Gus Atkinson and bowlers shine as England tighten their grip over Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the Lord’s Test

Table of Contents

Kamindu Mendis stands tall amid Sri Lanka’s collapse
Gus Atkinson’s maiden century sets the tone for England
England’s bowlers continue to impress

Gus Atkinson‘s maiden Test century set the stage for another day of England‘s dominance at Lord’s, as the hosts posted a formidable 427 in their first innings on Day 2 of the Lord’s Test. In response, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 196, trailing by 231 runs, with only Kamindu Mendis showing significant resistance. England opted against enforcing the follow-on, choosing instead to bat again, ending the day at 25/1 with a commanding lead of 256.

Kamindu Mendis stands tall amid Sri Lanka’s collapse

Mendis was the lone warrior for Sri Lanka, scoring a gritty 74 from 120 balls. His innings, which included eight fours and three sixes, helped Sri Lanka recover from a precarious 118/7, briefly lifting his Test average back above 100. Despite his efforts, none of his teammates could muster more than Dinesh Chandimal‘s 23, leaving Sri Lanka in a dire position on a pitch already showing signs of turn. Mendis’ innings was a testament to his fighting spirit. He took on the previously dominant England attack and gathered quick runs for his side. However, his valiant effort was insufficient to save Sri Lanka from a significant first-innings deficit.

Kamindu Mendis put up a fight with a classy knock!#England #SriLanka #KaminduMendis #Test #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EQctTBbBAN
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 30, 2024

Also READ: ENG vs SL: Netizens celebrate as Gus Atkinson hits his maiden ton at iconic Lord’s on Day 2 of the 2nd Test

Gus Atkinson’s maiden century sets the tone for England

Earlier, Atkinson resumed England’s innings on the second morning with a score of 74 not out and wasted no time in reaching his hundred. His century came off just 103 balls, making it the sixth-fastest century in a Test match at Lord’s. Atkinson’s innings was characterized by controlled aggression, with his knock including back-to-back boundaries off Lahiru Kumara to start the day. Although he was initially given out lbw by umpire Paul Reiffel, Atkinson successfully reviewed the decision, with the ball missing the leg stump.

From there, Atkinson continued to dominate, bringing up his century with a drive through long-off. His celebration, with a beaming smile and saluting all four corners of the ground, was the only sign that this was no ordinary day for the young cricketer. Matthew Potts provided valuable support in an 85-run partnership for the eighth wicket before Atkinson’s innings ended with a spectacular catch by Milan Rathnayake at deep midwicket.

England’s bowlers continue to impress

Sri Lanka’s reply began poorly, with Nishan Madushka falling for 7 to Chris Woakes and Dimuth Karunaratne‘s poor form continuing as he was bowled by Olly Stone for 7. Stone, returning to the Test side after a long absence, quickly picked up his second wicket, dismissing Pathum Nissanka for 12. Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal tried to stabilize the innings, but Mathews was undone by a delivery from Potts that nipped back to hit the top of off stump. Dhananjaya de Silva fell for a duck, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble.

Atkinson continued his remarkable run at Lord’s by claiming Chandimal as his 13th wicket in less than three innings, dismissing him for 23 with a catch at leg gully. Rathnayake briefly counter-attacked, but Stone and Woakes combined to dismiss him and the rest of the tail. Shoaib Bashir, making his first appearance at Lord’s, bowled brilliantly and eventually dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya. Despite a late life for Mendis when Joe Root dropped a catch at deep square leg, England’s dominance was never in doubt. They ended the day firmly in control, with Sri Lanka facing an uphill battle to avoid a crushing defeat.