Day 2 of the third and final Test between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval witnessed a dramatic turn of events as Sri Lanka mounted a strong fightback, leaving England with a nervous lead despite their early dominance.
The day began with England looking to capitalize on their strong position after posting 325 in their first innings. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers came out with renewed energy and executed their plans with precision, bowling out the hosts in the first session itself. This commendable effort restricted England to under 350, a remarkable achievement considering the early signs of a potential mammoth total.
Sri Lanka’s top order, with the exception of Pathum Nissanka, struggled initially. Nissanka played with freedom and smashed a brisk half-century, but his aggressive approach ultimately led to his downfall. The visitors found themselves in trouble at 93/5, but worsening overhead conditions provided a temporary reprieve. The umpires deemed the light unsafe for the fast bowlers to continue, bringing an early end to the first session.
The second session saw skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and the impressive Kamindu Mendis form a crucial partnership. They started cautiously but gradually took the attack to the spinners, chipping away at the lead. Both batsmen reached their fifties and remained unbeaten on 64 and 54 respectively when bad light forced an early close to the day’s play.
England will be hoping to capitalize on the early morning swing and secure early wickets on Day 3 to prevent Sri Lanka from taking the lead. The weather forecast for Day 3 is slightly improved, but overcast conditions persist. A total of 98 overs are scheduled for Day 3, and play will continue until 5:30 PM GMT, with an extra half hour if needed. However, the weather and light conditions will play a crucial role in determining the length of play.
The ‘Moving Day’ will be crucial for both teams as they seek to gain a decisive advantage in this Test match. Stay tuned for the exciting action on Day 3!
