Dhananjaya de Silva declared superior to Ollie Pope as Kumar Sangakkara tells English critics to ‘shut up'

Former Sri Lanka National Cricket Team skipper Kumar Sangakkara was in awe of current skipper Dhananjaya de Silva's plan to dismiss Ollie Pope in the second innings of the ongoing Test against England National Cricket Team. The game between the teams is taking place at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

England National Cricket Team were cruising in the chase of the 205 runs and were well placed at 50/1. However, it was then when Dhananjaya de Silva came up with an out-of-the-box plan, and his move paid off as stand-in skipper Ollie Pope fell into the trap.

Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was bowling over the wicket and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva placed one fielder at first slip and another at leg slip. The spinner was bowling to pitch the ball outside the leg stump and with that angle, lbw dismissal was almost out of the equation.

Prabath Jayasuriya was forcing the batters to do something different. Opening batter Dan Lawrence took a single and allowed Ollie Pope to take the strike. The England National Cricket Team stand-in skipper then fell into the trap of Dhananjaya de Silva as he went back to the hut.

On the third ball of the over, Ollie Pope attempted a reverse sweep. Then, on the next ball, he padded the delivery but his struggle ended on 5th ball of the over when Prabath Jayasuriya removed him and sent him packing.

Ollie Pope attempted a reverse sweep another time from the defensive line. However, he miscued the ball as it ended up hitting the toe-end of the bat and popped up to de Silva, at first slip. The Sri Lanka skipper was elated after his move paid off.

The wicket of Ollie Pope brought England National Cricket Team back into the game. The hosts lost their second wicket for 56 runs. Dan Lawrence got out as well and the team was left tottering at 70/3. Jayasuriya has been the pick of the bowlers so far with his two wickets.

Give credit to Dhananjaya de Silva as captain - Kumar Sangakkara on Ollie Pope's dismissal

As Ollie Pope got out, Kumar Sangakkara, who was commentating, was in awe of the way the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team made the plan. He highlighted how the visitor's captain thought something different. While lavishing praise on the captain, he explained:

"Well, I think we should all just shut up here and give credit to Dhanajaya de Silva as captain. They thought of something different, something completely different, and Jayasuriya has delivered, of course with a little help from Ollie Pope. The cue end of the bat has happened a couple of times. Dhananjaya de Silva saying, 'I told you so'."

Coming to the game, England after losing quick wickets took control of the match, Joe Root along with Jamie Smith put Sri Lanka bowlers under pressure and the hosts now look favourites to win the game