Despite losing three wickets within the first hour on Day 2 while chasing Sri Lanka’s 236, England quickly regained momentum in Manchester thanks to strong performances from their middle order.
The revival began with a 58-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook, with Brook continuing to shine alongside young Jamie Smith. By Tea, England were comfortably placed at 176/4 and poised to extend their 51-run stand in the final session. However, Prabath Jayasuriya had other plans.
The left-arm spinner, who has established himself as one of the world’s leading spinners since his debut, was handed the ball by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva to start the final session. Despite little assistance from the pitch during the second session, with no significant turn and only one delivery keeping unusually low in his 10-over spell, Prabath remained undeterred.
In the 40th over, he came around the wicket and angled the ball into middle and leg from wide on the crease. The amount of spin he generated was evident as the ball dipped sharply on a good length before turning sharply and unexpectedly.
Brook, caught on the back foot due to the length, attempted a simple defense but was left stunned as the ball whizzed past his outside edge and clattered into the top of off stump.
Take a bow Prabath Jayasuriya 🤩
— Mr. Ali shaikh (@MrAlishaikh7) August 22, 2024
What a delivery to remove Harry Brook for 56 👏 #ENGvsSL #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/1VlYJsZ1Kw
The delivery was as unplayable as they come in Test cricket, and Twitterati quickly praised Prabath Jayasuriya for his masterful display of spin bowling.
