Chasing 204, England started aggressively. The two openers Ben Duckett and Daniel Lawrence scored 33 runs in 5 overs. But Duckett’s dismissal in the sixth over brought a dramatic turn in the match. Losing 4 wickets for 119 runs, the Englishmen are in danger of losing. Sri Lanka became energized. However, Sri Lanka did not have the last laugh on the fourth day of the Old Trafford Test. The hosts took out the match riding on the bat of experienced Joe Root. England lead the three-match series 1–0 with a 5-wicket win. Sri Lanka started the day at 187 for 5 in the second innings. The lead was 65 runs. Kamindu Mendis, who was unbeaten on 52 runs the previous day, took this lead to three figures tomorrow. He was accompanied by Dinesh Chandimal. Sri Lanka got 107 runs in the seventh wicket partnership of the two. Kamindu scored his fourth career century and was dismissed for 113 runs, but Chandimal survived till the last wicket. Scored 79 runs before getting out as the tenth batsman.

After Sri Lanka’s second innings stalled at 326, England’s target for victory was 205. England’s two openers were on pace to ensure a quick win. And while doing that, Asita returned the ball to Fernando by catching Kushal Mendis.

Captain Ollie Pope could not last long. He returned with 6 runs off Prabat Jayasuriya. Opener Lawrence, who scored 34 runs, returned the anointed pacer Milan Ratnayake. Then Root first made a partnership of 49 runs with Harry Brook, where Brook scored 32 runs. England is in danger if Brook returns with a catch in his own hand, Jayasuriya says.

After scoring more than six runs in the over at the beginning, England folded their hands and scored only 13 runs in the next eight overs. Then Jamie Smith started to open his hands again and the run rate increased. The two added 64 runs in the fifth wicket partnership and England reached victory. Smith, who scored 111 runs in the first innings, was bowled by Asita, but Root kept one end. He finally left the field with 62 runs off 128 balls. Chris Woakes remained unbeaten on 8 runs.

Summary Score:

Sri Lanka: 236 and 326 (Kamindu 113, Chandimal 79, Mathews 65; Potts 3/47, Oakes 3/58).

England: 358 and 205/5 (Root 62*, Smith 39, Lawrence 34; Jayasuriya 2/98).

Result: England won by 5 wickets.