England vs Sri Lanka player ratings as ‘brainless’ Pope scores 4/10 in second Test

LORD’S — England clinched a dominant win against Sri Lanka in the second Test to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

The hosts were always going to win this match on the fourth day given Sri Lanka started it on 53 for 2 in pursuit of a world-record target of 483.

Yet they were made to work for the final eight wickets needed on this final day as half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya De Silva held up their victory charge.

Gus Atkinson, who scored a remarkable century from No 8 earlier in the match, took another five-wicket haul on this final day as England completed a 190-run win.

It was the third time in four innings Atkinson’s bowling has seen him added to the Lord’s honours board after his 12 wickets on debut against the West Indies earlier this summer.

Ollie Pope, in charge for this series in place of the injured Ben Stokes, has not had a good Test with the bat.

But he can take comfort from the fact he has at least won both matches as stand-in captain.

England, who whitewashed West Indies 3-0 in July, are also now just one more victory away from winning every Test in a home summer for the first time since 2004.

In all 66.4 overs were needed to finish the job against Sri Lanka on this final day.

Ben Duckett – 5/10

Made 64 runs across two innings. Not his best Test match but improvement on his series opener in Manchester and best of a misfiring top three here.

Dan Lawrence – 2/10

Scores of nine and seven were not what he needed to quieten grumbles over him filling in as an opener. Does he play in this week’s final Test at The Oval?

Ollie Pope – 4/10

Captaincy improved from first Test but diminishing returns with bat a worry. Grand total of 18 runs here and two brainless dismissals.

Joe Root – 10/10

Record-breaking run machine showcased his genius with twin hundreds that put him out on his own among England century makers.

Harry Brook – 6/10

Failed to get to fifty after two starts and now has just one Test century in his last 11 matches. Needs to be more ruthless.

Jamie Smith – 6/10

Two scores in the twenties and a few errors with gloves. Toughest Test so far. First international summer may be catching up with him.

Chris Woakes – 7/10

England’s most consistent bowler, especially with the new ball. Now averages 12.90 with ball in Lord’s Tests.

Gus Atkinson – 9/10

Bowled well, with final-day five-fer, but his match will always be remembered for the astonishing century with the bat from No8.

Matthew Potts – 6/10

Only took two wickets but improved performance and looked much more of a threat with ball than in the opening Test in Manchester.

Olly Stone – 7/10

Not quite like-for-like replacement for Mark Wood but pace and bounce caused Sri Lanka serious issues in first Test for three years.

Shoaib Bashir – 4/10

Took two for 99 across both innings. Still learning on the job and struggled at times against experienced players of spin.