Summary

  • Second Test, day two, Lord's

  • England close on 25-1 - leading by 256

  • SL dismissed for 196 after England post 427 thanks to Atkinson's century

  • Watch highlights on Today at the Test from 19:00 BST on BBC Two and iPlayer

Live Reporting

by Ffion Wynne

  1. It was never going to be straightforward was it?

    Gus Atkinson needed a review to stay out in the middle this morning.

  2. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Watching Gus Atkinson reaching his century has been one of my most enjoyable mornings for a long time.

  3. Eng 399-8

    Olly Stone is the new batter as Sri Lanka turn to a bit of spin, with Prabath Jayasuriya giving the ball a twirl.

    After all the drama so far there is a chance to take a breath, with a couple of singles and a two off the over.

  4. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Jonny Winterburn: An unbeaten century would take Atkinson's average north of 40. A century and out and it would still be 30+, well above his bowling average. How many games does one need before becoming an official all-rounder. Who needs Stokes anyway?

  5. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Well, in fairness, Gus Atkinson barely gave Matthew Potts a chance to bat this morning!

  6. wicket

    WICKET

    Potts c Madushka b Fernando 21 (Eng 393-8)

    Matthew Potts has had a few deliveries escape past his outside edge, but he nicks one this time.

    He is drawn forward by a teasing delivery from Asitha Fernando and feathers it through to the wicketkeeper.

    Potts departs for 21, but he stuck around long enough to let Gus Atkinson clatter his way to a century.

  7. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Andrew: Travelling between Kandy and Colombo after two weeks in the wonderful, friendly country that is Sri Lanka and everyone is rooting for Gus Atkinson!

  8. Century, five-fer and 10-fer at Lord's

    Gus Atkinson becomes only the sixth player to hit a century, take five wickets in an innings and take 10 wickets in a match at Lord's.

    The others are Gubby Allen (England), Keith Miller (Australia), Stuart Broad (England), Chris Woakes (England) and Ian Botham (England).

  9. Gus Atkinson has carried a serious expression this morning, but broke into a wonderful smile as he held his bat aloft to the England balcony and the Lord's crowd, who rose to their feet as one.

    What a moment.

  10. Eng 393-7

    What are we watching?! Gus Atkinson has just carted the ball through midwicket for another four.

    These are not just slogs either, they are proper cricket shots.

  11. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Tattz, Harborne: “Lord's? Completed it mate”. Gus Atkinson, 2025. What a player.

  12. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    He has only played five days of Test cricket here and he's on all three honours boards already.

    Just amazing. And this morning, he never looked like he wouldn't get there.

    England have got themselves a genuine bowling all-rounder. He's put Joe into the shade! The drives straight down the ground have been beautiful and he's played the short ball brilliantly too.

  13. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    A stunning innings.

    What an impact he has made in his Test career so far. He's made a dramatic intervention in this game, just phenomenal.

    Nerves? There were none this morning, he has just powered his way to a century.

  14. 100 runs

    100 for Gus Atkinson

    And there it is! Gus Atkinson reaches his maiden Test century in style with a superb straight drive past mid-on.

    He's effectively reached it at a run a ball too, with 11 fours, four sixes, as he moves to 103 off 103 deliveries.

  15. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Anonymous: Come on Gus!!! am waiting for a hospital appointment and my blood pressure is rising I will have to explain this is the Gus nears 100 effect.

  16. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    He has played superbly well. He's only faced 100 balls!

  17. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    That's the shot of the Test match! Joe Root couldn't have played that any better!

  18. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Luke, Breck Farm, Weybourne: Delaying our departure to Sheringham beach in the hope Gus makes it over the line! #nervous

  19. Eng 385-7

    What a shot!

    Gus Atkinson has just hit an absolutely glorious drive through the covers for four.

    He moves onto 99.

  20. Eng 381-7

    Gus Atkinson guides the ball down to third man for a single to move onto 95.

    If Atkinson is nervous he is not showing it. Game face is well and truly on.

    Milan Rathnayake gets one to shape away beautifully from Matthew Potts to end the over but just evades the outside edge.