Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope‘s brilliant direct hit dismissed Sri Lankan tailender Lahiru Kumara for a duck on Day 2 of the Lord’s Test. Sri Lanka’s first innings ended at a disappointing 196 in 55.3 overs, giving England a commanding 231-run lead.

After Joe Root’s century on Day 1 helped England reach 358/7 by stumps, Gus Atkinson‘s maiden Test century propelled England’s first-innings total past 425. Atkinson played a powerful knock, smashing 14 fours and four sixes in his 118 off 115 balls. Following his innings, England’s pacers shared the spoils, with each of the four frontline bowlers taking two wickets, leaving Sri Lanka in tatters.

Ollie Pope’s stunning direct hit ends Lahiru Kumara’s long stay

Pope’s sharp fielding added to Sri Lanka’s woes. On the final ball of the 55th over, Pope executed a superb direct hit to run out Kumara, who had endured a 22 balls struggle without scoring. Kumara, looking to rotate the strike, set off for a run after Kamindu Mendis nudged Olly Stone‘s delivery towards square leg. However, Kamindu was focused on retaining the strike and didn’t respond to Kumara’s call. Pope, fielding at square leg, took his time to aim and delivered a precise throw to the non-striker’s end, catching a diving Kumara well short of his crease. The strike-farming attempt backfired, and Kumara was left lying on the ground in disappointment.

Here’s the video:

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England’s bowlers keep Sri Lanka in check

Kumara’s dismissal was the ninth wicket to fall, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 195. They managed to add just one more run before being bowled out, capping a disappointing batting display. Mendis was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, scoring a valiant 74 off 120 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. He was the last man out, miscuing a shot off Atkinson that ended the innings.

England’s bowlers maintained the pressure throughout Sri Lanka’s innings. Chris Woakes, Atkinson, Stone and Matthew Potts each took two wickets, while young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir claimed one. By the end of Day 2, England had extended their lead to 256 runs, finishing at 25/1 in their second innings. Dan Lawrence (7) was the only wicket to fall, adjudged caught behind off Kumara after Sri Lanka successfully reviewed the on-field decision.

Also READ: ENG vs SL: ‘He’s quite an insecure human being,’: Michael Vaughan attacks Ollie Pope’s leadership and batting form

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