Jamie Smith completes maiden Test century as England take control on Day 3 against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford
Published 23/08/2024 at 20:11 GMT+1
Jamie Smith was the star of the show as he scored 111 runs to help England into a commanding position on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Smith was on fire at Old Trafford, and England's bowlers capitalised, taking two wickets in the morning session before limiting their opponents to scraps in the afternoon.
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Jamie Smith scored a maiden Test century to help England into an excellent position ahead of Day 4 of their first Test against Sri Lanka.
The visitors had a disastrous morning at Old Trafford to finish just 82 runs and four wickets ahead their foes.
Smith finished the first innings as his side's top scorer with 111 runs, but was eventually caught by Dinesh Chandimal following an impressive delivery from Prabath Jayasuriya.
"The main feeling for me has been enjoyment," Smith told Sky Sports. "I have really enjoyed playing in this side and being out there.
"I have not felt like I have been out of my depth. I think that is the thing that gives you confidence when you go out each time.
"You do not feel as though you are really up against it, obviously everyone is a really high-quality player here, but you do not feel like you are battling day by day."
Play resumed with the hosts on 259-6 and Gus Atkinson was gone just after Smith reached his century with England at 305-7.
Smith was the next to go, but Mark Wood hit 22, and Matthew Potts registered 17 to help England finish the innings 122 runs ahead of Sri Lanka.
The visitors returned for their second innings, but they suffered through a disastrous start to their morning session.
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Nishan Madushka walked just three balls into their second innings after being bowled by Chris Woakes.
Sri Lanka were 1-2 shortly after when Kusal Mendis edged Gus Atkinson's delivery directly into the hands of Smith.
The morning session drew to a close with the visitors at 10-2, and things did not get much better after lunch.
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Wood stepped up to bowl and hit the ground running. He forced Dimuth Karunaratne into a wild shot that flew straight into the hands of Harry Brook at second slip, leaving Sri Lanka at 52-3.
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva was out for lbw shortly after, but Angelo Mathews' half-century took his side to 109-4.
Mathews reached 65 before being caught by Potts, and Milan Rathnayake was the last wicket of the day as Sri Lanka finished on 204-6.
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