The Sri Lankan batsmen were completely dominated by the Englishman as the hosts went one-nil up in the 3 match Test Series with a massive win at Headingley, a short while ago.
The Lankans couldn’t rise back up after their first innings collapse and were bundled out for a mere 119 in their 2nd essay, which lasted just 35.3 overs. Sri Lanka’s opening pair, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva, resumed the 3rd day’s play on the overnight score of 1/0. Karunaratne hung around for a while but he nicked one to Keeper Jonny Bairstow for just 7 runs. Silva and youngster Kusal Mendis showed some resilience but James Anderson struck once again, removing Silva, to reduce Sri Lanka to 35/2.
Then came the biggest partnership of the Lankan innings; Dinesh Chandimal and Mendis put on 44 runs for the third wicket, at a decent clip. Chandimal was the more sedate one in the partnership while Mendis scored fluently on the other end. Mendis soon brought up his maiden Test half century, making up for the missed opportunity in the 1st innings when he was dismissed for 0.
Lankans in shambles; England turn the tables
Moeen Ali struck in his very 1st over and after Chandimal’s dismissal, the Lankans were unable to build any partnerships of significance. Skipper Angelo Mathews did not last long and the only batsman who looked in control, Mendis, followed soon after, leaving the Lions struggling at 93 for 5.
Sri Lanka were only able to add a further 26 runs to their total as the English pace attack ran amok. English spearhead Anderson completed his ten wicket haul with another fifer in the second innings while Steven Finn, who wasn’t amongst the wickets in the first innings, took three wickets.
Hales and Bairstow weather the Dasun Shanaka storm
Anderson’s 10 wicket haul helped England to an innings and 88 run victory while Bairstow bagged the Man of the Match award for his fighting 140 which enabled England to post a respectable total in the 1st innings.
The teams will now move to Chester-le-Street in Durham for the 2nd Test which begins on the 27th of May.
