England’s rising star Gus Atkinson secured his maiden Test century, leading England to a commanding total of 427 on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Atkinson, known primarily for his bowling, displayed exceptional skill with the bat, scoring 118 runs off 115 balls. His innings, marked by 14 boundaries and 4 sixes, solidified England’s dominant position in the match. Gus Atkinson
Starting the day at 74 not out, Atkinson quickly asserted his authority over the Sri Lankan bowlers. He reached his century in style, driving a boundary through long-off to become the sixth-fastest century maker in a Lord’s Test, achieving the milestone in just 103 balls. Atkinson’s century is particularly notable as he is the first England player batting at No. 8 or lower to score a Test century since Stuart Broad’s 169 against Pakistan in 2010.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to contain Atkinson, with Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake unable to find consistency. Asitha Fernando, however, stood out with a gutsy performance, taking 5 wickets for 102 runs, earning his place on the Lord’s honours board. His efforts, though commendable, were not enough to prevent England from building a formidable total.
England’s innings concluded shortly after Atkinson’s dismissal, thanks to a spectacular catch by Rathnayake. In response, Sri Lanka faced a challenging start to their innings. Chris Woakes and Olly Stone struck early, reducing Sri Lanka to 32 for 2 by lunchtime. Nishan Madushka was dismissed for 7, continuing his poor run of form, while captain Dimuth Karunaratne also fell cheaply, chopping on for 7.
Gus Atkinson
Atkinson’s performance drew high praise from his teammates, including England’s seasoned batter Joe Root. Root, who scored a century on the first day, compared Atkinson’s batting style to that of South African great Jacques Kallis, highlighting the composure and technique displayed by the young pacer.
England, having reached 358 for 7 at the end of the first day, will now look to press their advantage as Sri Lanka attempts to claw their way back into the match. With the series hanging in the balance, Atkinson’s century could prove to be a decisive moment in this Test.
Key Highlights:
– Gus Atkinson scores his maiden Test century (118 off 115 balls).
– England posts a total of 427 in their first innings.
– Asitha Fernando claims 5 wickets for 102 runs for Sri Lanka.
– England reduces Sri Lanka to 32 for 2 by lunch on Day 2.
– Joe Root praises Atkinson, comparing his batting to Jacques Kallis.
The match continues with England firmly in control, as Sri Lanka faces an uphill battle to stay competitive in this crucial Test at Lord’s.
