Hales and Bairstow weather the Dasun Shanaka storm

England opener Alex Hales (71*) and wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow (54*) made fighting half-centuries to revive their first innings after debutant Dasun Shanaka’s triple-strikes put Sri Lanka right on top of the first Test which commenced on Thursday at Headingley, Leeds.

The persistent rain washed out the entire third-session as the play was called-off prematurely when the hosts’ were 171 for 5 in 53 overs. Both right-handers added 88 off 21 overs for the 6th wicket to guide England somewhat out of danger after being 83 for 5 as Shanaka led the way with ball for the Islanders.

Earlier in the game, Angelo Mathews had no hesitation to field first after winning the all-important toss on an overcast morning. Both teams handed debuts to James Vince (England) and Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka).

The England captain Alastair Cook, who started his innings needing just 36 more runs to become the first Englishman to score 10,000 runs in Tests, got off the mark with a trademark clip off his legs for four against Eranga in the very first over.

The openers, Cook and Hales put on 49 in 20 overs before the former was caught behind by Dinesh Chandimal for 16 as Shanaka inflicted a thin outside edge from a full-length delivery just outside the off-stump. Three deliveries later, Shanaka had No.3 batsman Nick Compton out for a duck with a similar delivery which took the edge and went low towards Lahiru Thirimanne who held onto a smart catch.

From 49 for 0, England became 51 for 3 as their premier batsman. Joe Root also fell for a duck to Shanaka as nicked straight to gully fielder, Kusal Mendis. Shanaka had taken three wickets for one run in eight balls, again proving the value of accurate medium pace in conditions which assists the seamers who can bowl it both ways.

During the first hour before Shanaka started his spell, the tourists bowled a bit short of length which enabled the Englishmen to stand tall and play on the back-foot quite convincingly.

After being 57 for 3 at lunch, Hales resumed his merry way with debutant James Vince positively as the latter struck two fours, through the covers and past the bowler to show signs of maturity but was undone by Shaminda Eranga by a good-length delivery which was taken neatly at gully again by Mendis.

Hard-hitting all-rounder Ben Stokes retaliated smashing three fours in no time but gave a simple catch to Mathews at mid-on off Nuwan Pradeep as the hosts were 5 down for only 83 runs.

Hales and Bairstow batted positively and scored more than 4 runs per over to punish the Lankans who did not stuck to their game plan of bowling full and straight. Hales completed an admirable 112-ball 50 in the circumstances when he drove Dushmantha Chameera behind point for his 10th four.

DRS came to the rescue of Bairstow when he was given out LBW for 41 but successfully reviewed the decision and soon afterwards lofted spinner Rangana Herath for six and cut Mathews past gully for a four to reach his 7th Test half-ton.

Players from both sides wore black armbands in memory of all those killed by the disastrous flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka.

The Match will be continued tomorrow for second day’s play.