Sri Lanka's Bold Bowling Gambit at Lord's Pays Off

Sri Lanka took three key English wickets on the first morning of the second test at Lord's. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva's decision to bowl first was validated as Fernando, Rathnayake, and Kumara made early inroads. England struggled to 97-3 by lunch with Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease.

In a surprising strategic move, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva opted to bowl first on the opening morning of the second test against England at Lord's. By lunch, Sri Lanka had taken three significant English wickets, justifying De Silva's gamble.

England's Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, and Ben Duckett were dismissed cheaply, leaving the hosts at a precarious 97-3 by lunch. Joe Root, with 29 runs, and Harry Brook, with 9, remained at the crease, attempting to stabilize the innings.

Opening bowlers Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake exploited the early swing. Fernando drew first blood when Lawrence edged a wide ball to keeper Nishan Madushka. Pope threw his wicket away with a high top-edge catch to De Silva. Despite some resistance from Duckett, who scored at nearly a run a ball, he too fell before lunch, mis-hitting a reverse sweep to deep point.

(With inputs from agencies.)