‌ENG vs SL | Twitter reacts to Root masterclass and blazing Atkinson keep visitors at bay on opening day

Arijit Kundu

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

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England’s initial struggle against the new ball was overshadowed by Joe Root’s 33rd century coupled with Gus Atkinson’s unbridled 74 at the end of the first day. Sri Lankan pace trio of Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake extracted a couple of wickets each at Lord’s, London.

Losing the toss and being sent to bat first was welcomed with open arms by England skipper Ollie Pope on the eve of the second Test at Lord’s. While Dan Lawrence and Ben Duckett tried to play their strokes against the new ball, the early introduction of returnee Lahiru Kumara paid off as the speedster removed Dan Lawrence in the seventh over followed by Asitha Fernando’s change of ends to get rid of Ollie Pope in the first hour of play. Irrespective of the setbacks, Ben Duckett (40) continued his flourish with the bat before the introduction of spin baited him at deep point in an attempt of a reverse sweep. With Harry Brook joining Joe Root, the pair orchestrated singles and doubles for the last half-an-hour before Lunch, setting up 97 runs in 23 overs for the loss of three wickets. 

Subsequently, Brook and Root tried to hang around for the first half of the second innings, looking smooth with their stroke selections. However, Asitha got the Duke to swing around and a nip-backer caught Brook off guard for 33. While Root looked solid like a rock and kept ticking the scoreboard, surpassing his 65th fifty in Test, Jamie Smith seemed struggling occasionally. He was soon removed for 21 by Milan Ratnayake before Chris Woakes joined the former England captain until Tea with the score reading 200/5 in 53 overs. 

While Woakes and Root withstood the barrage of short balls from Lahiru Kumara for a brief period, the bowler had the last laugh over the pace-bowling all-rounder in the 59th over. Soon, Root faced twelve dots to convert a nervy ninety-nine to 33rd Test century, equalising the tally with Sir Alastair Cook as England’s top Test centurions. In his support, Gus Atkinson showed his class with the bat by producing some extraordinary lofted strokes, cover drives, and whips. The duo added 92 runs for the seventh wicket to steer England past the 300-run mark. However, the partnership came ended with Root dismissing for 143 after a reverse scoop attempt 15 balls prior to the second new ball’s avaialibiity. But the tourists failed to capitalise on the second new ball as Matthew Potts and Atkinson added unbridled 50 runs at Stumps Day 1 with England’s score reflecting 358/7.

Really great!

Great shots he has got!

Stumps!

Let's see!

Hmm!

Joe Root!

GOD!

Great innings!

LOL!

Root should have not played that shot!

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