[Watch] A brilliant direct hit from Ollie Pope ends Lahiru Kumara's 22-ball duck on Day 2 of 2nd ENG vs SL 2024 Test
England captain Ollie Pope produced a brilliant direct hit to run-out Sri Lankan tailender Lahiru Kumara for a 22-ball duck on Day 2 of the second Test at Lord's on Friday, August 30. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 196 in their first innings in 55.3 overs as England gained a huge first-innings lead of 231 runs.
After Joe Root's hundred lifted the hosts to 358-7 at stumps on Day 1 at Lord's, Gus Atkinson's maiden Test ton pushed England's first-innings score past the 425-run mark. Atkinson slammed 14 fours and four sixes in his 115-ball 118. Four England pacers then claimed two wickets each as Sri Lanka folded up for a disappointing total in their first innings.
England captain Pope made his presence felt in the field, scoring a superb direct hit to end batter Kumara's 50-minute run-less stay at the crease. On the last ball of the 55th over, Kamindu Mendis tucked a delivery from Olly Stone towards square leg. Kumara set off for a run, but Kamindu was keen on keeping strike. The fielder, Pope, picked up the ball and threw down the stumps at the non-striker's end, with a diving Kumara well short of his crease.
Kumara was the ninth Sri Lankan wicket to fall with the score at 195. They were all-out for the addition of just one more run; bringing an end to what was a disappointingly poor batting effort by the visitors.
Kamindu Mendis shines again, but England bowlers run through Sri Lanka's batting on Day 2 at Lord's
Kamindu, who has made a spectacular start to his Test career, continued his great form on Day 2 at Lord's as well. He finished as Sri Lanka's top-scorer in the innings, contributing 74 off 120 balls, with the aid of eight fours and three sixes. He was the last man dismissed in Lanka's innings as he skied one off Atkinson.
Kamindu now has 627 runs to his name from eight Test innings at an average of 89.57, with three hundreds and three half-centuries. He, however, did not get much support from the other batters in Sri Lanka's first innings at Lord's. Dinesh Chandimal's 23 was the next best score in the innings followed by Angelo Matthews' 22 off 36 balls.
For England, Chris Woakes, Atkinson, Olly Stone and Matthew Potts picked up two scalps each, while young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir picked up one. By stumps, England had stretched their lead to 256 runs. They were 25-1 after seven overs in their second innings. Dan Lawrence (7) was adjudged caught behind to Kumara after the bowling side took a review.