The third Test match being played between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval may not hold much significance beyond the important World Test Championship (WTC) points, but the two teams are still fighting hard for the series. Even though Sri Lanka has already lost the series, they still carry that fire within them.
During Sri Lanka’s first innings, when their last batting pair of Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando were batting, something unexpected happened. Fast bowler Olly Stone bowled a quick bouncer to the last batsman Lahiru Kumara, which left him bewildered and somehow he managed to duck.
It was a great bounce from Stone, who is enjoying a nice comeback in Test cricket. On the microphone, Lahiru Kumara was heard saying Don’t miss Fernando to give Olly Stone a taste of his own medicine.
“We need to give him a taste of his own medicine,” Lahiru Kumara told Asitha Fernando in Sinhala after the toss. Both Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara are fast bowlers and are known to bowl at high pace.
I hope you heard what Asitha Fernando said to Lahiru Kumara through the microphone after that comment by Stone. “We need to give him a taste of his own medicine.” In fact, I have left out a word. I can’t put it here.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) September 8, 2024
At first I thought it was the non-striker, but no, it was Lahiru.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) September 8, 2024
Watch: Nasser Hussain falls off commentary chair in hilariously as Chris Woakes stuns with spin bowling
Watch Lahiru Kumara’s conversation with Asitha Fernando on Olly Stone
image.twitter.com/tT45v6BpCF
– Shehan Sanjeewa (@Shehan64) September 8, 2024
England take first innings lead
The final wicket pair of Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara added 15 runs for the last wicket as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 263 in their first innings. As a result, England gained a 62-run lead after both teams’ first innings ended.
Earlier, England had been bowled out for 325 in their first innings after being in a good position. England had gone on to have a record of 261-3, but lost 7-64 in a dramatic collapse. The batsmen tried to play an ultra-aggressive style of cricket, as England have often played in the Bazball era. But it was one of those days when it backfired.
Ollie Pope is back in form
Stand-in captain Ollie Pope scored a superb 154 off 156 balls for England and marked his return to form. Pope hit 19 fours and 2 sixes during his knock and took the attack to the opposition. However, he too was dismissed while attempting to play an expansive shot. Opener Ben Duckett also scored a belligerent 86 off 79 balls.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan bowlers put up a collective effort as Milan Rathnayake picked up 3 wickets while Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Dhananjaya de Silva picked up 2 wickets each.
Sri Lankan bowlers bounced back in the second innings and took three early wickets. While England are expected to continue with their Bazball strategy and look to extend their lead further, Sri Lanka will expect a disciplined bowling performance.
England already have a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, but with crucial WTC points at stake, this test holds the utmost importance for both teams.
