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1st Test: England make shaky start chasing target of 205

Last updated on: August 24, 2024 22:04 IST

IMAGES from the Day 4 of the 1st Test between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester on Saturday

SCORECARD

England

Photograph: Kind Courtesy ICC/X

England limped to 82 for three after Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope fell early chasing a target of 205 to beat Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test on Saturday.

Sri Lanka

IMAGE: Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis celebrates reaching his century. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters

Sri Lanka started the day at 204-6 and Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal batted through the rain-hit first session to forge a 117-run partnership for the seventh wicket and get Sri Lanka past the 300-run mark.

Sri Lanka

IMAGE: Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis celebrates reaching his century with Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters

But Kamindu, on 113 after completing his third test century, nicked Gus Atkinson to Root soon after lunch as England made the most of the new ball, despite fast bowler Mark Wood being ruled out for the day with a thigh injury.

Matthew Potts dismissed Chandimal, who scored 79 despite playing through pain after suffering a blow to his thumb, to end Sri Lanka's innings on 326, with the visitors adding only 19 runs for the last three wickets.

Sri Lanka

IMAGE: Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal in action. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters

Duckett was dropped on two by keeper Kusal Mendis, but the opener was caught by Mendis for 11. Captain Ollie Pope soon followed him back to the pavilion, caught at slip for six.

Dan Lawrence (34) was next to go, trapped lbw by Milan Rathnayake to leave England teetering on 70-3.

Harry Brook joined Joe Root and they steadied the ship but England still need 123 for victory with seven wickets in hand.

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