Jamie Smith edges England ahead of Sri Lanka: 1st Test, Day 2 (Manchester)

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith pushed England into a 23-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka in the first Test on a rain hit day.

Smith’s unbeaten 72 took the hosts to 259 for six in reply to Sri Lanka’s 236 all out; 23 runs ahead but with their lengthy tail having already begun.

England were bolstered by 56 from Harry Brook and 42 from Joe Root. Seamer Asitha Fernanda (3-68) kept Sri Lanka in the hunt.

Sri Lanka 236: Dhananjaya 74, Rathnayake 72; Woakes 3-32, Bashir 3-55 are 23 runs behind England 259-6: Smith 72*, Brook 56; A Fernando 3-68.

Aug 2024.