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Sri Lanka were poor in that final session yesterday but they’re still very much in this game. I don’t think people have clocked just how good their batting lineup is; they just need one of the top three to fire to back up a very accomplished middle order. Here’s to a tight day two that sets up a proper Test match.
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I’ll be with you for the first half of the day. Send in your thoughts/queries/summer highlights/film recommendations/worries/wisdom/wishes/whatever provides you the most joy.
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Main Events
Rob Smith joins me with the list of England's Test centurions. From number 8 onwards. Gus Atkinson is 26 runs away with victory.
Steve Finn, dressed in a suit and boots, rings the five-minute bell. Let's go.
“What's interesting is that he's done quite well as captain, so with Stokes (hopefully) due to return soon, I think it would be better to leave it to him rather than sacrificing his batting form by making someone else captain.” Nick Way writes about Ollie Pope. “The question of whether he will be able to retain his place when Stokes returns is a question for another time…”
Dominic Booth and his surroundingsmaking its debut on the county blog today.
“Hello, Taha.” Hello, David. “Ollie Pope. Discuss.”
Chelsea-born Ollie Pope is a professional cricketer for England and Surrey… Okay, I know what you mean. It's a strange one, isn't it? He's performed well as England's No. 3 batsman over the last few years, but it's also true that after 48 Test matches he is yet to fully prove himself. One day he can look timid and nervous, and the next he can fend off a brilliant South African fast attack (as he did on this ground in 2022 when nobody could bat). So, yeah, it's a bit of a neutral call for now.
That's the good thing about yesterday.
preamble
Hello, hello, hello. Welcome to HQ for day two of the second Test match between England and Sri Lanka. Joe Root's 33rd Test match hundred(!) and Gus Atkinson's unbeaten 74 all but sealed the first day for the hosts. Atkinson, in just his fifth Test match, has already won the Lord's honours for bowling, but he finds Test match cricket too easy at the moment. The subplot for the morning is whether he can get to a triple-figure score.
Sri Lanka were not in good form in the final session yesterday but they are still strong in this match. I don't think anyone has realised how good their batting line-up is. They just need one of the top three to step up to support a good middle order. Day 2 will be tense and I hope it will be a proper Test match.
We'll spend the first half of the day with you, and you'll be invited to send in your thoughts, questions, summer highlights, movie recommendations, concerns, wisdom, wishes, and whatever brings you the most joy.
