England took a commanding position on the first day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford. Despite losing the toss and being asked to bowl, England’s bowlers made early inroads, reducing Sri Lanka to 80-5 by lunch. Sri Lanka managed to recover somewhat, posting a total of 236 before being bowled out. England’s openers then safely navigated the remaining overs of the day, ending at 22-0.
Early Dominance by England’s Bowlers
England’s bowlers were on fire from the start. Chris Woakes and Mark Wood exploited the conditions perfectly, taking early wickets and putting Sri Lanka on the back foot. Woakes was particularly impressive, swinging the ball both ways and troubling all the batsmen. By lunch, Sri Lanka was reeling at 80-5, with their top order back in the pavilion.
The middle order tried to stabilize the innings, but England’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Mark Wood’s pace and Woakes’ accuracy were too much for the Sri Lankan batsmen. The visitors struggled to build any significant partnerships, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Sri Lanka’s lower order showed some resistance, but it was not enough. England’s bowlers wrapped up the innings quickly, with Woakes finishing as the pick of the bowlers. Sri Lanka was all out for 236, a total that seemed below par on a good batting pitch.
Sri Lanka’s Middle Order Fights Back
After the early collapse, Sri Lanka’s middle order showed some fight. Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal put together a crucial partnership, adding valuable runs and frustrating the English bowlers. De Silva played some exquisite shots, while Chandimal provided solid support.
The partnership between De Silva and Chandimal was the highlight of Sri Lanka’s innings. They rotated the strike well and punished the loose deliveries. Their efforts helped Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position and post a somewhat respectable total.
However, just as Sri Lanka seemed to be gaining momentum, England struck back. Mark Wood returned to the attack and broke the partnership, dismissing De Silva with a brilliant delivery. Chandimal followed soon after, and Sri Lanka’s lower order could not offer much resistance.
England’s Openers Steady the Ship
With a modest target to chase, England’s openers came out with a positive intent. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett looked solid at the crease, playing some beautiful shots and rotating the strike well. They ensured that England did not lose any wickets before the close of play.
Crawley was particularly impressive, driving the ball elegantly and finding the gaps with ease. Duckett provided excellent support, and the duo looked comfortable against the Sri Lankan bowlers. By the end of the day, England had reached 22-0, putting themselves in a strong position.
The first day belonged to England, with their bowlers setting the tone and the openers consolidating the advantage. Sri Lanka will need to come up with a better plan on the second day if they are to make a comeback in this Test match.