Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the thumb by a bouncer from England's fast bowler Mark Wood. Chandimal, who was on 10 at the time, faced a sharp, rising delivery from Wood at 143 kph during the ongoing first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.
Mark Wood's bouncer injures Dinesh Chandimal
The physio was immediately summoned to the field as Chandimal was clearly in pain, clutching his right thumb and index finger. Despite attempts to assess and treat his discomfort, the swelling on his thumb worsened, and Chandimal, recognizing his inability to continue, walked off the field.
Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva took the field after Chandimal's departure, hoping to stabilise the innings.
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Chandimal has been extremely unlucky in this Test. In the first innings, he was dismissed by a delivery that barely rose off the pitch. This time, he was injured by a delivery with extra bounce.
Jamie Smith's maiden Test century was a standout performance, propelling England to a 122-run lead on day three. Smith, playing in just his fourth Test since his debut against the West Indies, reached a composed 111 off 148 balls. This achievement made him the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test century for England. His celebration was understated, acknowledging the crowd with a brief raising of his bat.
England, resuming the day at 25 for 6, had Smith and Gus Atkinson at the crease. After Atkinson was dismissed for 20 by debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake, Smith followed shortly after, caught behind by Chandimal off the bowling of Prabath Jayasuriya. England's tail-enders, Mark Wood and Matthew Potts, added some quick runs before Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando wrapped up the innings, dismissing England for 358.
Sri Lanka's innings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets before lunch. Nishan Madushka was bowled for a duck by Chris Woakes, and Kusal Mendis was caught behind by Smith off Atkinson. With Sri Lanka struggling at 10 for 2, Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews will have a difficult task ahead as they attempt to salvage their innings and put pressure back on England.
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