Sri Lanka’s top order crumbled under a fierce English bowling attack on day 1 of the first Test in Manchester. But amid the disappointments, one of its debutants Milan Rathnayake emerged as the unexpected hero.
Milan Rathnayake’s 72 runs broke the long-standing record set by one of India’s 1983 World Cup stars Balwinder Sandhu back in 1983. Balwinder had scored 71 runs coming in at number 9 on his debut against arch-rival Pakistan.
Milan’s 72 consisted of six boundaries and two sixes which made the knock much more special for him and the spectators at Old Trafford. Sri Lanka managed to post 236 on day 1 and will be looking to recover well in the 2nd innings with England’s score at 22 for no loss after day 1.
Milan turned out to be the team’s second-highest run-getter in the innings as Dhananjaya de Silva’s 84-ball 74 was supported by the tail-ender in the end to take Sri Lanka to a respectable total on the first day.
For England, Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir led the bowling line-up, taking three wickets each on day 1. Gus Atkinson got himself two scalps while Mark Wood had to be content with just one wicket in the 1st innings.
First Published: Aug 22 2024 | 11:56 AM IST
