‌ENG vs SL | Twitter reacts to Root masterclass and blazing Atkinson keep visitors at bay on opening day

Losing the toss and being sent to bat first was welcomed with open arms by England skipper Ollie Pope on the eve of the second Test at Lord’s. While Dan Lawrence and Ben Duckett tried to play their strokes against the new ball, the early introduction of returnee Lahiru Kumara paid off as the speedster removed Dan Lawrence in the seventh over followed by Asitha Fernando’s change of ends to get rid of Ollie Pope in the first hour of play. Irrespective of the setbacks, Ben Duckett (40) continued his flourish with the bat before the introduction of spin baited him at deep point in an attempt of a reverse sweep. With Harry Brook joining Joe Root, the pair orchestrated singles and doubles for the last half-an-hour before Lunch, setting up 97 runs in 23 overs for the loss of three wickets. 

Subsequently, Brook and Root tried to hang around for the first half of the second innings, looking smooth with their stroke selections. However, Asitha got the Duke to swing around and a nip-backer caught Brook off guard for 33. While Root looked solid like a rock and kept ticking the scoreboard, surpassing his 65th fifty in Test, Jamie Smith seemed struggling occasionally. He was soon removed for 21 by Milan Ratnayake before Chris Woakes joined the former England captain until Tea with the score reading 200/5 in 53 overs. 

While Woakes and Root withstood the barrage of short balls from Lahiru Kumara for a brief period, the bowler had the last laugh over the pace-bowling all-rounder in the 59th over. Soon, Root faced twelve dots to convert a nervy ninety-nine to 33rd Test century, equalising the tally with Sir Alastair Cook as England’s top Test centurions. In his support, Gus Atkinson showed his class with the bat by producing some extraordinary lofted strokes, cover drives, and whips. The duo added 92 runs for the seventh wicket to steer England past the 300-run mark. However, the partnership came ended with Root dismissing for 143 after a reverse scoop attempt 15 balls prior to the second new ball’s avaialibiity. But the tourists failed to capitalise on the second new ball as Matthew Potts and Atkinson added unbridled 50 runs at Stumps Day 1 with England’s score reflecting 358/7.

Really great!

Great shots by Gus Atinkson.

— Dr. Muhammad Moor (@MoarSahitoPTI) 

Great shots he has got!

Atinkson brings up his 50 in 61 balls

— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) 

Stumps!

ENG vs SL 2nd Test Day 1:

England 358/7 at stumps after Joe Root scored his 33rd test 💯 scoring 143. Besides Gus Atkinson unbeaten at 74 while Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara & Milan Rathnayake picks 2wkts each.    

— Sports Geeez (@Sportsgeeez) 

Let's see!

Will SL bounce back in this test match?  

— Hassan Janjua (@hassan_janjua1) 

Hmm!

Joe has exploited great channel bowlers a lot with the reverse sweep. 

Ashes 2023 vs boland, Cummins**

Root is Great test batter. 

— Rajveer (@Rajveerkap) 

Joe Root!

  

— SUNIL KUMAR (@SUNILKUMARPURI4) 

GOD!

No matter what if Root Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar he is not going to surpass the legacy of the Great Sachin Tendulkar!    

— Rahul Ahuja (@rahulahuja21) 

Great innings!

First test half-century for Gus Atkinson. 

— Yosef Mordechai Coleman (@yosecakes) 

LOL!

Finally Temba Bavuma Found His Competitor😂



Guess Who Is Winner Of This Contest?   

— Addy Boss 🇮🇳 (@addy__boss) 

Root should have not played that shot!

Ludicrous dismissal. Double hundred for the taking, new ball 2 overs away. It doesn't matter how many hundreds you've got, that was shite. 

— David Thomas (@TheParkChair)