Dhananjaya inspires recovery after early SL collapse: 1st Test, Day 1 (Manchester)

England were on top after bowling out Sri Lanka for 236.

Sri Lanka were in dire straits at 6-3 after they won the toss, losing their first three wickets for no runs in 10 balls.

Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva ensured a recovery as he top scored with 74. He added 63 for the eighth wicket with Milan Rathnayake, the seam bowler playing his first Test. Rathnayake posted 72; the highest score ever made by a number nine on Test debut.

Ben Duckett and Lawrence, recalled in place of the injured Zak Crawley, guided England to 0-22 before bad light ended play.

Sri Lanka 236: Dhananjaya 74, Rathnayake 72; Woakes 3-32, Bashir 3-55 lead England 22-0: Duckett 13* by 214 runs.

Aug 2024.