Maiden Ton for Jamie Smith as England Tighten Grip on First Test Against Sri Lanka
After resuming on 72 not out overnight, Jamie Smith quickly found his rhythm, driving Asitha Fernando through the off-side with authority in the opening overs. While he initially threatened to race to his ton, the 23-year-old opted to rebuild steadily in a 66-run stand with Gus Atkinson, taking 27 deliveries to reach the final 14 runs of his century.
“The moment of celebration came as Smith clipped a Rathnayake delivery through square leg, bringing up his maiden Test ton in impressive fashion.”
However, his innings was soon cut short, as a sharp piece of glovework from Dinesh Chandimal saw him dismissed for 111.
With the tail wagging, England’s innings progressed to 358, extending their overnight lead to a commanding 122 runs. Quickfire cameos from Mark Wood and Matthew Potts, including a one-handed catch from a spectator in the crowd, added to the entertainment for the Old Trafford faithful.
Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka will be determined to bounce back in this crucial 100-ball cricket live clash, as they seek to overcome the deficit and mount a strong challenge in the remainder of the match.
🔗 Source