England Dominate at Old Trafford: Smith Century Fuels Day Three Charge

England's grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka tightened on a day dominated by a brilliant century from Jamie Smith. The Surrey youngster continued his impressive form, reaching a maiden Test ton before England declared their first innings on 358, a lead of 122 runs.

Sri Lanka's morning started poorly and never really recovered. The visitors suffered a flurry of wickets, with several poor shots and some dubious fielding decisions contributing to their woes. England, on the other hand, displayed impressive resilience and tenacity, capitalising on Sri Lanka's struggles and building a commanding position.

Smith's century, his second in as many innings, was a particularly impressive feat. The young batter walked in with England in a precarious position and quickly took control, showcasing his dynamism and ability to adapt to the situation. He reached his century off 136 balls, with a modest celebration – a simple raise of the bat to acknowledge the standing ovation. The England balcony erupted in applause, as did the appreciative crowd.

England's lower order chipped in with valuable contributions, led by Chris Woakes, who added a quickfire 27 runs. Gus Atkinson, Matt Potts, and Mark Wood all made valuable contributions, demonstrating their all-round abilities.

The afternoon session was a testament to England's dominance. Sri Lanka struggled to find a foothold and looked increasingly dispirited, while England’s bowlers maintained their intensity and accuracy.

One of the highlights of the day was a remarkable crowd catch by a spectator who held onto a huge six from Mark Wood while holding a pint in his other hand. This spectacular catch, deemed the greatest ever by some, quickly went viral on social media, capturing the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd.

With England in a commanding position and Sri Lanka battling to stay in the match, the third day of this Test provided plenty of action and excitement. Smith's century was the undoubted highlight, but the overall team effort and the passionate crowd ensured a thrilling spectacle. The final day promises more drama and intrigue as England aim to secure victory and continue their strong start to the summer.