Former Sri Lanka National Cricket Team captain Kumar Sangakkara admired current skipper Dhananjaya de Silva’s plan to dismiss Ollie Pope in the second innings of the ongoing Test against England. cricket Team. The game between the teams takes place at “Old Trafford” in Manchester.
England National Cricket Team were watching in pursuit of 205 runs and were well placed at 50/1. However, it was when Dhananjaya de Silva came up with an unexpected plan and his move paid off as Ollie Pope in the scandinavian was trapped.
Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was bowling over the wicket and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva placed one at first slip and another at leg slip. The spinner was bowling the ball to the leg-stump edge, and with that angle, an lbw dismissal was almost out of the equation.
Prabath Jayasuriya was forcing the batsmen to do something different. Opening batter Dan Lawrence took a single and allowed Ollie Pope to strike. The England National Cricket Team captain was then trapped by Dhananjaya de Silva on his way back to the hut.
In the third ball of the over, Ollie Pope attempted a reverse sweep. Then in the very next ball, he delivered but his struggle ended in the 5th ball when Prabath Jayasuriya removed him and sent him packing.
Ollie Pope attempted another reverse sweep from the backline. However, he mistimed the ball as the ball hit the toe of the bat and reached de Silva at first slip. The Sri Lankan captain was delighted after his move paid off.
Ollie Pope’s wicket brought the England National Cricket Team back into the game. The hosts lost the second wicket for 56 runs. Dan Lawrence also got out and the team collapsed at 70/3. Jayasuriya has been the pick of the bowlers so far with two wickets.
Credit Dhananjaya de Silva as captain – Kumar Sangakkara to Ollie Pope’s dismissal
Commenting when Ollie Pope got out, Kumar Sangakkara was impressed with how the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team came up with this plan. He highlighted how the visitors’ captain thought differently. While praising the captain, he explained:
“Well, I think we should all shut up here and give credit to Dhananjaya de Silva as captain. They thought of something different, completely different, and Jayasuriya delivered, of course, with a little help from Ollie Pope. The cue was over. Dhananjaya de Silva, ‘I told you ‘, it happened several times.
Coming into the game, England took control of the match after losing quick wickets, with Joe Root and Jamie Smith putting the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure and the hosts now look favorites to win the game.
