England began this summer’s Test series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket win at Old Trafford.
A solid batting performance from Joe Root, who posted an unbeaten score of 62 off 128, saw England secure victory on the fourth day.
This was Ollie Pope’s first Test match as England captain.
But despite his successful start, Pope scored a modest 4/10 in LAWRENCE BOOTH’s test ratings.
Read on to find out how the other players fared.
Joe Root hit an unbeaten 62 as England defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first Test
England
Ben Duckett5
Twice he reached double figures, twice Asitha Fernando outshot him, bringing his career average a fraction below 40.
Dan Lawrence 6.5
He had his moments during a few thirties upon his return to Test play, but never seemed entirely comfortable in his new role as opener.
Ollie Pope 4
He was twice dismissed for single figures in his first Test as captain and looked lost in the field at times, especially when Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal stopped England’s great performances yesterday.
This was Ollie Pope’s first Test match as captain and he struggled with the bat and in the field
Joe Carrot 8
Disappointed to fall on the drive for 42 the first time, but made amends by leading England’s chase to victory on the fourth day. Took a cheap wicket too.
Harry Beek 7
Classic moved to 56 and 32, only to be surprised twice by Prabath Jayasuriya.
Jamie Smith 9
Dig England out of a small hole with their first Test hundred, then injected a nervous chase with vital impetus on the final night. What a find.
Jamie Smith was England’s star player after hitting 111 in the first innings and 39 in the second
Chris Woakes7.5
Match figures of six for 90 and a handy 25 from No. 7 confirmed his all-round value. Quietly a very good summer.
Gus Atkinson 7
Hit the new ball in both innings and took the big wicket of the impressive Mendis in the second, when he sometimes over-threw. Also made a useful 20 with the bat.
Matthew Potts7
Struggled to find rhythm on his first day back in Test cricket, but looked to be England’s best bowler in the second innings – even when the going got tough for the hosts – when the fielders let him down.
Matthew Potts was England’s best bowler during Sri Lanka’s second innings at Old Trafford
Mark Wood 7
Only two wickets, but Chandimal was forced to retire injured and was still in contention for a place at the box office until he left the field on the second evening with a worrying thigh injury.
Shoaib Bashir 6.5
He made three key breakthroughs in Sri Lanka’s first innings to help England to victory, but he was considerably less effective when they attacked him in the second innings.
Sri Lanka
Nishan Madushka 1
Dimuth Karunaratne 4
Kusal Mendis 4
Angelo Mathews 6.5
Dhananjaya de Silva 7
Dinesh Chandimal 7.5
Kamindu Mendis 8.5
Prabath Jayasuriya 7
Milan Ratnayake 7
Vishwa Fernando 5
Asitha Fernando 7.5