The second Test series of this summer offered a fascinating contrast to last month's encounter with the West Indies. England triumphed in both, first with a commanding victory at Lord’s, where they wrapped up the match within three days by an innings and 114 runs. Then, in a more drawn-out contest at Old Trafford, Joe Root played a pivotal role in securing a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka, only at the close of the fourth day.
While Jimmy Anderson’s retirement lent the Lord’s match a sentimental air, the final moments at Old Trafford were tinged with the warm glow of a setting sun rather than nostalgia. Although England’s victory was led by a seasoned player in his 144th match, the team’s energy felt refreshingly forward-looking. Ollie Pope, leading the side for the first time at 26, and Jamie Smith, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper from Surrey who shone in his debut Test summer, signalled a team looking to the future. Despite both games starting with the opposition struggling—West Indies collapsing to 88 for seven and Sri Lanka to 92 for six—the similarities ended there. While some fans might prefer swift, decisive victories, this latest match saw England stretched and challenged right to the final run, in contrast to the more relaxed fourth day at Lord’s, spent on the golf course.
Root, in fact, had golf on his mind during the Saturday match, aiming to avoid the game dragging into Sunday. His innings was uncharacteristic, taking him 95 balls to hit his first boundary—a stark contrast to his usual rate of one every 16 balls. In his partnership with Harry Brook, Root added just 15 runs off 51 deliveries. Reflecting on this, he remarked that the pitch played a significant role, describing it as "slow and turgid," with an outfield comparable to "the semi-rough at most golf courses."
Sri Lanka, despite a poor start and limited preparation, delivered an exciting performance, particularly after a puzzling lull on day three. Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya bowled with precision, and Dhananjaya de Silva, leading in only his fourth match as captain, exhibited positive and enterprising leadership. Kamindu Mendis emerged as a promising talent, with three centuries and two fifties in his first seven Test innings, suggesting a bright future for him in the format. With this experience under their belt, Sri Lanka is expected to be even more competitive in the upcoming matches.
England, meanwhile, continues to evolve. The inclusion of 20-year-old Josh Hull adds further youth to the squad as they prepare for their return to Lord’s in the second Test starting on Thursday. This victory, though not achieved in the aggressive style that has become synonymous with Brendon McCullum’s coaching tenure, was a source of pride for the team.
Root acknowledged the unusual conditions for this time of year in England, expressing pride in the team’s ability to adapt and secure a hard-fought win. He noted that while it’s not ideal to consistently "win ugly," the ability to do so, with a day to spare, demonstrates the team’s growth in managing and reading the game.
With Mark Wood sidelined due to a thigh strain, Root, now the second-oldest member of the squad at 33, commented on how the younger players help him stay young, likening the experience to that of Peter Pan, never needing to grow up. The camaraderie in the team, he said, is strong, even if it comes with a bit of friendly teasing, as Brook humorously called him "grandad."
Root also shared a light-hearted moment from the opening day when he and the 25-year-old Brook raced to prevent a boundary, with Brook jokingly urging him not to be outpaced. Root reflected that moments like these, where they could forget the pressures of the game and simply enjoy it, are what make the experience truly special.
As the series progresses, the upcoming Test at Lord’s on Thursday promises to continue this positive momentum, making it an exciting place to be for both the team and their supporters.