England Dominates Opening Session Against Sri Lanka in First Test

Sri Lanka struggled at 80-5 during the lunch session on Day 1 of the first test against England in Manchester. Despite winning the toss and opting to bat on a seemingly good pitch, England's seamers put pressure on the visitors, reducing them to 6-3 initially. A brief rebuilding effort was halted just before lunch.

England's bowlers dominated the opening session of the first test against Sri Lanka, reducing the visitors to 80-5 by lunch on Day 1. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka succumbed to England's tight bowling. The tourists initially fell to 6-3, with figures of 2-17 for Chris Woakes.

Dinesh Chandimal and captain Dhananjaya de Silva tried to stabilize the innings, but Chandimal was trapped lbw by Shoaib Bashir just before lunch. De Silva remained unbeaten on 28, partnered by Kamindu Mendis (5). Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood also contributed key wickets for England.

Ollie Pope stepped in as England's captain in the absence of Ben Stokes, who sustained a hamstring injury. Sri Lanka's debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake was selected ahead of Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara.