England takes charge on Day 3 of the 1st Test as Angelo Mathews falls at Old Trafford. © Twitter (@ESPNcricinfo)
The on going Test series between England and Sri Lanka has been nothing short of gripping, with each day bringing fresh twists and turns. As the two teams face off in the first Test at Old Trafford, Day 3 has proven to be a crucial point in the match, where England solidified their grip on the game, leaving Sri Lanka with a steep hill to climb. Stellar performances, unfortunate injuries, and a relentless battle for supremacy marked the day.
England’s Dominance with the Bat
The day began with England resuming their innings at 259-6, a position that already had them in the driver’s seat with a significant lead. Playing in just his fourth Test, Jamie Smith was the focal point of England’s batting. Unbeaten on 72 overnight, the young wicketkeeper-batsman was eager to convert his start into a memorable hundred.
Smith’s innings was a masterclass in patience, technique, and determination. Having narrowly missed out on a century in his previous Test match against the West Indies, where he scored 95, Smith would not let this opportunity slip away. He drove Asitha Fernando’s first ball of the day down the ground with authority, signaling his intent. His cover drives were a treat, embodying the elegance that has become a hallmark of English batsmanship.
It wasn’t long before Smith reached his maiden Test century, a moment met with loud cheers from the crowd and his teammates. Reaching the milestone off 136 balls, with seven fours and a six, Smith etched his name into the records by becoming the youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred at 24 and 40 days old. He surpassed the long-standing record of Les Ames, who had set the mark 94 years ago against the West Indies.
Smith’s innings eventually came to an end at 111, but by then, the damage was done. England had amassed 358 runs, securing a commanding first-innings lead of 122. Sri Lanka was now responsible for a strong response, but the challenge was daunting.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles Against England’s Seamers
Sri Lanka’s reply got off to a nightmarish start. With just 15 minutes to bat before the lunch interval, England’s bowlers smelled blood. The seasoned Chris Woakes and the fiery Gus Atkinson tore into Sri Lanka’s top order, reducing them to a precarious 1-2 in no time. Nishan Madushka was the first to go, falling to a Woakes delivery that nipped back sharply. The pressure was unrelenting, and soon after, Kusal Mendis followed, edging a low ball from Atkinson to Smith, who quickly completed the catch.
Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble, but as has often been the case over the years, they turned to their experienced campaigner, Angelo Mathews. The veteran all-rounder, who had a torrid first innings where he was dismissed for a duck, walked in with the weight of his nation’s hopes resting on his shoulders.
Mathews, known for his gritty and determined style, began the rescue act. He was cautious at first, aware that another quick wicket could spell disaster for his team. But as he settled in, Mathews started to play his shots, showing the kind of form that had seen him guide Sri Lanka to a famous series win in England back in 2014.
A Glimmer of Hope Mathews and Kamindu Mendis
Sri Lanka’s fightback was a collaborative effort. Kamindu Mendis, a talented young batsman, provided solid support to Mathews. Together, they weathered the storm, slowly but steadily building a partnership that frustrated England’s bowlers. Mathews, in particular, showed his class with a towering six off Shoaib Bashir, and later, Kamindu Mendis matched him by launching Mark Wood over deep square leg.
England’s bowlers, however, remained relentless. Despite their efforts, Mathews and Kamindu Mendis enjoyed some luck, being dropped by Matthew Potts, who was unlucky to miss out on both occasions. But Mathews’ luck eventually ran out. After a valiant 65, he was dismissed when Chris Woakes induced a loose shot that saw Mathews caught at point. It was a crucial wicket that swung the pendulum back in England’s favor.
At stumps, Sri Lanka were 204-6, with Kamindu Mendis unbeaten on 56 and Dinesh Chandimal, who had retired hurt earlier, on 20. The situation was precarious for Sri Lanka, trailing by just 82 runs with only four wickets. On the other hand, England was firmly in command, eyeing a potential victory with two days left in the Test.
Concerns for England Mark Wood’s Injury
While England had much to celebrate, there was a worrying sign just before the close of play. Mark Wood, whose career has been plagued by injuries, went off the field after bowling just two balls into his 11th over. Wood had been a critical component of England’s bowling attack, generating fearsome pace and bounce that had troubled Sri Lanka’s batters throughout the match.
His departure left England with a potential headache. Although Joe Root, stepping in as a part-time spinner, managed to complete Wood’s over and even took a wicket, the sight of Wood leaving the field would have been a concern for the England camp. Wood’s fitness has always been a topic of discussion, and his absence in the crucial final innings could be a significant blow to England’s chances of wrapping up the match quickly.