Brook and Smith edge England ahead of Sri Lanka

First Test, Emirates Old Trafford (day 2 of five)

Sri Lanka 236: Dhananjaya 74, Rathnayake 72; Woakes 3-32, Bashir 3-55

England 259-6: Smith 72*, Brook 56; A Fernando 3-68

England are 23 runs ahead

Scorecard

England nudged up of a spirited Sri Lanka connected a truncated 2nd time of nan first Test astatine Emirates Old Trafford.

Half-centuries from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith took nan hosts to 259-6, an advantage of 23 runs, aft rainfall delayed nan opening of nan time and bad ray brought an early close.

The location broadside had to activity difficult to support Sri Lanka astatine bay. At 1 stage, England mislaid 3 wickets for 37 runs to beryllium 67-3 earlier Brook added 58 pinch Joe Root and 62 pinch wicketkeeper Smith.

When Brook was bowled for 56 by Prabath Jayasuriya's ripping turner, England were 5 wickets down and still 49 down Sri Lanka's 236.

But Smith, already truthful astatine location successful Test cricket successful only his 4th match, recovered support from Chris Woakes to push England into nan lead.

They shared England's 3rd half-century guidelines of nan time earlier Woakes became different unfortunate of nan beguiling Jayasuriya.

Smith remained unbeaten connected 72 erstwhile play was abandoned pinch 22 overs unused, while location is nan threat of much bad upwind crossed nan last 3 days of nan match.

Even pinch 2 days curtailed by nan elements, this Test has already contained plentifulness of intrigue and shifts of momentum.

Despite nan wrestle successful nan middle, it has felt for illustration a low-key spectacle. The crowd has been sparse, not helped by nan Wednesday start. Those that turned up person had to woody pinch nan murky skies and bracing upwind sweeping crossed nan ground.

England bowled Sri Lanka retired connected time 1 aft losing nan toss, still location was a play connected time 2 erstwhile it felt for illustration nan hosts had not only fto nan visitors disconnected nan hook, but afloat surrendered nan initiative. Sri Lanka, who were 6-3 connected nan first morning, had 3 wickets successful nan first 11 overs erstwhile play yet began aft luncheon connected Thursday.

England gradually restored their authority done nan people of their middle-order. They were helped by immoderate brisk scoring that only slowed aft Brook was dismissed.

Though England person a lead, nan lucifer is nan balance. With Gus Atkinson astatine number eight, their tail is longer than it would usually be. There were less signs of uneven bounce than connected time one, yet capable deliveries kept debased to propose England would not want to look a important pursuit successful nan 4th innings.

The upwind could yet conclusion some teams. Heavy overnight rainfall is forecast into Friday, pinch much predicted for nan weekend.