Jamie Smith’s remarkable maiden Test century on the third day of the Old Trafford Test provided England with a significant advantage over Sri Lanka. The day began with a crucial 66-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Smith and bowling allrounder Gus Atkinson, which laid the foundation for England’s continued dominance.
Smith’s composed knock of 111 off 148 balls, embellished with eight fours and a six, displayed maturity beyond his years. His partnership with Atkinson initially broke the visitors’ morale, as Sri Lanka were eager for early breakthroughs to curb England’s progress.
However, just when it seemed Sri Lanka might regain some control, debutant Milan Rathnayake brought them back into the contest by claiming the wicket of Atkinson. This dismissal disrupted Smith’s rhythm as well, leading to his eventual downfall after he became the youngest wicketkeeper-batter for England to score a Test century. Smith’s wicket fell when England’s score was at 315, setting the stage for Sri Lanka to quickly mop up the tail.
Contrary to expectations, the remaining England batsmen did not capitulate easily. Mark Wood (22 off 13 deliveries) and Matthew Potts (17 off 23 balls) proved to be a thorn in Sri Lanka’s side, forming a valuable 33-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Their contributions helped England boost their total to 358, thereby securing a 122-run lead.
Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking four wickets for 103 runs in 18 overs. Prabath Jayasuriya supported him well, claiming three wickets while successfully extracting turn from the pitch towards the end of England’s innings.
When it was Sri Lanka’s turn to bat, they had the worst possible start. Both Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis were dismissed with only a solitary run on the board, putting them on the back foot from the get-go.
. Former captain Dimuth Karunaratne (27 off 32 balls) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (11 off 25 balls) attempted to stabilize the innings but were unsuccessful in their endeavor.
Just as it appeared Sri Lanka’s batting lineup might completely disintegrate, veteran allrounder Angelo Mathews and emerging allrounder Kamindu Mendis forged a critical partnership. The duo stitched together a 78-run stand for the fifth wicket, lifting Sri Lanka from a precarious position and eventually allowing them to take a lead of 82 runs. Mathews played a vital knock, scoring 65 runs, before being dismissed by Chris Woakes, giving England a way back into the match.
With Kamindu Mendis still at the crease and four wickets remaining, Sri Lanka’s batting future is hanging in the balance. The struggle to rebuild the innings is apparent, and the pressure mounts as the team looks to avoid further collapse under England’s persistent attack.
In related cricketing updates, three Super Overs were played in a dramatic Maharaj Trophy clash between Hubli Tigers and Bengaluru Blasters. Furthermore, England’s wicketkeeper Jamie Smith made headlines after breaking a 94-year-old record with his maiden Test century. Additionally, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming T20Is against Scotland but is expected to be fit for the series against England.
Returning to the Old Trafford Test, England’s aim will be to capitalize on their current lead and exert pressure on Sri Lanka’s remaining batsmen. Conversely, Sri Lanka will be looking at Kamindu Mendis to anchor the innings while the rest of the team provides solid support to narrow the deficit. The contest remains thrillingly poised, with both teams fighting hard for an upper hand.
England’s strong performance on day three, marked by Jamie Smith’s historic century and subsequent lower-order contributions, has set the stage for potentially decisive actions as the match progresses. As the Test enters its crucial phases, the battle between bat and ball at Old Trafford continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide.
