- England ended day two of the primary Take a look at vs Sri Lanka on 259-6, 23 runs forward
- Harry Brook and Jamie Smith each hit half-centuries on a rain-affected day
England narrowly edged forward of Sri Lanka on a rain-affected second day of the primary Take a look at at Outdated Trafford.
Starting on 22-0, England discovered themselves in a spot of hassle at 67-3 when Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence have been all dismissed cheaply.
Nevertheless, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith each struck half centuries and good contributions from Joe Root and Chris Woakes helped Ollie Pope’s aspect to shut the day on 259-6, giving them a 23-run lead.
Smith ended 72 not out because the wicketkeeper scored his third 50 in simply the fourth Take a look at match of his profession.
Right here, Mail Sport columnist DAVID ‘BUMBLE’ LLOYD takes you thru a number of the tales you will have missed from day two in Manchester.
England ended day two of the primary Take a look at in opposition to Sri Lanka on 259-6, 23 runs forward
Harry Brook hit an aesthetic half-century as England recovered from a slight early wobble at 67-3
Jamie Smith additionally continued his burgeoning Take a look at profession and ended the day on 72 not out
Belief me to ring bell proper
I acquired a late name to ring the bell on Thursday morning at Emirates Outdated Trafford.
Each time I do it, it jogs my memory of after I was a younger lad within the second staff dressing room and the coach stated to one of many kids to go and ring the bell to sign the beginning of play.
Nothing occurred. 5 minutes later, the door opened and the lad got here staggering in with this bell. The coach checked out him and stated: ’I advised you to ring it, not carry it!’
I acquired a late name to ring the bell to mark the beginning of the second day’s play on Thursday morning
Golden age of conkers
The present sport crazes which are sweeping the world embody wall climbing and breakdancing.
You may win Olympic Medals for them. In 4 years time, I’d not be stunned if Disguise and Search, Hopscotch and Conkers gongs are up for grabs.
Assault is within the genes
When play ultimately began after lunch, it was clear that it was a day for bowling and England misplaced early wickets.
It’s within the DNA of those gamers to assault however in these circumstances, do you counter or watch out? In yesteryear, it will at all times be the cautious method and defending your wicket. Not with this technology.
These England gamers are determined to assault early on, however it was clearly bowling circumstances
Solutions on a postcard…
Within the splendidly named Bumble’s Legends’ Lounge, I gave the company a quiz query yesterday. Which two Lancashire cricketers additionally performed in a Wembley cup closing?
One performed for Aston Villa and the opposite performed for Manchester Metropolis. Solutions on a postcard please.
Nobody has acquired it up to now and I’ve advised them that they have to not look on the nice outdated Google. I shall reveal tomorrow.
Silver lining
I used to be very impressed with Sri Lanka who play little or no Take a look at cricket. They used the circumstances so nicely – their subject placings have been imaginative and the tempo of the bowlers was excellent.
It’s not categorical tempo however in these circumstances, with a little bit of cloud and moisture, it was completely excellent.
England struggled to get away from them and that is growing into an excellent Take a look at match.
I used to be very impressed on Thursday with Sri Lanka regardless of the very fact they play little Take a look at cricket
Shy Gus makes assertion
We’ve got had some nice haircuts through the years with English cricketers. Each Jimmy Anderson and Kevin Pietersen had streaks of their hair.
I believed they have been adorning the ceiling and acquired caught on the high with some whitewash however it was the type of the day.
Enter Gus Atkinson who has gone for a bleach blonde look. For a really shy lad, he’s expressing himself with a really natty and a really jazzy haircut. Although he hasn’t acquired the zigzags accomplished but…
Gus Atkinson is a really shy lad, however he’s expressing himself together with his bleach blonde haircut
Hundred and 20?
The Hundred has concluded and the arguments proceed to rage as to the impact of the match.
My talkSPORT colleague, Jarrod Kimber is satisfied that when the non-public funding is available in, the 100-ball format will revert to T20.
As a result of that’s what all of the house owners will need – the longer recreation and never the shorter recreation. Watch this house.
