England Fans At Old Trafford Welcome Anderson With A Special Song As He Arrives For ENG vs SL Test

ENG vs SL 1st Test: England are currently playing Sri Lanka in the first match of the three-match Test series. The English team is without their full-time Test captain Ben Stokes who has been ruled out of the English summer due to a hamstring injury. Prior to the England vs Sri Lanka Test series, the 'Three Lions' defeated West Indies 3-0 and gained crucial points to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final to be played next year.

Old Trafford Rises Up to English Legend James Anderson

In one of the rare sights, England are playing a Test match on their home soil without Broad and Anderson. Stuart Broad retired last year after the Ashes ended and his long time bowling partner Jimmy Anderson called time on his international career after the ENG vs WI Test series this year. Anderson is one of the greats to have played the game of cricket and his career stats testify to this fact.

ALSO READ | The 'Mecca of Cricket' Lord's Set to Add Another Historic Chapter and Will Feature India and England

In a heartwarming gesture, crowds at Old Trafford rose up to James Anderson as he entered the stadium. They also had a special song to welcome the English great to his home ground. Jimmy, as he passed just smiled and waved to the crowd as a sign of acknowledgement.

Watch The Video Here

ENG vs SL 1st Test, Day 1: As It Happened

Sri Lanka recovered from slumping to 6-3 after seven overs to post a respectable 236 on Day 1 of the first test against England on the back of half-centuries by captain Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Milan Rathnayake at Old Trafford on Wednesday. England were 22-0 in their reply before bad light brought about an early end to play in Manchester on a day that started with an emotional tribute to the late England batter Graham Thorpe.

Following a dominant 3-0 series win over the West Indies, England started in similar fashion against the Sri Lankans by taking three quick early wickets and later reducing the tourists, who won the toss, to 40-4 and 113-7 on what looked a dry and hard pitch that favored batters.

ALSO READ | 'They Screwed Up': Michael Vaughan Doesn't Mince Words, Criticizes ECB Over Scheduling Of Matches

However, Sri Lanka’s tail wagged with Silva hitting an 84-ball 74 and fast bowler Rathnayake hitting six fours and two sixes in a 72 in his first innings in test cricket.