Michael Vaughan predicts Sri Lanka can shock England with stunning upset in Manchester Test

Michael Vaughan made a bold prediction for the ongoing opening Test of the three-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester after the tourists made a stunning comeback in the game.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to bat first, and they had a forgettable start, losing three wickets for just six runs to England at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. However, Kusal Mendis tried to keep ticking the scoreboard, but Mark Wood ensured his return to the pavilion for just 24 runs.

Sri Lanka put themselves in a great position against England in the first Test

However, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Milan Rathnayake turned the table for the tourists against the mighty England team. Batting at No. 9, Rathnayake played an impressive knock of 72 runs off 135 balls on his Test debut, while De Silva played a blazing knock of 74 runs off 84 balls, studded with eight fours, to take the Islanders to 236 in their first innings.

The duo also added 63 runs together to help Sri Lanka post a respectable total on the board in their first innings against England in the Manchester Test. Later, the tourists made a brilliant comeback in the game, surprising the hosts with their brilliant bowling in the ongoing first Test.

England cricket could muster only 259/6 at the end of day two of the ongoing Manchester Test, thanks to a fifty from Harry Brook and an unbeaten 72 from wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith against Sri Lanka. England has only a 23-run lead in their first inning on stump against Sri Lanka.

After the end of Day 2 play in Manchester, Vaughan has sparked excitement by predicting that Sri Lanka could pull off a stunning upset if they can set a challenging fourth-inning target of around 200 runs against England in the ongoing first Test.

Michael Vaughan predicts shock upset in Manchester Test

The former England captain Vaughan has also highlighted that the Old Trafford pitch can offer assistance to Sri Lankan bowlers as the game progresses. With the pitch offering grip and turn, Vaughan believes that Sri Lanka's chances are high if they can quickly take the final wickets and capitalize on pressure in their second innings against England.

Michael Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special: “I really like the pitch. I think it will keep Sri Lanka interested. It's all about can they get the four wickets quick enough and can they really bat well in that second innings when they are going to be under a huge amount of pressure. If they can ask England to get 200 in the last innings here at Old Trafford when the ball is just gripping, Sri Lanka can cause a shock this week.”

Vaughan signed off by saying, “It all comes down to that opening set because if Jamie Smith gets going, we saw him against the West Indies at Edgbaston, he can crash the ball to all parts, and he can get 60 in the space of 30-40 balls. If he does that, I think that will be a Test match against England. If they can get Jamie Smith early, then the lead is only 50 or 60. Sri Lanka are right in this Test match with the way the pitch is playing.”