Joe Root drops anchor as England go 1-0 up over spirited Sri Lanka
Key stand between Kamindu and Chandimal threatened to turn tables on engrossing fourth day
21/08Result
1st Test, Sri Lanka tour of England at Manchester, Aug 21-24 2024
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
236 & 326 -
![England]( "England")
358 & 205/5 (57.2 ov)
Player of the Match
21/08Result
1st Test, Sri Lanka tour of England at Manchester, Aug 21-24 2024
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
236 & 326 -
![England]( "England")
358 & 205/5 (57.2 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 4
Ollie Pope passes first captaincy test, though his own returns beg to differ
Caretaker's challenge should not be under-estimated, especially against dogged opponents
Joe Root proud of England's adaptability as he channels his 'inner Hussain'
Praise for Pope captaincy as team overcomes Sri Lanka challenge to win with day to spare
Mark Wood in doubt for remainder of Sri Lanka series after sustaining thigh injury
Olly Stone could be beneficiary for second Test, after Durham quick pulls up during 11th over
Josh Hull receives first Test squad call-up as Mark Wood is ruled out with thigh strain
Leicestershire left-arm seamer named as replacement, with Stone likely to take place in team
Day 3
Mathews fights after Smith's maiden hundred, but England close in on victory
Controversial ball-change helps England to exert dominance after stiff Sri Lanka resistance
Jamie Smith quells the keeper's debate as world-class credentials shine through
Maiden Test century follows hot on heels of 95 against West Indies, with more still to come
Angelo Mathews: Replacement ball 'changed the entire momentum of the game'
Decision to grant home side a replacement during Sri Lanka's second innings tips balance
Day 2
Jamie Smith digs deep in the gloom as Asitha Fernando keeps Sri Lanka in the contest
England indebted to rookie as Sri Lanka's bowlers probe away on rain-truncated day
Jamie Smith stays in the moment to give England a glimpse into the future
Wicketkeeper puts rare first-day blemish behind him to score his third fifty in five Test innings
Asitha Fernando brings Sri Lanka great hope after day-one valiance
In Test cricket's conventional world, it's unwise to ignore an unconventional Sri Lankan
Day 1
Sri Lanka dig deep through de Silva, Rathnayake after top-order collapse hands England control
Sri Lanka captain and debutant revive team from early collapse, but England unbeaten at close
Believe it or not, but 6 for 3 wasn't all that bad for Sri Lanka
That bulk of Dhananjaya de Silva's 74 came with three different partners is testament to his chilled demeanour
Chris Woakes 'wouldn't shy away' from attack-leading role in overseas Tests
Fast bowler had previously indicated he would be unlikely to play another away Test after modest record
Others
ICC rankings: Brook jumps to fourth place among Test batters, Rizwan enters top 10
Babar Azam drops six places to be ranked ninth among Test batters
Kamindu Mendis: the T20 disruptor turning heads in Test cricket
His Old Trafford hundred is just the biggest announcement of his all-round talent
Dan Lawrence accepts his top billing even as middle-order wait goes on
Opening the batting may not be ideal berth, but after 17 Tests on sidelines, any role will suffice
England to pay tribute to Graham Thorpe during Old Trafford Test
Minute's applause and black armbands will commemorate batter who took own life this month
Dhananjaya de Silva: Sri Lanka wanted extra warm-up but were denied
Visitors name three-seamer line-up in anticipation of showery weather in Manchester
Ollie Pope vows to lean on Ben Stokes as he begins stand-in captaincy reign
Deputy unafraid to seek counsel as he prepares to lead England in three-Test series
Pope at ease with caretaker captaincy brief
England stand-in preparing to "do things my way" while still following Ben Stokes' lead
Matthew Potts back for Old Trafford Test; Harry Brook is vice-captain
England confirm XI for Wednesday's first Test against Sri Lanka, with Stokes absent through injury
What does Bazball without Ben Stokes look like? We're about to find out
Sri Lanka haven't beaten England in a Test since 2014 but hope to exploit hosts' disruption
