Cricket is more than just a sport in England Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard—it’s a passion that unites fans across generations. In 2024, the Sri Lanka national cricket team toured England for a three-Test series as part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship. This series was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing incredible performances, dramatic moments, and a mix of dominance and defiance. Whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or someone just getting into the game, let’s dive into the action with a clear and simple breakdown of the matches, complete with a detailed scorecard table for each Test. By the end, you’ll feel like you were right there in the stands, cheering with the crowd!
The Stage is Set: England Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 2024
The 2024 Test series between England Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard was a clash of contrasting styles. England, under the aggressive “Bazball” philosophy led by coach Brendon McCullum, played fearless, attacking cricket. Sri Lanka, captained by Dhananjaya de Silva, brought resilience and flair, with their batters and bowlers stepping up in challenging English conditions. The series consisted of three Tests played at iconic venues: Old Trafford (Manchester), Lord’s (London), and The Oval (London). England won the series 2-1, but Sri Lanka’s victory in the final Test stole the show.
Let’s walk through each match, highlight the key moments, and break down the scorecards in a way that’s easy to follow for everyone.
First Test: Old Trafford, Manchester (August 21–24, 2024)
The Match Story
The first Test at Old Trafford was a gripping contest that went down to the wire. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, but their top order crumbled early, slumping to 6-3 in just seven overs. England’s bowlers, led by Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson, were relentless. However, Sri Lanka’s lower order fought back, with Kamindu Mendis scoring a brilliant 113 and Milan Rathnayake adding a gritty 72. Sri Lanka reached 236 in their first innings, a respectable total after such a shaky start.
England’s response was powered by Jamie Smith’s 111 and Joe Root’s steady 62. They posted 358, gaining a 122-run lead. Sri Lanka showed fight in their second innings, with Angelo Mathews (65) and Dinesh Chandimal (79) leading the charge to set England a target of 205. England’s chase wasn’t straightforward—Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Dan Lawrence fell before tea—but Root’s unbeaten 62 guided them to a five-wicket victory. It was a hard-fought win that showcased both teams’ determination.
Key Moments
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Sri Lanka’s Early Collapse: Losing three wickets for six runs put Sri Lanka on the back foot.
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Kamindu Mendis’ Century: His 113 in the first innings was a game-changer for Sri Lanka.
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Joe Root’s Grit: Root’s calm, unbeaten 62 in the chase sealed the deal for England.
Second Test: Lord’s, London (August 29–September 1, 2024)
The Match Story
Lord’s, the home of cricket, hosted the second Test, and England dominated from start to finish. Sri Lanka opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit early conditions, but England’s batters took control. Joe Root smashed centuries in both innings (143 and 103), breaking Alastair Cook’s record for most Test centuries by an England player. Gus Atkinson also shone, scoring his maiden Test century (118) and taking a five-wicket haul (5-62). England piled on 427 in their first innings and declared at 251 in their second, setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 483.
Sri Lanka’s first innings was a struggle, bowled out for 292, with Kusal Mendis (74) and Dimuth Karunaratne (55) offering resistance. In their second innings, chasing a near-impossible total, Sri Lanka fought bravely but fell short. Milan Rathnayake’s 43 was a highlight, but Atkinson’s bowling ensured England’s 190-run victory. This match highlighted England’s depth and Sri Lanka’s grit despite the loss.
Key Moments
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Joe Root’s Twin Tons: Root’s 143 and 103 made him the star of Lord’s.
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Gus Atkinson’s All-Round Heroics: A century and a five-for in the same Test—a rare feat!
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Sri Lanka’s Fight: Despite the loss, their second innings showed heart, with multiple batters contributing.
Third Test: The Oval, London (September 6–9, 2024)
The Match Story
The final Test at The Oval was a thriller, with Sri Lanka pulling off a stunning upset. England batted first after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field. Ollie Pope, captaining in Ben Stokes’ absence, led with a brilliant 154, supported by Ben Duckett’s 86. England posted 325, a solid but not unbeatable total. Sri Lanka’s first innings saw them bowled out for 263, with Dhananjaya de Silva’s 69 being the standout.
England’s second innings was a disaster, collapsing to 156, with Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando taking key wickets. This set Sri Lanka a target of 219—a challenging but achievable chase. Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten 127, one of the great Test innings, steered Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory, their first Test win in England since 1998. It was a moment of pride for Sri Lanka and a reminder that Test cricket is full of surprises.
Key Moments
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Pathum Nissanka’s Masterclass: His 127* was a match-winning knock at a run-a-ball pace.
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England’s Collapse: Losing 10 wickets for 156 in their second innings handed Sri Lanka the advantage.
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Sri Lanka’s Historic Win: Their second 200-plus chase in England was a monumental achievement.
England Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Tables
Below are the detailed scorecards for each Test, summarizing the batting and bowling performances. These tables make it easy to see who scored the runs, took the wickets, and made the difference.
First Test Scorecard: Old Trafford, Manchester (August 21–24, 2024)
|
Team |
Innings |
Score |
Key Performers |
Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sri Lanka 1st Innings |
236 all out (74 overs) |
Kamindu Mendis 113 (183), Milan Rathnayake 72 (135) |
Chris Woakes 3-32 (11 overs), Gus Atkinson 2-48 (16 overs), Shoaib Bashir 3-55 (23 overs) |
|
|
England 1st Innings |
358 all out (85.3 overs) |
Jamie Smith 111 (148), Joe Root 62 (128) |
Prabath Jayasuriya 3-85 (27 overs), Milan Rathnayake 2-87 (18 overs) |
|
|
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings |
326 all out (89.3 overs) |
Dinesh Chandimal 79 (161), Angelo Mathews 65 (145) |
Chris Woakes 3-56 (14 overs), Shoaib Bashir 3-85 (28 overs) |
|
|
England 2nd Innings |
205-5 (57.2 overs) |
Joe Root 62* (128), Jamie Smith 39 (48) |
Asitha Fernando 2-60 (12 overs), Vishwa Fernando 1-40 (10 overs) |
|
|
Result |
England won by 5 wickets |
Second Test Scorecard: Lord’s, London (August 29–September 1, 2024)
|
Team |
Innings |
Score |
Key Performers |
Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
England 1st Innings |
427 all out (102 overs) |
Joe Root 143 (206), Gus Atkinson 118 (115) |
Asitha Fernando 3-97 (20 overs), Prabath Jayasuriya 2-105 (32 overs) |
|
|
Sri Lanka 1st Innings |
292 all out (86.4 overs) |
Kusal Mendis 74 (120), Dimuth Karunaratne 55 (103) |
Gus Atkinson 5-62 (14 overs), Olly Stone 2-70 (15 overs) |
|
|
England 2nd Innings |
251 all out (54.3 overs) |
Joe Root 103 (121), Ollie Pope 69 (84) |
Lahiru Kumara 3-53 (10 overs), Vishwa Fernando 2-38 (9 overs) |
|
|
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings |
292 all out (86.4 overs) |
Dimuth Karunaratne 55 (103), Milan Rathnayake 43 (60) |
Gus Atkinson 5-62 (14 overs), Chris Woakes 2-55 (13 overs) |
|
|
Result |
England won by 190 runs |
Third Test Scorecard: The Oval, London (September 6–9, 2024)
|
Team |
Innings |
Score |
Key Performers |
Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
England 1st Innings |
325 all out (69.1 overs) |
Ollie Pope 154 (156), Ben Duckett 86 (79) |
Lahiru Kumara 4-81 (15 overs), Vishwa Fernando 3-63 (14 overs) |
|
|
Sri Lanka 1st Innings |
263 all out (61.2 overs) |
Dhananjaya de Silva 69 (92), Kamindu Mendis 54 (97) |
Olly Stone 4-62 (12 overs), Josh Hull 3-53 (10 overs) |
|
|
England 2nd Innings |
156 all out (34 overs) |
Jamie Smith 67 (50), Joe Root 35 (61) |
Lahiru Kumara 3-24 (7 overs), Vishwa Fernando 3-29 (8 overs) |
|
|
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings |
219-2 (40.3 overs) |
Pathum Nissanka 127* (124), Kusal Mendis 39 (45) |
Chris Woakes 1-40 (8 overs), Shoaib Bashir 1-52 (12 overs) |
|
|
Result |
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
Standout Performers
England’s Heroes
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Joe Root: The backbone of England’s batting, Root’s consistency was unmatched. His twin centuries at Lord’s and match-saving 62* in Manchester were pivotal.
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Gus Atkinson: The breakout star, Atkinson’s all-round performance at Lord’s (century and five-wicket haul) and his 19 wickets across the series earned him a place on the Lord’s honours board.
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Ollie Pope: Stepping up as captain, Pope’s 154 in the third Test showed his leadership and batting prowess.
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Jamie Smith: The young wicketkeeper-batter’s 111 in the first Test and 67 in the third proved his potential.
Sri Lanka’s Stars
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Pathum Nissanka: His unbeaten 127 at The Oval was a masterclass, earning him Player of the Match and proving he’s Sri Lanka’s best opener.
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Kamindu Mendis: A revelation with 113 in Manchester and 54 at The Oval, Mendis showed he’s a future star.
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Dhananjaya de Silva: The captain led by example, with a fighting 69 in the third Test and steady leadership throughout.
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Lahiru Kumara: His fiery bowling, especially in the third Test (4-81 and 3-24), troubled England’s batters.
What Made This Series Special?
This series was a perfect blend of experience and youth. England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, with its high run rates and bold declarations, clashed with Sri Lanka’s traditional grit and flair. The series also showcased emerging talents like Gus Atkinson and Kamindu Mendis, who proved they belong on the big stage. For fans, it was a reminder of why Test cricket is so special—full of twists, turns, and unforgettable moments.
Sri Lanka’s victory at The Oval was the highlight, not just for the result but for what it meant. As Dhananjaya de Silva said, “To come back here and get a win against English conditions and the England team is great.” For England, despite the loss, Joe Root summed it up well: “It’s been a good summer, we’ve played good cricket, and it’s always nice to see new faces come in.”
Why Cricket Fans Loved It
For anyone watching, this series had something for everyone. Young fans loved the fast-paced action, like Nissanka’s run-a-ball 127. Older fans appreciated the classic Test match battles, like Root’s patient innings or Mathews’ gritty 65. The scorecards tell the story of a series where both teams gave their all, with England’s dominance tempered by Sri Lanka’s unforgettable triumph.
If you’re new to cricket, this series is a great example of why Test matches are the heart of the game. They’re not just about who wins but about the stories—Nissanka’s heroics, Atkinson’s rise, and the sheer drama of chasing runs under pressure. For seasoned fans, it was a chance to see legends like Root and Mathews alongside the next generation.
Looking Ahead
England’s 2-1 series win strengthened their position in the World Test Championship, while Sri Lanka’s Oval victory gave them a massive confidence boost. Both teams will take plenty of lessons into their next assignments—England to Pakistan and New Zealand, and Sri Lanka to home series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
