Ben Duckett Shines as England Faces Sri Lanka in Third Test

Ben Duckett led England to 76-1 at lunch on the first day of the third test against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Despite losing an early wicket, Duckett reached a half-century before bad light halted play. England made one team change, while Sri Lanka made two substitutions.

Ben Duckett made a rapid fifty to lead England to 76-1 at lunch on the first day of the third test against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Friday. Despite losing the early wicket of Dan Lawrence, Duckett reached his half-century before bad light halted play.

Lawrence, on five, was caught by Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva after an ambitious pull off Lahiru Kumara. Duckett hit seven fours on his way to 51 not out, supported by captain Ollie Pope, who is under pressure to perform, and reached 14, including a six over backward square leg.

England, currently 2-0 up in the series, made a team change with debutant fast bowler Josh Hull replacing Matthew Potts. Sri Lanka made two substitutions, recalling Kusal Mendis and preferring seamer Vishwa Fernando over spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.

(With inputs from agencies.)