Gus Atkinson and bowlers shine as England tighten their grip over Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the Lord’s Take a look at

Gus Atkinson‘s maiden Take a look at century set the stage for one more day of England‘s dominance at Lord’s, because the hosts posted a formidable 427 of their first innings on Day 2 of the Lord’s Take a look at. In response, Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 196, trailing by 231 runs, with solely Kamindu Mendis exhibiting important resistance. England opted towards imposing the follow-on, selecting as an alternative to bat once more, ending the day at 25/1 with a commanding lead of 256.

Kamindu Mendis stands tall amid Sri Lanka’s collapse

Mendis was the lone warrior for Sri Lanka, scoring a gritty 74 from 120 balls. His innings, which included eight fours and three sixes, helped Sri Lanka get well from a precarious 118/7, briefly lifting his Take a look at common again above 100. Regardless of his efforts, none of his teammates may muster greater than Dinesh Chandimal‘s 23, leaving Sri Lanka in a dire place on a pitch already exhibiting indicators of flip. Mendis’ innings was a testomony to his combating spirit. He took on the beforehand dominant England assault and gathered fast runs for his aspect. Nonetheless, his valiant effort was inadequate to avoid wasting Sri Lanka from a big first-innings deficit.

Kamindu Mendis put up a struggle with a cultured knock!#England #SriLanka #KaminduMendis #Take a look at #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EQctTBbBAN

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 30, 2024

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Gus Atkinson’s maiden century units the tone for England

Earlier, Atkinson resumed England’s innings on the second morning with a rating of 74 not out and wasted no time in reaching his hundred. His century got here off simply 103 balls, making it the sixth-fastest century in a Take a look at match at Lord’s. Atkinson’s innings was characterised by managed aggression, together with his knock together with back-to-back boundaries off Lahiru Kumara to start out the day. Though he was initially given out lbw by umpire Paul Reiffel, Atkinson efficiently reviewed the choice, with the ball lacking the leg stump.

From there, Atkinson continued to dominate, mentioning his century with a drive by means of long-off. His celebration, with a beaming smile and saluting all 4 corners of the bottom, was the one signal that this was no peculiar day for the younger cricketer. Matthew Potts supplied worthwhile help in an 85-run partnership for the eighth wicket earlier than Atkinson’s innings ended with a spectacular catch by Milan Rathnayake at deep midwicket.

England’s bowlers proceed to impress

Sri Lanka’s reply started poorly, with Nishan Madushka falling for 7 to Chris Woakes and Dimuth Karunaratne‘s poor type persevering with as he was bowled by Olly Stone for 7. Stone, returning to the Take a look at aspect after an extended absence, rapidly picked up his second wicket, dismissing Pathum Nissanka for 12. Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal tried to stabilize the innings, however Mathews was undone by a supply from Potts that nipped again to hit the highest of off stump. Dhananjaya de Silva fell for a duck, leaving Sri Lanka in serious trouble.

Atkinson continued his outstanding run at Lord’s by claiming Chandimal as his thirteenth wicket in lower than three innings, dismissing him for 23 with a catch at leg gully. Rathnayake briefly counter-attacked, however Stone and Woakes mixed to dismiss him and the remainder of the tail. Shoaib Bashir, making his first look at Lord’s, bowled brilliantly and finally dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya. Regardless of a late life for Mendis when Joe Root dropped a catch at deep sq. leg, England’s dominance was by no means unsure. They ended the day firmly in management, with Sri Lanka dealing with an uphill battle to keep away from a crushing defeat.

One other pleasant day at Lord’s 🥰 pic.twitter.com/Yt1t79Cxto

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2024

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