At the end of the first day, the England team managed to collect 358 runs. Considering the pitch, it can be called a large collection. Because the average run of this pitch in the first innings is 309. England has already collected 358 runs with the loss of 7 wickets. So there is a chance for England to collect 400+ in the first innings.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field. Although the bowlers were able to bowl well enough at the beginning of the innings, the Sri Lankan bowlers did not do well against Joe Root. ROOT collected 143 runs in the first innings. Also, Atkinson is still at the crease with 74 runs from 81 balls. Matthew Potts also scored 20 runs. England may be able to collect 420-430 runs in their first innings.
England team scored more than our prediction and that was their best performance I think they will easily cross 450 runs if their players stay on the wicket but it seems too difficult because they are short of wickets, they already lost 7 wickets and their player Atkinson played like he is on T20 match hah common buddy who can do 74 runs on 81 balls in a test match, he is near to the century but they way he is playing makes it difficult to complete his century in this match. If he completes his century then they can easily cross 450 targets and they will give a target near to it but here the question is whether the Srilankan batsman has the potential to chase that target, their bowlers did good bowling, and they out many players with a little score but what their batsmen can win the match?
I agree with you. England's batsmen batted better than we expected. After England lost their fourth wicket for 130 runs, we probably didn't think that the team would be able to collect 300+. But due to the responsible batting of Root and Atkinson, England managed to collect 358 runs by losing 7 wickets at the end of the day. This is a very good collection.
If the Sri Lankan bowlers fail to bowl well in the first session tomorrow, it will not be difficult for England to collect up to 450. Because Atkinson is batting aggressively. He is batting at 90+ strike rate. So tomorrow's first session is very important for the Sri Lankan bowlers. Sri Lankan bowlers will have to try to pick up quick wickets.