Paceman Gus Atkinson brought an outstanding performance, taking 5 for 62 as England secured a comfortable 190-run win over Sri Lanka in their second Test at Lord’s, London, and yesterday. This win gave England a 2-0 series lead with one game to spare, marking Sri Lanka’s first defeat at Lord’s, where previous matches had ended in draws. England’s captain, Ollie Pope, celebrated his series win with a match to spare.
Sri Lanka showed some confrontation with half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, along with a fighting 43 from Milan Ratnayake. Sri Lanka couldn’t withstand England’s pressure, crumbling to 292 all out with 33 overs left on the fourth day.
Chasing a daunting target of 483, Sri Lanka began the fourth day at 53 for 2. Dimuth Karunaratne fought hard, scoring his first half-century of the series and forming a 55-run partnership with Angelo Mathews, who contributed 36. By lunch, Sri Lanka was 136 for 4, having lost two wickets, including the nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya. The more important blow was Karunaratne’s dismissal.
Dinesh Chandimal offered hope with a brisk 58 off 62 balls, hitting 11 fours, and adding a 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Mathews. Though, Kamindu Mendis fell quickly for 4, and Atkinson struck twice in quick sequence to derail Sri Lanka’s efforts.
Dhananjaya de Silva (45) and Milan Ratnayake (26) added 60 runs for the eighth wicket before tea, with Sri Lanka at 260 for 7 by the break. After tea, England took the new ball, and Dhananjaya touched his 16th Test fifty off 68 balls, with 7 fours. However, Atkinson struck again with the new ball, dismissing Dhananjaya for 50 and ending the 73-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Milan Ratnayake also played aggressively, scoring 43 off 56 balls with 7 fours, but Atkinson claimed his fifth wicket, and Sri Lanka was bowled out for 292 with 33 overs remaining on the fourth day.
Gus Atkinson was the most successful bowler, taking 5 for 62 in his 16-over spell, while Chris Woakes and Olly Stone took two wickets each. Atkinson was pronounced Man of the Match for his maiden century and five-wicket haul. Other notable performances included Asitha Fernando’s five-wicket haul and Joe Root’s twin centuries.
The third and final test will commence on September 6 at the Oval grounds.
