England v Sri Lanka: Ollie Pope lauds bowlers as hosts claim victory in first Test - 'Led from the front'
Published 24/08/2024 at 21:34 GMT+1
Day four of the first Test proved a nervous one for England after a difficult morning session, but a half century from Joe Root helped England to a five-wicket victory against a valiant Sri Lanka side at Old Trafford. Following his maiden Test century, Jamie Smith proved crucial again for Ollie Pope's side as attention turns to the second Test at Lord's.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
England stand-in captain Ollie Pope credited his bowlers and Jamie Smith after his side defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first Test of the three-match series at Old Trafford.
A half century from Joe Root helped England over the line to defeat the tourists on what, at times, was a nervy day in Manchester.
"Credit to the bowlers, the way they led from the front - particularly [Chris] Woakes and Gus [Atkinson] early on," Pope told Sky Sports. "We managed to get them two or three down early in both innings, which I think was crucial."
Pope had words of praise for Smith, as he added: "I had no doubt [about Jamie Smith]. There are always a few nerves early in your Test career, but I had no doubt he had the game to deal with the next step-up.
"I couldn't be happier for him... and obviously getting his first hundred. Hopefully it's the first of many."
Smith stated his maiden Test century was a "great milestone to tick off".
"Having missed out by five runs in the previous series, it was nice to get over the line," he said.
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva was pleased with his team's second dig after a disappointing first innings, but admitted too much damage was done early in the match.
Dhananjaya said: "I was pleased with the second innings, batting and bowling, not the first innings where we didn't do well - that's why we are on the losing side.
"I'm still confident with the batting lineup, but they have to execute their plans when batting in English conditions, against a pretty good and disciplined bowling lineup."
England chased a ruthless finish to the match after Smith's maiden Test century on day three, with Sri Lanka beginning this morning at 204-6, 82 runs behind.
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The morning session proved far from the stroll England had hoped, with the visitors rallying through a century from Kamindu Mendis (113). An injury to Mark Wood took the pace and sting out of England's bowling attack, with the hosts looking lost as Sri Lanka scored 86 runs without losing a wicket before lunch.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 326 after the break, setting England a target of 205 for victory.
By tea, England had lost three wickets for 82 runs and the atmosphere at Old Trafford was becoming tense.
Ben Duckett (11) was first to fall as Asitha Fernando's delivery took the edge of the Englishman's bat and into the hands of stand-in wicketkeeper Mendis.
Pope (6) was next to go, caught out while attempting a reverse sweep and suddenly England were a shade nervy.
When Milan Rathnayake trapped Dan Lawerence LBW for 34, the game was on.
Root and Harry Brook would then steady the ship, with Brook later being dismissed for 32 after chipping an effort back into the hands of Prabath Jayasuriya.
Root was unflappable as England crawled closer to the number required.
Smith joined England's leading Test run scorer at the crease and steadied the nerves, delivering a much-needed boundary to add to the six England had managed to that point.
The 24-year-old was eventually dismissed for 39 by Fernando, but his good work was done as England survived an unexpected scare.
Root would end the game with a fabulous four, only his second of the innings, finishing unbeaten on 62 as the hosts won by five wickets.
Both teams will now travel south for the second and third Tests at Lord's and The Oval respectively.
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