England’s second Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval saw Ollie Pope shine with a breezy century, hitting 103 runs before the end of the first day’s play. The game started with Sri Lanka inserting England to bat, reaching 221 for 3 at the close.
Pope’s century, his seventh in Tests against different opposition, was complemented by Ben Duckett’s unconventional innings of 86 runs. Duckett’s aggressive approach put Sri Lanka on the back foot early on in the match.
The second day of play started with Pope and Harry Brook at the crease. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Rathnayake and Kumara, put England under pressure, but a confident Pope managed to reach his century early on.
The game saw some controversial moments, with Sri Lanka appealing for a caught behind against Brook, which was overturned after review. Sri Lanka’s bowling was disciplined, with good performances particularly from Rathnayake.
The match is crucial for both teams, with England looking to build on their strong position from the first day, and Sri Lanka aiming to make a comeback in the game. The weather forecast is better for the day, promising more comfortable batting conditions.
With the blazing performances of Pope and Duckett on the first day, all eyes are on the England team as they look to continue their dominance over Sri Lanka in the second Test.
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