Sri Lanka's decision to bowl first in the third and final Test against England at The Kia Oval was met with mixed reactions. The match, played under heavy skies and with floodlights blazing, marked the Test debut of 20-year-old left-arm quick Josh Hull.
England, seeking a clean sweep of the series, opted for a point of difference with Hull's inclusion. The young pacer received his cap from Andrew Flintoff, who joined the team as an assistant coach. England's stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, expressed excitement over Hull's call-up, emphasizing the opportunity for him to showcase his skills.
Sri Lanka, too, made unconventional choices, fielding a four-pronged pace attack and leaving out spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Vishwa Fernando replaced Jayasuriya, while Kusal Mendis returned to the side at No. 3, pushing Nishan Madushka down the order.
The match began with complete cloud cover and no sign of rain. England's openers, Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence, faced the challenge of Sri Lanka's pace attack, led by Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.
Sri Lanka's decision to bowl first was based on the overcast conditions and the possibility of swing. However, England's batsmen showed resilience, with Duckett and Lawrence forming a solid partnership.
As the match progressed, the weather conditions remained overcast, providing assistance to the bowlers. Both teams fought hard, with England seeking to extend their dominance and Sri Lanka determined to salvage a win.
The match is poised for an exciting finish, with England looking to complete a clean sweep and Sri Lanka aiming to end the series on a high note.
Tags: #Cricket, #England, #SriLanka, #TestMatch, #JoshHull
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