Smith hits back after England collapse against Sri Lanka

SL’s Vishwa Fernando celebrates the wicket of England’s Harry Brook in London yesterday. Pic/Bipin Patel

Jamie Smith's dashing 67 revived England after they suffered a dramatic collapse in the third Test against Sri Lanka at the Oval on Sunday. England were in the dire position of 66-4 in their second innings on the third day when the wicketkeeper came in to bat on his Surrey home ground. At tea, they had recovered to 140-8 following Smith's third fifty in six Tests since the 24-year-old made his England debut in July.

That left England, already 2-0 up in this three-match series, with an overall lead of 202 and hope of a first home Test clean sweep since 2004 after routing the West Indies 3-0 earlier in the season. Smith, however, fell on the stroke of tea when he chipped Vishwa Fernando to short midwicket to end a superb 50-ball innings featuring 10 fours and a six that was a testament both to his game management and his orthodox stroke-play.

Also Read: Simran's personal best powers her to bronze in 200m final

Left-arm quick Vishwa Fernando, gaining prodigious swing, also captured the prized wicket of Joe Root for just 12 in a return of 3-40. Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook had criticised the hosts for sloppy batting while slumping from 221-3 to 325 all out in their first innings.

England's Moeen retires from int'l cricket

England's World Cup-winner Moeen Ali has retired from international cricket, insisting: "I've done my part." The spin-bowling all-rounder said he made the decision after he was overlooked for England's upcoming white-ball series against arch-rivals Australia. "I'm 37 years old and didn't get picked for this month's Australia series," Ali told Britain's Daily Mail. "I've played a lot of cricket for England. It's time for the next generation, which was also explained to me. It felt the time was right. I've done my part," he added.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever