Debutant Josh Hull experienced the highs and the lows of Test cricket at The Oval, celebrating his first international wicket but dropping a costly catch as Sri Lanka fought back.

England batted carelessly in a chaotic morning session to turn their overnight position of 221 for three into an underwhelming 325 all out, with Sri Lanka finishing 211 for five after a rocky start to their reply.

Twenty-year-old Hull has fast-tracked from Division Two of the County Championship after just 10 first-class appearances, promoted due to his imposing 6ft 7in frame and left-arm angle, and found himself in the thick of the action on day two.

Coming in at No 10 he was part of England’s batting collapse in the morning session, with the hosts losing their last six wickets for just 35, but the youngster’s real challenge came when stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, who had earlier turned his overnight century into 154, threw him the ball for the first time.

Midway through his third over, Hull had a moment he will never forget as Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka was brilliantly caught at short cover by a diving Chris Woakes.

The tourists slumped to 93 for five soon after – Olly Stone taking two as well as executing an opportunistic run out – but rallied as Dhananjaya de Silva (64no) and Kamindu Mendis (54no) put on 118.

With bad light meaning England could only utilise spin after tea, there was only one concrete chance to part the duo and Hull shelled it. Shoaib Bashir drew a mis-hit from De Silva and the ball sailed straight to the newcomer, who made a mess of a regulation chance as it squirmed to the floor.

He looked aghast as his error was replayed on the big screen and would have felt every one of the 59 runs that came before play was called off for the day.

England went wicketless in the evening gloom, with 17 overs of spin split between Bashir, Dan Lawrence and Joe Root, and will relish the chance to unleash Hull and his fellow seamers under brighter skies on Sunday.

England's Top Order Woes

England's batting woes continued from the previous day, with the top order failing to capitalize on their overnight lead. Ollie Pope, who had reached his century the previous day, added just 51 runs before being dismissed, leaving England struggling to reach 300.

Harry Brook, who had been dropped on 12, also failed to make a significant contribution, scoring just 19 runs before being caught at cover. The lower middle order then crumbled rapidly, with Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes falling cheaply.

Hull's Debut Wicket

Despite England's disappointing performance with the bat, the real story of the day was the debut of Josh Hull. The 20-year-old left-arm seamer, who had been fast-tracked from Division Two of the County Championship, made a promising start to his international career.

Hull came on to bowl midway through the afternoon session with Sri Lanka comfortably placed at 70-2. The youngster bowled with accuracy and pace, and was rewarded for his efforts when he took the wicket of Pathum Nissanka in his third over.

Nissanka had been looking dangerous, and Hull’s delivery, which was pitched up at 82 mph, was too good for the batsman. The ball swung back in out of the hand, drawing Nissanka into a drive that he basically toed to extra cover, where Woakes took a fine diving catch.

A Costly Drop

However, Hull's day was not without its hiccups. Later in the day, he dropped a dolly of a catch at mid-on, allowing Dhananjaya de Silva to continue his innings. De Silva went on to score 64 runs, putting on a crucial partnership with Kamindu Mendis (54no).

Hull's drop was a costly error, and one that could have been a defining moment in the match. Had he taken the catch, England would have been in a much stronger position to bowl Sri Lanka out.

Hull's Potential

Despite his costly drop, Hull’s debut was a positive one. He showed glimpses of his potential, and his height and left-arm angle give him a significant advantage over other bowlers.

England’s selection of Hull is a statement of their intent. They are looking to build a team for the future, and they are willing to take risks on young players with potential.

The fast bowler’s selection is a two-year project and began to bear fruit in the final Test against Sri Lanka.

Hull's debut was a mixed bag, but his potential is huge. With more experience, he could become a key player for England.

A New Era for English Cricket

The selection of Josh Hull is indicative of a new era for English cricket. The team is no longer afraid to take risks, and they are looking to build a squad that can compete on the international stage.

The future is bright for English cricket, and players like Josh Hull are at the forefront of this new era.

Hull's Impact

Josh Hull's debut was a significant moment in the history of English cricket. His ability to take wickets and bowl with accuracy and pace has made him a valuable asset to the team. Hull's impact has been felt immediately, and his presence in the team has given England a new dimension.

Whether Hull can live up to his potential remains to be seen. However, one thing is for certain: he is a player to watch.