England Moves Into Dominant Position Against Sri Lanka After First Test Century for Jamie Smith

England moved into a commanding position in first test against Sri Lanka after wicketkeeper Jamie Smith's maiden century gave hosts a le of 122 runs following first innings at Old Trafford on Friday.

Smith hit 111 before England, replying to Sri Lanka's 236 all out, was dismissed for 358 just before lunch on third day.

Sri Lankans n lost two wickets in final three overs of morning session and were 10-2 at lunch, still 112 runs rift of making England bat again.

Nishan Mushka was bowled by Chris Woakes for a duck off third ball of Sri Lanka's innings, before Kusal Mendis also departed without scoring after nicking Gus Atkinson behind to Smith.

It completed a fine start to day for 24-year-old Smith, who was chosen ahe of Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow to be England's wicketkeeper for this international summer and hasn't let his country down.

Solid with gloves behind stumps, Smith has also been impressive with bat having struck kcks of 70 and 95 in England's 3-0 test series win over West Indies last month.

His first test century, in his fourth match, contained eight fours and one six as Smith guided tail through to a big total considering England was 67-3 at one point.

Atkinson (20) and Smith resumed with England on 259-6 overnight, and pair shared a 66-run partnership for seventh wicket. Matw Potts (17) and Mark Wood (22) weighed in with important contributions. Asitha Fernando finished with team-best bowling figures of 4-103.

Dimuth Karunaratne (4 t out) and Angelo Maws (6 t out) were in middle for Sri Lanka at end of a chastening session for tourists.