Joe Root and Gus Atkinson were the standouts as England secured a 190 run win over Sri Lanka to take the three-match series 2-0. While Root continued getting closer to Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar's run tally with twin centuries, that helped him surpass former skipper Alastair Cook's century
Sri Lanka, who will take on England in the second Test at the Lords beginning Thursday, will have high hopes from their left-hand batter Kamindu Mendis, who has an average of 92.16 in the past four Test matches
After a fine 42 in the first innings, Root once again showcased his class, composure and clutch game in a tense run chase of 205 runs, scoring an unbeaten 62 in 128 balls, with two fours, coming in when England was 56/2.
Smith showed immense composure, versatility and class across both the innings as his century in first innings and a quick cameo in the run-chase proved to be vital in England's five wicket win over Lankan Lions in the first Test at Manchester.
Sri Lankan batters fought hard, with contributions from Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal, Silva and Milan Rathnayake standing out. But it still was not enough to overcome England, who were powered by contributions of their middle order in absence of their injured opener Zak
Root starred with a calm half-century during a tense run-chase while Smith smashed his maiden Test ton in the first innings to hand England a massive lead of 122 runs in the first innings, which proved to be instrumental in team's win.
The 2014 champions made a tough start to their T20 WC campaign. They never found things going well on a tough batting surface as they crumbled to just 77 all out, which was chased down by Proteas, although after some fight put up by Lankan bowlers.
Sri Lanka also has a plethora of spinning options in its T20 World Cup team, including Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Dunith Wellalage, who can provide an extra option alongside skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and ace off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will lead the Sri Lanka squad in the upcoming ICC event and batting all-rounder Charith Asalanka will be Hasaranga's deputy.