It was thought that Sri Lanka might well be the reverse of West Indies: tourists who boast experience with the bat while potentially being light with the ball. But on a tense second day that prediction was creaking slightly, Dhananjaya de Silva’s attack having delivered a disciplined, probing display to leave this first Test delicately poised.
At stumps, as bad light and then rain brought an early close after just 57 overs of play, England had Jamie Smith to thank for ensuring nothing was settled and a lead had at least been established. Stationed at No 6 – the upshot of that hamstring injury to Ben Stokes – Smith’s unbeaten 72 had taken the hosts to 259 for six in reply to Sri Lanka’s 236 all out; 23 runs ahead but with their lengthy tail having already begun.
