Ollie PopeBrilliant direct hit dismissed the Sri Lankan shortstop Lahiru Kumara for a duck on day 2 of the Lord’s Test. Sri Lanka’s first innings ended with a disappointing score of 196 in 55.3 overs, giving England a commanding lead of 231 runs.
after Joe Root’s century on Day 1 helped England reach 358/7 at stumps, Gus AtkinsonThe maiden Test century pushed England to 425 at the start. After his innings, England’s pacers shared the spoils, with each of the four front-line bowlers taking two wickets, leaving Sri Lanka in shambles.
Ollie Pope’s stunning direct hit ends Lahiru Kumara’s long run
Pope’s sharp fielding added to Sri Lanka’s woes. In the last ball of the 55th over, Pope executed a brilliant direct hit to run out Kumara, who had endured a 22-ball struggle without scoring. Kumara, looking to spin the shot, went for a run behind Kamindu Mendis postponed Olly Stonedelivery towards square leg. However, Kamindu was focused on holding the strike and did not respond to Kumara’s call. Pope, facing square leg, took his time to score and took a pinpoint shot at the non-striker’s end, catching a diving Kumara well short of his crease. The attempt to strike for agriculture failed and Kumara was left lying on the ground disappointed.
Here’s the video:
There’s ice running through Ollie Pope’s veins 🧊 pic.twitter.com/IYJaRn7iep
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2024
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England’s bowlers keep Sri Lanka in check
Kumara’s dismissal was the ninth wicket to fall, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 195. They managed to add just one more run before being bowled out, capping off a disappointing batting display. Mendis was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, scoring a brave 74 off 120 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. He was the last man out, miscuing a shot from Atkinson to end the innings.
England’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout Sri Lanka’s innings. Chris WoakesAtkinson, Stone and Matthew Potts each took two wickets, while the young man was out Shoaib Bashir claimed one. By the end of Day 2, England had extended their lead to 256 runs, finishing at 25/1 in their second innings. Dan Lawrence (7) was the only wicket to fall, adjudged caught behind Kumara as Sri Lanka successfully revised the fielding decision.
