Anam News September 14, 2024 ‣ 14

De Silva and Rathnayake Lead Sri Lanka's Remarkable Revival Against England

MANCHESTER:

The first Test match between Sri Lanka and England at Old Trafford kicked off with a gripping day of cricket, marked by a dramatic top-order collapse and an inspiring recovery by the visitors. After Sri Lanka found themselves in a dire situation at 6-3 within the first few overs, it was the composed leadership of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and the surprising heroics of debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake that turned the tide. Their contributions helped Sri Lanka post a respectable total of 236, setting the stage for an intriguing contest over the next few days.

Sri Lanka’s Early Collapse: A Nightmare Start

The day began under overcast skies, with Sri Lanka winning the toss and electing to bat first. However, what followed was nothing short of a nightmare for the visitors. England’s new-ball bowlers, led by Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson, exploited the conditions perfectly, reducing Sri Lanka to 6-3 in just ten balls.

Dimuth Karunaratne:

The Sri Lankan captain, known for his solid technique, was the first to fall. In the sixth over, Karunaratne top-edged a hook off Atkinson, with the ball flying straight to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. It was a poor shot selection given the situation, and Karunaratne’s early departure set the tone for the collapse.

Nishan Madushka:

The other opener, Madushka, followed soon after. Driving loosely at an outswinger from Woakes, he edged the ball to Joe Root at first slip, departing for just four runs. This was a crucial blow, as Madushka had been expected to anchor the innings alongside Karunaratne.
Angelo Mathews:
The most experienced player in the Sri Lankan lineup, Mathews, was the third wicket to fall. He was trapped plumb lbw by a delivery from Woakes that nipped back off the pitch. Mathews didn’t even offer a shot, compounding the pressure on Sri Lanka.

At 6-3, Sri Lanka’s top-order had crumbled, and it seemed like they were heading for a total well below 100. England’s bowlers, particularly Woakes and Atkinson, were relentless, maintaining tight lines and extracting movement from the pitch.

The Fightback: De Silva and Rathnayake Steady the Ship

Amidst the ruins, Dhananjaya de Silva walked in with the responsibility of rescuing his team from an embarrassing situation. Known for his ability to handle pressure, De Silva played a captain’s innings, combining grit with occasional flair to push Sri Lanka towards a respectable total.

Dhananjaya de Silva’s Innings:

De Silva’s approach was a blend of caution and aggression. He carefully navigated the early onslaught, playing the ball late and under his eyes. His first significant scoring shot, a commanding pull off Atkinson, signaled his intent to fight back. De Silva reached his fifty in just 56 balls, a testament to his ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries even in challenging conditions.

De Silva’s innings wasn’t without its challenges. He was given a reprieve on 65 when Jamie Smith missed a difficult stumping chance off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir. However, he couldn’t capitalize much longer, as he eventually fell for 74, turning a quicker ball from Bashir straight to Dan Lawrence at leg slip. His dismissal left Sri Lanka at 176-8, still far from a competitive total.

Milan Rathnayake’s Debut Heroics:

Rathnayake, making his Test debut, walked in with Sri Lanka in deep trouble. Known more for his fast bowling, Rathnayake’s batting came as a pleasant surprise. He played with maturity beyond his years, mixing solid defense with aggressive stroke play. His 96-ball 72 was highlighted by powerful drives and a memorable six off Bashir that took Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.

Rathnayake’s innings was crucial in lifting Sri Lanka’s spirits. He farmed the strike well, shielded the tailenders, and managed to find the boundary regularly. His partnership with De Silva, worth 63 runs, was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s fightback. Rathnayake eventually fell to Bashir, caught at mid-on by Woakes, but not before giving Sri Lanka a total that their bowlers could work with.

England’s Bowling Performance: Clinical and Relentless

England’s bowlers, despite facing a spirited fightback, were clinical throughout the day. Chris Woakes led the attack with figures of 3-32, his early breakthroughs setting the tone for the day. Woakes was well-supported by Atkinson, who claimed 2-48, and the young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who ended with 3-55.

Chris Woakes: Woakes was the pick of the bowlers, using his experience to exploit the swinging conditions perfectly. His ability to move the ball both ways troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen, and his double strike in the seventh over removed any momentum Sri Lanka had gained early on.
Gus Atkinson: Atkinson, playing in only his second Test, showed promise with his pace and bounce. He troubled the batsmen with short-pitched deliveries and was rewarded with the crucial wicket of Karunaratne. His ability to maintain pressure complemented Woakes well.

Shoaib Bashir: The 20-year-old off-spinner Bashir was impressive, particularly in the latter stages of the innings. He varied his pace and flight, causing problems for the lower-order batsmen. His dismissal of De Silva was a key moment in the match, and his overall figures reflected a mature performance in only his third Test match.

A Poignant Tribute to Graham Thorpe

Before the match began, a minute’s applause was observed in memory of former England cricketer and assistant coach Graham Thorpe, who tragically passed away earlier this month. Thorpe, a stalwart of English cricket, was remembered for his contributions both on and off the field. Both teams, along with the match officials, wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

Thorpe’s death at the age of 55, reportedly by suicide following a long battle with depression, cast a shadow over the day’s proceedings. The tribute was a somber reminder of the impact he had on the game, and the respect he commanded from players and fans alike.

England’s Response: A Steady Start

After dismissing Sri Lanka for 236, England had a tricky period to navigate before the close of play. Openers Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence, the latter filling in for the injured Zak Crawley, saw out the four overs without much trouble, taking England to 22-0.

Ben Duckett: Duckett, who has been in good form, looked solid in his brief stay at the crease. He picked up 13 runs with a couple of well-timed shots, showing confidence against the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Dan Lawrence: Lawrence, returning to the Test side, looked composed and ended the day on 9 not out. His ability to adapt quickly will be crucial for England as they look to build a substantial first-innings lead.

The day ended with bad light forcing an early close, leaving England in a strong position with all ten wickets intact. The conditions are expected to remain challenging, and how England’s batsmen handle the swing and seam movement will be crucial.

Looking Ahead: Day Two and Beyond

With England at 22-0 and still trailing by 214 runs, the match is finely poised. Sri Lanka’s bowlers will need to strike early on Day Two if they are to keep their team in the contest. The onus will be on the likes of Rathnayake and Jayasuriya to make the most of the early morning conditions and apply pressure on England’s top order.

England, on the other hand, will aim to bat long and bat big. With the likes of Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook to come, they have the depth to build a commanding first-innings total. The first session on Day Two will be crucial in determining the direction of the match.

Scorecard

SRI LANKA (1st Innings):

N. Madushka c Root b Woakes: 4
D. Karunaratne c Smith b Atkinson: 2
K. Mendis c Brook b Wood: 24
A. Mathews lbw b Woakes: 0
D. Chandimal lbw b Bashir: 17
D. de Silva c Lawrence b Bashir: 74
K.M. Mendis c Smith b Woakes: 12
P. Jayasuriya c Smith b Atkinson: 10
M. Rathnayake c Woakes b Bashir: 72
V. Fernando run out (Smith): 13
A. Fernando not out: 0
Extras: (B-4, NB-1, W-3): 8
TOTAL: (all out, 74 overs): 236

Fall of Wickets:
1-6 (Karunaratne), 2-6 (Madushka), 3-6 (Mathews), 4-40 (K Mendis), 5-72 (Chandimal), 6-92 (K.M. Mendis), 7-113 (Jayasuriya), 8-176 (De Silva), 9-226 (Rathnayake)

Bowling:

Woakes: 11-3-32-3
Atkinson: 16-3-48-2 (1nb, 3w)
Potts: 9-0-48-0
Wood: 8-0-31-1
Bashir: 23-4-55-3
Root: 7-2-18-0

ENGLAND (1st Innings):

B. Duckett not out: 13
D. Lawrence not out: 9
TOTAL: (for no loss, four overs): 22