England cricket team led by Ollie Pope took the first lead in the three-match series with a clinical win over Sri Lanka in Manchester. The England bowlers set the tone by restricting Sri Lanka to 236 in the first innings.

Nasser HussainTheir batters then built on this with a terrific display, securing a substantial first-innings lead. Jamie Smith led the charge with a hundred while Harry Brook added a half-century, which set up a great foundation for the hosts.

Other England batters also contributed valuable runs when it mattered, helping the team gain a crucial 122-run lead. Sri Lanka posted 326 in the second innings. In response, England chased down the target (205/5) as they won the game by 5 wickets at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, former England captain, Nasser Hussain dropped his honest reaction after England got the better of the visitors in the Test opener. While speaking to Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain stated that the Three Lions would continue to adopt Bazball approach.

"England are not binning Bazball, far from it. They have got Jamie Smith and Harry Brook, who are going to be in this Test side for a long time, who will absolutely belt it for years to come. It is just about being a bit smarter when you are in those positions where it could go either way. In those key moments where we have lost another wicket, where we look to sit in and then we will go again," the former England cricketer added.

Furthermore, he stated that Ben Stokes' absence from the set-up made Joe Root to stick to cautious approach. "Joe Root could have played that in so many different ways in the run-chase but he saw there was no Stokes after him, he saw there was a slightly longer tail, and a pitch that was suiting Sri Lanka, so he just said 'I have to be here at the end," Hussain added.