Twitter Reactions: Jamie Smith and Harry Brook’s fifty runs help England win the first innings on Day 2

Following a poor start, Joe Root and Harry Brook came out to bat with the intention of stabilising the innings for the team after captain Ollie Pope left for just six runs. Harry Brook added 56 runs to the score after Root hit 42 runs in 57 deliveries.

Jamie Smith amassed a perfect score of 72 runs, with Chris Woakes contributing another 25 runs.

On Day 2, the first Test match between Sri Lanka and England went on. Sri Lanka batted first on the opening day of the match, amassing 236 runs in the first innings. With 74 runs scored, Dhananjaya de Silva was Sri Lanka’s top run scorer. To assist Sri Lanka in reaching the total, Milan Rathnayake also contributed 72 runs to the score.

Shahid Bashir and Chris Woakes took three wickets apiece in the first innings, making them England’s top wicket-takers. Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson each claimed one and two wickets.

England started the second day of the match with a total of 22 runs without losing a wicket. Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence, the team’s first two scorers, failed to make an impact and could only muster 18 and 30 runs, respectively, for the side.

England managed to score 259 runs in the first innings by the end of Day 2, but they also lost six wickets in the process. The hosts have gained a lead of 23 runs with four wickets remaining, and they plan to push that lead as Day 3 draws near.

Also Read: Chris Woakes on playing Tests outside of England: “Wouldn’t shy away from it”

With three wickets under his belt, Asitha Fernando led Sri Lanka in wicket-taking. Two wickets were claimed by Prabath Jayasuriya, and Vishwa Fernando scored one. Day 3: Sri Lanka will try to reduce their lead by quickly dismissing the last of England’s hitters.

Here’s how X reacted to the second day’s play –

Harry Brook, Jamie Smith shine as #England take the lead in Manchester #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/F1HGOVf3Z6

— Krishnpal Singh (@Krishnpal777) August 23, 2024

Jamie Smith remains unbeaten on 72 as England take a 23-run lead against Sri Lanka at close of play on day two in Manchester 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🔥🔥#ENGvSL #tapmad #HojaoADFree pic.twitter.com/EUvuyBgwwz

— Zeeshan (Shani) (@ShaniInfluncer) August 23, 2024

What player he was completed his 3rd half-century in 5th test #england #uk #cricket #x #jamiesmith pic.twitter.com/y4hmoMgcwZ

— Cricket (@Madhu46858401) August 23, 2024

Most Runs for England in International Cricket

19484 – Joe Root (452 Innings)
15737 – Alastair Cook (387 Innings)
13779 – Kevin Pietersen (340 Innings)
13331 – Ian Bell (370 Innings)
13190 – Graham Gooch (337 Innings)
13140 – Alec Stewart (397 Innings)#ENGvsSL #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/WGahhsyfHn

— Spycricket24x7 (@Spycricket1) August 22, 2024

England lead by 20+ runs with having 4 wickets left! 🥶#ENGvSL #ENGvsSL #SLvENG #SLvsENG

— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) August 22, 2024

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 finish on 259/6 on Day 2 with a lead of 23 runs !! #ENGvsSL

— Coz Cricket (@CozCricket) August 22, 2024

What a lovely player Harry Brook is another Fifty for him, 9th it is!!#ENGvsSLpic.twitter.com/XJQEoXlTGe

— Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman) August 22, 2024

Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya has now taken 73 wickets in Test cricket, he’s only playing his 13th match. He took 50 wickets in just 7 matches 🇱🇰🤯🤯

– what a bowler ❤️.#ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/njZdelRxbs

— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) August 22, 2024

50 runs for young England wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith! This is his third fifty in just five innings.

– What a talent 💥❤️.#ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/JhLtNxDWi4

— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) August 22, 2024

Day 2 Stumps

Eng :- 259/6 lead by 23 runs

The top order couldn’t do much except Root who scored 42 before becoming prey to Fernando.Brook gave an easy wicket to Jayasuriya on 56. Smith is playing on 72 *.

A lead of 50 + would put Sri Lanka under pressure. #ENGvsSL

— Dev Ashish (@anxemid) August 22, 2024