England has taken a commanding lead in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, putting themselves in a strong position to win the series. The day was marked by an incredible performance from fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who smashed a maiden Test century, and a disappointing batting collapse from the Sri Lankan side.
After England declared their innings at 427 all out, thanks largely to Atkinson’s entertaining 118 runs, Sri Lanka crumbled to a paltry 196 in 55.3 overs, leaving them with a substantial 231-run deficit in the first innings. England, despite having the option to enforce the follow-on, opted not to do so, choosing to build their lead further. At stumps on Day 2, England had reached 25 for one, extending their lead to 256 runs.
This dominant display follows England’s victory in the first Test in Manchester last week, putting them on track for a second consecutive series win this summer. This follows their 3-0 victory against the West Indies last month.
Gus Atkinson has emerged as a star performer for England in the Test summer. He made his Test debut against the West Indies at Lord’s, where he took an impressive 12 wickets. Now, he has added a century to his accomplishments, showcasing remarkable batting skills that belied his status as a fast bowler. His hitting prowess, at times, resembled that of a top-order batsman, leaving spectators and commentators in awe.
England is well on its way to securing a dominant series win over Sri Lanka, with Atkinson’s heroics and Sri Lanka’s batting woes playing a key role in the current scenario.
