Eoin Morgan believes issues are aligning properly for England after the hosts accomplished a complete 190-run victory over Sri Lanka to steer the collection 2-0 forward of the ultimate Take a look at.
Joe Root scored centuries in each innings of the second Take a look at, turning into the primary participant to take action at Lord’s since Michael Vaughan in 2004. Gus Atkinson scored his maiden Take a look at ton and likewise completed with a five-wicket haul, whereas Matthew Potts and Olly Stone made an affect on their return to the Take a look at facet, taking wickets at essential moments within the recreation.
England’s victory was all of the extra important as a result of three of their key gamers – Ben Stokes (hamstring), Zak Crawley (finger), and Mark Wooden (thigh) – are absent via numerous accidents.
Stokes’ facet are set to play India in a five-match Take a look at collection between June 20 and August 4 in 2025 at dwelling as they look forward to the 2025-26 winter Ashes tour in Australia and to date, their Take a look at summer season has proven constructive indicators.
Highlights from day 4 of the second Take a look at between England and Sri Lanka
“When England replicate, they are going to be massively optimistic,” stated former England captain Eoin Morgan on Sky Sports activities Cricket.
“They’ve performed some excellent cricket to date this summer season they usually have plans waiting for subsequent 12 months towards India and the next winter in Australia.”
“Issues are aligning fairly properly, with gamers coming via and placing in performances like Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone absolutely match, Matthew Potts coming again in as properly.
“That’s with out three of your essential gamers – Ben Stokes, Mark Wooden, and Zak Crawley.
“So, issues are going alongside fairly properly for England.”
Atkinson completed the second Take a look at on figures of 5-62, turning into solely the third participant, alongside Vinoo Mankad and Ian Botham, to take a five-for and rating a century in the identical Take a look at.
Watch Gus Atkinson’s second innings five-fer that means he will get his identify on the Lord’s honours board as soon as once more!
Morgan stated: “I believe the management parts and the tempo at which Atkinson bowls are two of his greatest strengths.
“It’s truly the strongest level he has on flatter wickets. He appears very comfy bowling wobble seam deliveries.
“A bit of additional accountability, taking the brand new ball on this Take a look at match, he has taken each little bit of it in his stride.
“There was this stigma of who would take the brand new ball. He can be a first-change bowler in earlier generations.
“However he has simply been excellent to date and he simply loves bowling on this floor as a result of he can create alternatives and he can get the ball to maneuver round.”
Chris Woakes picked up the ultimate wicket as England beat Sri Lanka by 190 runs
Sri Lanka confirmed nice resistance to England’s bowling assault, creating formidable partnerships with Dimuth Karunaratne (55), Dinesh Chandimal (58) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (50) all reaching half-centuries.
Kamindu Mendis additionally starred for Sri Lanka, top-scoring together with his 74 off 120 balls within the first innings. Provided that he is simply 25 years of age, he provides the vacationers hope for his or her Take a look at future.
“Sri Lanka confirmed a whole lot of struggle, a whole lot of character,” stated Morgan. “They got here again and took benefit of fine situations.
Watch the second Joe Root made historical past by hitting his thirty fourth Take a look at 100, taking him to probably the most England centuries of all time
“They countered England’s brief ball plan and performed good, good cricket.
“They constructed partnerships properly and confirmed a little bit of basis and spine to how they performed.
“However England had been far too superior. I believe the harm had been completed coming into at the moment.”
Watch the third and closing Take a look at of the collection between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval, dwell on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 10am on Friday September 6 (first ball, 11am).
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