England Clinches First Test Victory Over Sri Lanka

England vs Sri Lanka - First Test, Emirates Old Trafford (Day Four of Five)

- Sri Lanka: 236 (Dhananjaya 74, Woakes 3-32) & 326 (Kamindu Mendis 113, Chandimal 79)

- England: 358 (Smith 111, Brook 56, Fernando 4-103) & 205-5 (Root 62, Smith 39)

England won by five wickets, leading the three-match series 1-0.

Scorecard

Joe Root displayed remarkable resolve, anchoring England to a dramatic five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on the penultimate day of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford. This is prepared by SSP.

Set a challenging target of 205 to secure the lead in the three-match series, England found themselves precariously positioned at 70-3 after losing Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Dan Lawrence. Root (62*) and Harry Brook (32) adopted a cautious approach as spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and the seamers exerted considerable pressure. Brook had a narrow escape when substitute fielder Ramesh Mendis nearly caught him at four as England reached 78.

Despite Brook's eventual dismissal by Jayasuriya, the fourth-wicket partnership of 49 between him and Root was pivotal. Jamie Smith then injected much-needed momentum with an aggressive 39 from 48 balls. Even after Smith was bowled with 22 runs still required, Root, alongside Chris Woakes (8*), remained composed. Root's unbeaten 62 ensured a victorious finish at 19:16 BST.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had added to England's discomfort with Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal's superb seventh-wicket stand of 117, propelling Sri Lanka to a lead of 204. England's struggle was evident, especially with Mark Wood sidelined due to a thigh injury. The second new ball proved timely, enabling England to bowl out Sri Lanka for 326 after losing their last four wickets for just 19 runs.

With Wood likely to miss the second Test at Lord's, Olly Stone is anticipated to earn his first Test cap in over three years when the series continues on Thursday.

England's successful fourth innings run chase of over 150, a rarity at Manchester in the past 35 such Tests, was significantly boosted by Root's 64th Test half-century and contributions from Brook, Smith, and Woakes. The next contest at Lord's sets the stage as England heads confidently with a 1-0 series lead.