ENG vs SL | Twitter reacts to Dhananjaya-Kamindu resilience shine amidst bowlers day out in London

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

09/07/2024

Sri Lankan bowlers were brilliant despite luck denying them chances at the first hour on the day. With Ollie Pope getting dismissed on 154, England’s tally ended at 325 before their bowlers picked up five quick wickets in the second session until Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis stood tall.

Sri Lanka employed an all-pace attack against the overnight batters Harry Brook and Ollie Pope. The latter already notched up a ton on the last day and opted for an aggressive route. Luck favoured the English side for the first half-an-hour amidst Brook’s dismissal in the 53rd over. Subsequently, Pope raced to a 150 before Chris Woakes followed suit with Jamie Smith in a space of 14 balls with England one run shy of 300. The tail failed to wag the English bowlers, losing their wickets in an attempt to play rash aerial strokes. Eventually, Pope fell prey to a similar approach as England lost six wickets in the last 55 balls to wrap up with 325 runs on board.

Sri Lanka came out to bat for an over before Lunch and Chris Woakes failed to induce a setback despite a special six fielder slip cordon.

Pathum Nissanka decided to give the Englishmen a taste of their own medicine as he played an attacking brand of cricket despite Dimuth Karunratne’s run out in the seventh over. His partners, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews couldn’t add much to the Lankan scoreboard. Nissanka departed in the next over after a well-tailored 51-ball 64, followed by Dinesh Chandimal falling to Olly Stone further dented the Lankan batting. With 93/5 on board, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis withstood the opposition attack until the 28th over with Sri Lanka’s score reading 142/5 at the stroke of Tea.

Both Dhananjaya and Kamindu kept nurdling the English bowlers at the start of the third session. Even the introduction of spin didn’t make any difference witb the pair steering Sri Lanka to the 200-run mark. Both batters got to their respective fifties before the match officials paused the play due to badlight. Eventually, the day’s game didn’t resume as Sri Lanka strand at 211/5 in 45 overs, trailing by 114 runs.

New spinner in town

Chris Woakes bowling spin#กามิน         
— Ganesh saran (@Ganeshsara79811)

Spinning

Chris woakes is bowling spin.😲
— Pragnesh Patel (@Pragnesh1935)

History created

Today's best cricket history story revolves around Ollie Pope's remarkable achievement in Test cricket. On September 6, 2024, during the third Test against Sri Lanka at Kennington Oval, Ollie Pope became the first cricketer in the 147-year history of Test cricket to score his…
— Shubham Tiwari (@shubham84777556)

Best bat

Ollie pope was the best bat on the county scene, ducket had shown it as well, how many of those other bazball picks have actually stuck. Moeen didnt do much in ashes many havent been seen since.
— Root and stem (@JV78078172)

Giving easy runs

England and Ollie Pope are foolish, giving away east runs....bowling spin due to light conditions...may regret on day 3-4.
— Srikanth (@srikanthan09)

Nothing short

Ollie Pope’s captaincy is nothing short of horrendous! Terrible fields allowing boundaries constantly and now continuing with the spinners despite it not working!
— Charlie Sanford (@CharlieSanford1)

Can watch in a loop