England vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 1 LIVE Score and Updates: England host Sri Lanka in the second Test of the three-match series at Lord’s Cricket Ground. After a hard-fought first Test, tensions will be high after Sri Lanka batter Angelo Mathews blamed their loss on an unprecedented ball change mid-innings. England will welcome pacer Olly Stone back to Test cricket after a three year absence, as he replaces the injured Mark Wood. This series remains crucial for the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25 standings, with England currently in fourth spot, and Sri Lanka in fifth. (Live Scorecard)
Here are the LIVE Updates from the England vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 1, straight from the Lord’s Cricket Ground:
- Right then, that is it from an exciting Day 1 of this 2nd Test. England have the upper hand and will want to keep the pressure on the visitors. Sri Lanka will need their batters to step up to challenge the hosts. Day 2 will begin on 30th August, Friday at 10 am GMT, but you can join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!
- !Sri Lanka went into the final session in a good position but standing on their way was Root as they threw everything at him, but nothing broke him down. Not only that, but he went on to equal the record of Alastair Cook for most centuries by an English batter in Tests. Woakes couldn’t stick around for long as Kumara sent him back, but Root was just on another level. He also found a good partner in Gus Atkinson who is mainly known for his bowling, but came in and attacked the Lankans from ball one and forced his way to his highest individual Test score. Together, they were racking up the runs quite quickly and added 92 runs in no time which pushed the total over 300. Just as they were looking all settled, Root went for his trademark reverse scoop but lost his wicket in the process on 143 runs. Atkinson soon notched up his maiden Test half-century and the hosts have the early advantage in this game. Atkinson remained unbeaten on 74 while Potts also added crucial 20 runs towards the end.
- !The second session saw Root and Brook upping the scoring rate, looking comfortable at the crease. However, their momentum was halted when Fernando trapped Brook LBW, ending his promising start. Root, unaffected by his partner’s departure, continued to bat with confidence, enjoying a bit of luck along the way. He reached his 65th Test fifty and then shifted gears, playing more aggressively. Jamie Smith, who has impressed since his debut, struggled initially but managed to play some attractive shots before being dismissed by Milan Rathnayake. Root and Smith’s partnership added 62 runs, bringing England’s total close to 200 as the teams headed into the Tea break.
- !After winning the toss, Sri Lanka made a surprising decision to bowl first, as teams generally prefer to bat at Lord’s. However, the Sri Lankan pacers made the most of the conditions, securing an early breakthrough. Lahiru Kumara set the tone by forcing a nick from Dan Lawrence, justifying his inclusion in the match. Asitha Fernando then dismissed England’s skipper, who never looked settled at the crease. Joe Root came in and looked solid from the outset, forming a steady partnership with Ben Duckett. However, Duckett’s attempt to take on the spinner led to his dismissal. Jayasuriya was brought in for a single over, and it paid off as Duckett, after getting a good start, was caught on 40, leaving him disappointed at missing the opportunity to convert it into a bigger score. Despite this, Root and Harry Brook ensured there were no further losses before Lunch, stabilizing England’s innings.
- !After being put in to bat, England faced some early challenges, mainly with batters failing to convert their starts into significant scores. However, the positive was that the scoreboard kept moving, largely thanks to Joe Root ’s brilliant form. Root navigated through the tough periods and was the standout performer on Day 1, showcasing his class with a superb innings and reaching his 33rd Test century. Sri Lanka started strong with the ball but gradually lost their edge as the day progressed, allowing England to capitalize and push their total well past 300, with Root making a whopping 143.
- 87.60Asitha Fernando to Matthew PottsA harmless nut to end the day! Outside off. Good length. Left alone. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 1!
- 87.50Asitha Fernando to Matthew PottsOn the stumps. Potts gets right behind the line and plays it to cover.
- 87.40Asitha Fernando to Matthew PottsLength and outside off. Left alone.
- 87.31Asitha Fernando to Gus AtkinsonFuller and on middle. This is hit down to long on for one.
- 87.20Asitha Fernando to Gus AtkinsonOn middle. Good length. Blocked.
- 87.14Asitha Fernando to Gus AtkinsonFOUR! Pulled away! Goes short and on middle. This is pulled hard through mid-wicket. It races away to the fence.
- 86.60Prabath Jayasuriya to Matthew PottsAround off. Potts pushes it to cover again.
- 86.50Prabath Jayasuriya to Matthew PottsFlatter and on off. Blocked.
- 86.40Prabath Jayasuriya to Matthew PottsOn middle. Defended.
- 86.31Prabath Jayasuriya to Gus AtkinsonFuller and on off. Atkinson hits it down to long off and gets to the other end.
- 86.20Prabath Jayasuriya to Gus AtkinsonOn middle. Kept out well.
- 86.11Prabath Jayasuriya to Matthew PottsFuller and on off. This is pushed down to long off for one.
- !Change? Yes, Prabath Jayasuriya(24-2-79-1) rejoins the attack. We will see some spin with the new ball.
- 85.60Asitha Fernando to Gus AtkinsonOn off. On a length. Kept out.
- 85.52Asitha Fernando to Gus AtkinsonTwo! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket. Two taken.
