Jonny Bairstow’s second Test century, and two unstoppable spells from James Anderson, put England in total control against Sri Lanka at Headingley.
Advertisement
Stuart Broad meant business very early in the innings, when he went around the stumps to the left-handed Dimuth Karunaratne and got the ball to straighten a touch to induce an outside edge. In between those dismissals, Silva was caught behind off a sharply rising ball from Anderson for 11. Sri Lanka were in serious trouble at 12 for 3 when Broad picked up his second off the very next over, generating some away movement to send Kusal Mendis packing for a duck.
But an overthrown three saw Bairstow to his second Test century and first in England following the Yorkshireman’s 150 not out against South Africa at Cape Town in January.
The other star of the day was Jonny Bairstow, who held five catches in addition to his masterful 140.
Hales showed the caution his colleagues lacked to steady the ship, and Bairstow continued his prolific county form with a fluent and aggressive display before rain brought play to a premature end.
It was not until Bairstow (54no) joined Hales that England’s case was restated, in a partnership which more than doubled the total.
England and Wales Cricket Board has announced a new points system that will be used for England’s matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer.
Sri Lanka have precious little experience of these English conditions, but I’m afraid – Lahiru Thirimanne aside – they didn’t help themselves.
England now sits in fourth position on 105 points (six behind Pakistan), while Sri Lanka is on 88 points in seventh spot (four behind South Africa).
Shanaka, who scored a hundred in Sri Lanka’s final warm-up match without hinting at his worth as a bowler, had taken three wickets for one run in eight balls.
“Today I’m introducing the Super Series, the victor of which will be the overall tour victor for the Sri Lanka and Pakistan series over all formats”, said Straus.
England captain Alastair Cook subsequently enforced the follow on and although England were unable to take another wicket before play was stopped due to bad light, they will be confident of sealing a one-sided victory at some stage on day three.
The dismissal of Mathews was Anderson’s 435th in tests, taking him past India’s Kapil Dev into sixth place on the all-time list.
Then opener Hales, having taken 20 minutes to add to his overnight 71, chose to open up against left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and Dushmantha Chameera took a good catch running in from deep extra cover.
It was a dream start for Shanaka, who had been awarded his Test cap by Mahela Jayawardene before the start of play, and a timely boost for a beleaguered Sri Lanka squad too, who began the match knowing that Dhammika Prasad, their matchwinning seamer on this ground two years ago, will miss the whole Test series after flying home to resolve a shoulder injury.
Advertisement
Alex Hales was 71 not out, with Bairstow unbeaten on 54.
