SRI LANKA TOUR OF ENGLAND 2024 – 2ND TEST MATCH AT LORD’S DAY 1 (29.08.2024)
JOE ROOT MAGNIFICENT 143, GUS ATKINSON N.O. 74 ENGLAND 358/7
Rex Clementine at Lord’s
Sri Lanka’s fast bowling coach Aaqib Javed was happy with the effort his team’s fast bowlers put up on day one of the second Test match after Sri Lanka opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Sri Lanka’s bowlers did well to restrict England to 216 for six after tea, but the 92 run stand between Joe Root and Gus Atkinson helped England fight back.
“I think we had done well in the first two sessions. The expectation was to get them out in the final session, The partnership between Root and Gus helped them to come back into the game. Sometimes you are expecting wickets to fall after six wickets and when they don’t happen you get concerned. Bit disappointed with the way we went about things between the 65th and 80th overs,” Aaqib, the former Pakistan fast bowler told journalists.
“You all know the Lord’s pitch. It’s mostly flat. First three days it will be similar weather too. What we were thinking was that it was a fresh wicket and give our best with early wickets. Once the ball got older and softer it’s difficult to get that penetration.”
Lahiru Kumara bowled with fire making a comeback to the team after being overlooked for the first Test at Old Trafford. He finished with two wickets.
“After three months he is playing a Test match. Good effort. He bowled 90 miles and that’s what you want from a fast bowler. It was pleasing to see.
The three seamers shared six wickets between them with Milan Ratnayake and Asitha Fernando also claiming two scalps each. Milan had a disappointing start with the ball on his debut at Old Trafford but bowled much better lengths at Lord’s and he seems to have overcome the no-ball problem as well.
“He bowled well in the second innings at Old Trafford. When you are on debut, you can struggle a bit. He bowled well. He has a good height and his wrist position is good. He is a good sharp guy with a superb mind. He uses the lines well. The way he batted in the first Test was great to see as well. He is a good find.”