Live Cricket Score: England vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 4

9 months ago 131

JUST IN - England have been dealt a blow ahead of the start of play as Mark Wood will not take the field on Day 4 due to a right thigh muscle injury. Wood, who walked off the field late yesterday, will continue to be assessed by the England medical team.

Mathews couldn’t capitalise on his lifeline, but Mendis continued to battle, keeping Sri Lanka’s hopes alive. Having returned with a clear X-ray, Chandimal came back to the crease and, along with Mendis, guided Sri Lanka through to the close of play with a lead of 82 runs. Today, the visitors face two key challenges - first, surviving the crucial first hour, and then handling the second new ball, which is 20 overs away. England, on the other hand, will be eager to dismiss these two set batters and get a crack at the tail with the new red cherry. Stick around as the first ball on Day 4 is not far away.

However, Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis showed immense grit, digging deep to erase the deficit and even push Sri Lanka into the lead. But as we’ve seen so often during this and the previous English summer, the replacement ball did a lot more than the previous one, and yesterday was no exception. However, the English fielders couldn’t fully back up their bowlers, giving reprieves to both Mathews and Mendis.

Jamie Smith’s maiden Test century was the standout performance for England, guiding them to a solid first-innings lead of 122 runs. In response, Sri Lanka were rocked early and suffered further setbacks as the English pacers chipped away at the wickets. The situation looked bleak for the visitors when Dinesh Chandimal had to walk off after taking a blow to his right thumb.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! Day 4 is upon us, and it could very well be the final day of this intriguing first Test. After three days of gripping action, England have their noses in front and will be confident of wrapping things up today. As for Sri Lanka, they aren’t completely out of the contest, but it will take a monumental effort to turn the tide in their favour.

.... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Day Three highlights

— englandcricket (@englandcricket)

Two balls later, however, part-time spinner Joe Root, completing Wood's over, induced tailender Milan Rathnayake (10) to hole out after the debutant paceman had made an impressive 72 in the first innings

But there was a worrying sign for England shortly before the close when express fast bowler Mark Wood, whose career has been blighted by injuries, went off two balls into his 11th over with what a team spokesman said was a right thigh problem

Jamie Smith broke a 94-year-old record by becoming the youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test century, with his 111 the cornerstone of England's first-innings 358

Sri Lanka were 204-6 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of this three-match series, a lead of 82 runs with just four wickets standing and two days left to play

England finally saw off Angelo Mathews as they pressed for victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford

The final hour of play saw England's bowlers struggle to maintain pressure. Milan Ratnayake then joined in and got off to a decent start. It felt like he could be able to repeat the heroics of the first innings, but it wasn't the case as Joe Root was forced to step up to fill the void, making an immediate impact by claiming his wicket on his second delivery. Yet, Mendis held firm, ensuring Sri Lanka reached stumps without further damage and with a lead of 82 runs. It was a captivating end to a day filled with ups and downs. England need early wickets at the start of Day 4 or this 82 can turn into a daunting total. For now, Sri Lanka will be delighted to get past that England score, looking at the way they started their innings. They will surely come out with an intent tomorrow morning as well, and the Lankan fans will pray that Chandimal is able to find his best form. To find out how things pan out, do join us at 10 am GMT, on 24th August 2024. ADIOS!

Dinesh Chandimal then joined Angelo Mathews at the crease, and the pair looked poised to take the game further away from England. They focused on rotating the strike, keeping the scoreboard ticking with well-placed singles and doubles. Just as things were starting to go in Sri Lanka’s favour, an unfortunate injury to Chandimal, caused by a nasty blow to his right hand, forced him to retire hurt with a swollen finger. Despite the setback, Mathews maintained his composure and found another capable partner in Kamindu Mendis. Together, they put together the highest partnership of the innings, adding 78 crucial runs.

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Sri Lanka’s innings began on a shaky note, with their top order struggling against the new ball. The early pressure saw them falter, but experienced campaigners Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne took charge, stabilizing the innings. The duo forged a vital 51-run partnership, setting a solid foundation for the middle order. However, their promising stand was cut short when Mark Wood caught Dimuth Karunaratne by surprise with a sharp bouncer, breaking the partnership just as it seemed to be taking root.

Uff! What a way to end the moving day. Dinesh Chandimal got retired hurt and then came back at the fag end to make sure his side head back into the dressing room with some momentum on their side.

Score after

overs

204 - 6

Dinesh Chandimal 20 (28)
Kamindu Mendis 56 (109)

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! What a way to end the day! Sri Lanka are fighting as hard as they can and end the day with a lead of 82! With the fielders in the circle, Bashir bowls this fuller and on off and middle. Dinesh Chandimal takes a step out and lofts the delivery over the mid on region for a boundary.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Short of a length on middle and leg. Dinesh Chandimal flicks it towards square leg.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Full-length delivery on middle. Dinesh Chandimal clips it towards short mid-wicket for no runs.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Flatter on off. Dinesh Chandimal lunges and works it across the line towards mid on.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, 200 up for Sri Lanka! On a length and around off. Dinesh Chandimal drives it towards the gap at covers and gets a couple of runs.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller delivery on middle. Dinesh Chandimal tickles it towards square leg for no runs.

Score after

overs

198 - 6

Kamindu Mendis 56 (109)
Dinesh Chandimal 14 (22)

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, Fuller length delivery on middle. Kamindu Mendis nudges it towards mid on.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, Good-length delivery on middle and leg. Kamindu Mendis clips it towards square leg.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, A bit slower now, on a length just outside off and shaping it in. Kamindu Mendis works across the line towards his leg side.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, Short of a length outside off. Kamindu Mendis dabs it towards cover for no runs.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, Pitches up on off. Kamindu Mendis presses forward to perform a defense.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, Fullish delivery outside off. Kamindu Mendis covers the stump and steers it towards backward point for no runs.

Score after

overs

198 - 6

Dinesh Chandimal 14 (22)
Kamindu Mendis 56 (103)

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Full and on off. Dinesh Chandimal gets behind the line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Flatter and fuller outside off. Dinesh Chandimal prods and drives it gently through the cover region towards sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up fuller on off. Dinesh Chandimal leans on the delivery and eases it down.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, A bit fuller on middle. Dinesh Chandimal lunges and eases it back to the bowler.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Drags his length back down the leg. Dinesh Chandimal hangs back and flicks it towards square leg.

Shoaib Bashir to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller and just outside off. Dinesh Chandimal drives it towards mid on.

Score after

overs

196 - 6

Kamindu Mendis 56 (103)
Dinesh Chandimal 12 (16)

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, On a length just outside off. Kamindu Mendis eases it outside off.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! He gets it this time! Good-length delivery, angling outside off. Kamindu Mendis slaps it perfectly from the middle of his bat with the perfect timing through the gates of cover and point to continue his count of boundaries. Sri Lanka's lead now goes up to 74 runs.

Matthew Potts to Kamindu Mendis, On a length outside off. Kamindu Mendis looks to slap but connects the inner edge to it. The ball bounces towards short cover.

Matthew Potts to Dinesh Chandimal, Back of a length down the leg. Dinesh Chandimal pulls it from the inner part of his bat towards deep fine leg for a single.

Matthew Potts to Dinesh Chandimal, Short of a length just outside off. Dinesh Chandimal ducks quickly and allows the ball to travel to the keeper.

Matthew Potts to Dinesh Chandimal, Back of a length just outside off. Dinesh Chandimal hops and dabs it down.

Score after

overs

191 - 6

Kamindu Mendis 52 (100)
Dinesh Chandimal 11 (13)

Joe Root to Kamindu Mendis, Full and outside off. Kamindu Mendis drives it towards mid off.

Joe Root to Dinesh Chandimal, Darts this one full and on the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal jams it to the on side and gets a single.

Great signs! Dinesh Chandimal walks back to bat after getting his scans done and cleared earlier.

Joe Root to Milan Rathnayake, OUT! CAUGHT! Joe Root gets the job done! Root bowls fuller outside off. Milan Rathnayake makes a big stride to heave it with the turn but fails to get the proper connection. The ball goes high up in the air and towards long off region, where Ben Duckett settles himself under the skier and takes an easy catch. Milan Rathnayake has to depart for 10 runs off 15 deliveries.

Joe Root to Milan Rathnayake, Flatter and fuller just outside off. Milan Rathnayake lunges and eases it down.

Mark Wood seems to have pulled a muscle midway through the run-up. Oh dear, off he goes! It doesn't look to be anything serious as he walks off. It will now be Joe Root to complete the rest of the over.

Mark Wood to Milan Rathnayake, On a length just outside off. Milan Rathnayake defends it towards cover.

Mark Wood to Milan Rathnayake, Hard-length delivery on middle, shaping it away. Milan Rathnayake punches it but straight to the short cover fielder.

Score after

overs

190 - 5