England in command of first Test against Sri Lanka as Mathews falls
Updated On: 24 August, 2024 08:59 AM IST | Manchester | AFP
Two balls later, however, part-time spinner Joe Root, completing Wood`s over, induced tailender Milan Rathnayake (10) to hole out after the debutant paceman had made an impressive 72 in the first innings
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Sri Lanka`s Angelo Mathews on day three of the first Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester, north-west England. Pic/AFP
England finally saw off Angelo Mathews as they pressed for victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford on Friday. Sri Lanka were 204-6 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of this three-match series, a lead of 82 runs with just four wickets standing and two days left to play. Earlier, Jamie Smith broke a 94-year-old record by becoming the youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test century, with his 111 the cornerstone of England`s first-innings 358. But there was a worrying sign for England shortly before the close when express fast bowler Mark Wood, whose career has been blighted by injuries, went off two balls into his 11th over with what a team spokesman said was a right thigh problem.
Two balls later, however, part-time spinner Joe Root, completing Wood`s over, induced tailender Milan Rathnayake (10) to hole out after the debutant paceman had made an impressive 72 in the first innings. Sri Lanka were in dire trouble at 1-2 before lunch on Friday after conceding a first-innings deficit of over a hundred runs. But Mathews, out for a duck in Sri Lanka`s first-innings 236, kept England at bay with a fine 65 while receiving sound support from Kamindu Mendis (56 not out). Dinesh Chandimal, who retired hurt on 10 after a 93 mph (149 kmh) delivery from Wood smashed into his right thumb, was unbeaten on 20. "There`s not loads in the wicket, I think it`s going to be quite attritional," Smith told the BBC. "But we`re very happy with six wickets and they`re not too far ahead. "I think we`re in a good position."
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