Jamie Smith's latest Test fifty took England into a narrow first-innings lead in their series opener against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Thursday. England were 259-6 in reply to Sri Lanka's 236, a slender advantage of 23 runs, when a combination of bad light and rain forced an early close to the second day of the three-Test series. Smith, promoted up the order to No 6 in the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes, was 72 not out -- the 24-year-old wicketkeeper's third fifty in his four Tests. Read more on TOI
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Cricket fans around the world were eagerly awaiting the start of the 2024 Test series, and the first match did not disappoint. The opening Test match featured a thrilling battle between two top teams, with Jamie leading the charge for his side. Jamie, a talented all-rounder, showcased his skills with both bat and ball in the first Test. He started off the match with a solid performance with the bat, scoring a crucial half-century to help his team post a competitive total in the first innings. His ability to rotate the strike and find the gaps in the field kept the opposition bowlers on their toes. But it was Jamie's performance with the ball that truly stole the show. He bowled with great control and accuracy, picking up key wickets at crucial moments to put his team in a commanding position. His ability to swing the ball both ways troubled the opposition batsmen, and he was able to extract movement off the pitch to keep them guessing. In the end, Jamie's all-round performance proved to be the difference maker in the match. His contributions with both bat and ball helped his team secure a convincing victory in the first Test of the series. His stellar performance earned him the player of the match award, and he was hailed as the hero of the day by fans and pundits alike. As the series progresses, cricket fans can expect to see more exciting performances from Jamie and the rest of the players. With the level of talent and competition on display, the 2024 Test series is shaping up to be a thrilling and closely contested battle between two top teams. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the series unfolds.