In the opening day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, England's Chris Woakes dominated with three wickets as Sri Lanka collapsed to 80-5 by lunch, having started poorly at 6-3. Stand-in captain Ollie Pope, filling in for the injured Ben Stokes, saw his bowlers thrive on a pitch that offered uneven bounce and good carry. Sri Lanka's batting woes were highlighted by poor shot selection, with captain Dhananjaya De Silva providing some resistance by scoring 74 runs. The match began with tributes to late cricketer Graham Thorpe and a ceremony honoring James Anderson, who rang the bell prior to play. This Test marks Sri Lanka's return to England for the first time in eight years, with their batting lineup struggling against the pace attack. The day was characterized by both emotional moments and a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the touring side.