Smith edges England ahead in first Test against Sri Lanka

**MANCHESTER:** Jamie Smith's resilient half-century guided England to a narrow first-innings lead in their series opener against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Thursday.

England reached 259-6, surpassing Sri Lanka's total of 236 by a slender margin of 23 runs, before bad light and rain forced an early conclusion to the second day of the three-match Test series.

Smith, elevated to No. 6 in the batting order in the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes, remained unbeaten on 72. This marked the 24-year-old wicketkeeper's third fifty in just his fourth Test match. He once again showcased his ability to anchor the innings while keeping the scoreboard ticking, particularly when batting with the lower order.

Smith formed crucial partnerships, adding 62 runs with Harry Brook (56) and 52 runs with Chris Woakes (25). Both Brook and Woakes were eventually dismissed by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who delivered a masterclass with figures of 2-58 from 21 overs.

"We're in a decent position," England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick remarked after the day's play. "Being ahead of their total with four wickets in hand, we're pretty pleased with where we are."

Trescothick also praised Smith's calm approach, stating, "We emphasize being positive and aggressive, but the real skill lies in knowing when it's the right time to apply pressure."

The morning session was washed out due to rain, and England found themselves struggling at 67-3 in the 15th over, with Asitha Fernando leading the charge for Sri Lanka with figures of 3-68 from 14 overs.

Sri Lanka's fast-bowling coach, Aaqib Javed, lauded Fernando's performance, comparing him to former Pakistan quick Mohammad Asif. "I told him (Asitha) that he has the same ability as Mohammad Asif to move the ball both ways with minimal wrist adjustment. A good length is crucial, and if he consistently hits that spot, Asitha is one to watch."

Sri Lanka had earlier slumped to 6-3, losing their first three wickets without adding a run in a span of 10 balls on Wednesday. However, they managed to post a competitive total thanks to captain Dhananjaya de Silva's 74 and Milan Rathnayake's 72, the highest score by a Test debutant batting at No. 9.

Asitha Fernando continued his impressive spell on Thursday, dismissing Ben Duckett lbw for 18 after a successful review. Two balls earlier, Dan Lawrence, opening in place of the injured Zak Crawley, had overturned an lbw decision against him by challenging umpire Paul Reiffel's call.

Fernando's day improved further when he bowled Ollie Pope, captaining England for the first time due to Stokes' hamstring injury, for six with a delivery that nipped back through a gap between bat and pad.

Pope's dismissal brought Joe Root to the crease. The former England captain, with a stellar record against Sri Lanka, added 42 runs before being dismissed by Fernando. Root inside-edged an attempted drive, with Dinesh Chandimal taking a superb low catch.

Smith, however, responded by driving Jayasuriya for a straight six, while Brook completed a brisk 59-ball fifty. But on the same ground where Shane Warne bowled the famous 'Ball of the Century' in 1993, Jayasuriya produced a moment of brilliance by bowling Brook with a delivery that spun sharply and clipped the top of off stump.

Brook's departure left England at 187-5, and Woakes soon followed, clean-bowled by another sharply turning delivery from Jayasuriya.