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Sri Lanka's Dilruwan Perera. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Picturesque Galle, which hosts the first match of the three-Test series beginning Tuesday, has always been a special venue for the spin warhorse. He made his international debut here against Australia in 1999, rejuvenated his career at the age of 31 by taking five wickets in Galle against Pakistan and, in 2016, claimed a hat-trick at the ground against the same nation. Now Herath, the last active Test player to have made his debut in the 1990s, needs just one more scalp to reach 100 wickets at his favourite hunting ground.
While injuries have limited recent appearances, he will be making one last effort to join Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan (Galle, Kandy and SSC Colombo) and England paceman James Anderson (Lord's) as the only bowlers to register a century of Test victims on the same ground. The rain gods have not been very kind to the visitors throughout the series. England could manage only one four-day match against a Sri Lanka Board XI before the first Test, and the rain made sure it was reduced to a two-day affair.
This has forced discussions within the England camp about changes in the team composition. “We’ve got a bit of thinking to do,” is what Trevor Bayliss, the Head Coach, told Talksport, meaning they could even restructure their bowling attack, breaking the traditional pairing of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, and go in with a three-man spin attack. Broad might be unlucky and have to sit this out, while Jos Buttler's place which is insecure could well go to Ben Foakes.
“Buttler and Foakes are both still very much in our thinking,” Bayliss said. “Definitely one of them will be keeping but how we structure the batting order and what combination of bowlers we put in to the team could determine who eventually gets the gloves.”
Left-arm threat
England, who will be without their retired opening stalwart Alistair Cook for the first time since March 2006, know they have to resist Herath's threat if they want to secure a winning start on their quest for an elusive away series win. "I've watched little bits on YouTube and I just like everything about what he does, his action and how easy it looks," said England's left-arm spinner Jack Leach.
"The batter's mentality is to want to score boundaries so you have to be clever with that." Leach, who made his debut for England against New Zealand in March but was then sidelined with a broken thumb, said he was learning from watching Herath.
"There's a lot of good things in there that are worth looking at for me and are definitely very helpful," Leach said. The 27-year-old Leach bowled 13 tidy overs and took one wicket in his team's second warm-up match at the weekend, which was cut short by rain like many of England's games on this tour. Joe Root's side will be desperate to rectify their dismal recent away record when the series begins.
England outplayed India 4-1 at home this year, but have won just once on their travels -- in South Africa almost three years ago -- since their famous 2012 victory in India. Keaton Jennings is expected to open alongside Rory Burns, who is set for his Test debut as Cook's replacement.
With wicketkeeper-batsman Johnny Bairstow unlikely to be fit, Jos Buttler or uncapped Ben Foakes will be behind the stumps. "I think there are (places to play for) definitely," England all-rounder Moeen Ali said, adding that the balance of the bowling attack would be crucial. "Are we going to play three spinners? Two spinners? What seamers are going to play? Do you need pace or control? That's for the coach and captain to decide," he said.
Sri Lanka, led by Dinesh Chandimal, will be looking for redemption against England after losing the one-day series 3-1 and the lone Twenty20 international.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Alika Dananjaya, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dilruvan Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Kusan Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Roshen Silva, Kaushal Silva
England: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
Commentary (England innings)
58.6 S Lakmal to Curran, On the shorter side, Curran goes onto the back foot quickly and pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 1! 199/6
58.5 S Lakmal to Curran, Works this with the angle towards mid on. 197/6
58.4 S Lakmal to Curran, On a length around off, Curran lunges and keeps it out. 197/6
58.3 S Lakmal to Foakes, Another ball guided through point for a run. 197/6
58.2 S Lakmal to Foakes, Back of a length on off, the batsman defends it onto the ground. 196/6
58.1 S Lakmal to Foakes, FOUR! Two runs short of 50 now. Clever shot this. Saw the width on offer and then just runs it down to the vacant third man region. 196/6
57.6 A Dananjaya to Curran, On the shorter side, it is pushed back to the bowler. 192/6
57.5 A Dananjaya to Curran, The offie outside off, Curran pads it away. 192/6
57.4 A Dananjaya to Curran, Another loopy ball on middle, the batsman gets right behind the line and blocks it. 192/6
57.3 A Dananjaya to Curran, Slower through the air on middle, it is kept out. 192/6
57.2 A Dananjaya to Curran, Another loopy ball on off, the batter is solid in defense. 192/6
57.1 A Dananjaya to Curran, Tosses it up on off, the batsman gets behind the line and keeps it out. 192/6
56.6 S Lakmal to Foakes, Fullish and on off, the batsman times it to mid off. 192/6
56.5 S Lakmal to Foakes, On a length again around off, the batsman blocks it out. 192/6
56.4 S Lakmal to Foakes, On off, this one stays a touch low. Foakes keeps it out. 192/6
56.3 S Lakmal to Foakes, On a length around off, the batsman strokes it towards covers. 192/6
56.2 S Lakmal to Foakes, Fuller on off, it is driven through covers. 192/6
56.1 S Lakmal to Foakes, Well short! Short and on middle, Foakes goes for the pull but it is not a full-blooded pull shot. It goes uppishly but well short of the mid-wicket fielder. Beats him and the batsmen take two. 192/6
55.6 A Dananjaya to Curran, The batsman has played it to the point region. 190/6
55.5 A Dananjaya to Curran, SIX! That has gone a long way! It was the googly and it is tossed up around off, Curran goes for the big shot. Connects well and it sails over the long off fence. 190/6
55.4 A Dananjaya to Foakes, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. 184/6
55.3 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Another off spinner, Foakes once again flicks it towards mid-wicket with the turn. 183/6
55.2 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Another tossed up ball around off, the batsman plants his front foot forward and then flicks it to mid-wicket. 183/6
55.1 A Dananjaya to Foakes, The offie on off, it turns back in. The batsman works it to mid-wicket. 183/6
54.6 S Lakmal to Curran, The batsman plays the square cut. 183/6
54.5 S Lakmal to Curran, Back of a length on off, Curran punches it to find covers. 183/6
54.4 S Lakmal to Curran, Again on the shorter side, Curran tries to push it but the ball goes off the inner half towards the bowler. 183/6
54.3 S Lakmal to Curran, Shortish and around off, the batsman punches it to covers. 183/6
54.2 S Lakmal to Curran, On a length around off, the batsman keeps it out. 183/6
54.1 S Lakmal to Curran, Back of a length on off, the batsman goes back and keeps it out. 183/6
Suranga Lakmal is back on.
53.6 D Perera to Curran, On the pads, the batsman works it through square leg for a run. 183/6
53.5 D Perera to Curran, This is quicker and on off, the batsman pushes it to covers. 182/6
53.4 D Perera to Foakes, Uses his feet and gets to the pitch of it, Foakes eases it down to long on and now is 9 short of a fifty on debut. 182/6
53.3 D Perera to Foakes, This is worked towards mid-wicket with the turn. 181/6
53.2 D Perera to Curran, Very full again, Curran strokes it down to long on for a run. 181/6
53.1 D Perera to Foakes, Flatter on off, it is pushed towards covers. 180/6
52.6 A Dananjaya to Curran, The leg spinner this time from outside off, it comes back in sharply. The batter pushes it to covers. 179/6
52.5 A Dananjaya to Curran, A little too full and it is pushed towards mid off. 179/6
52.4 A Dananjaya to Curran, Another tossed up ball and it is pushed to covers. 179/6
52.3 A Dananjaya to Ben Foakes, This is eased down to long on for another run. The partnership between the two is 15. 179/6
52.2 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flatter on off, Foakes defends it onto the ground. 178/6
52.1 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flatter on middle, the batsman works it through square leg for a run. 178/6
51.6 D Perera to Curran, Tosses it up on middle, Curran hits it back towards the bowler. 178/6
51.5 D Perera to Curran, Fires it on middle, Curran goes back and blocks it onto the ground. 178/6
51.4 D Perera to Curran, Not a lot of turn on this one as it is bowled on off, Curran keeps it out with ease. 178/6
51.3 D Perera to Curran, Curran is solid in defense. The pitch seems to have eased out a little. 178/6
51.2 D Perera to Foakes, Clips it nicely through square leg for a single. 178/6
51.1 D Perera to Foakes, Flatter around off, the batsman goes back and keeps it out. 177/6
50.6 A Dananjaya to Curran, Flatter on the pads, Curran works it to short leg. 177/6
50.5 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Takes a single by easing this down to long on. 177/6
50.4 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Another tossed up delivery, it is driven back to the bowler. 176/6
50.3 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Slower through the air around off, Foakes defends it out. 176/6
50.2 A Dananjaya to Foakes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 176/6
50.1 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Tosses it up on off, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. 176/6
Akila Dananjaya is back on.
49.6 D Perera to Curran, BEATEN! Another beauty! Tosses it up around off, enticing the batsman to go for the drive. Curran is lured into the shot but is beaten by the away spin. 176/6
49.5 D Perera to Curran, From around the wicket, the bowler fires it on middle, it is kept out. 176/6
49.4 D Perera to Foakes, Uses his feet again and flicks it through square leg for a run. 176/6
49.3 D Perera to Curran, A low full toss on the pads, Curran flicks it fine down the leg side and takes a run. 175/6
49.2 D Perera to Curran, Full again, Sam brings his bat ahead of his front pad and blocks. 174/6
49.1 D Perera to Curran, Drifting in from around the wicket, Curran prods forward and defends. 174/6
48.6 R Herath to Foakes, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 174/6
48.5 R Herath to Foakes, Herath extracting some good turn from this deck now. Lands it on middle and leg and it turns away sharply. Foakes is squared up a bit he still manages to defend it somehow. 174/6
48.4 R Herath to Curran, Takes a step ahead, leans into the drive and places it to long on for one run. 174/6
48.3 R Herath to Curran, Stays back and keeps it out without much trouble. 173/6
48.2 R Herath to Curran, Fuller, spinning in from around off, kept out off the front foot. 173/6
48.1 R Herath to Curran, Sam skips down the track, gets close to the pitch and blocks it back in the bowler's direction. 173/6
47.6 Perera to Foakes, NOT OUT! And that is why as he is well in due to his dive. Foakes steps out and flicks it through mid-wicket. He runs one and wants the second. The batsmen go for it. The fielder in the deep covers good ground to his left, picks the ball up and throws it towards the bowler who deflects it onto the stumps. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and it shows Curran is safe. 173/6
A run out appeal against Curran at the non-striker's end is taken upstairs. He seems relaxed.
47.5 D Perera to Foakes, It is once again bowled flatter on off, Foakes goes back and defends it out. 171/6
47.4 D Perera to Foakes, Flatter outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. 171/6
47.3 D Perera to Curran, This is eased down to long on, a single taken. 171/6
47.2 D Perera to Curran, On middle, the batsman defends it. 170/6
47.1 D Perera to Curran, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball. It is worked towards mid-wicket. 170/6
46.6 R Herath to Foakes, This is pushed towards covers. 170/6
46.5 R Herath to Foakes, Slower through the air again on off, Foakes waits for it and then guides it to point. 170/6
46.4 R Herath to Curran, Just short! Herath gives it a nice loop on middle, it pitches and turns back in. Takes the inner half of Curran's bat and goes uppishly but just short of short leg. The fielder there dives to his right, makes a half-stop but can't stop a run. 170/6
46.3 R Herath to Foakes, Flatter and on middle, the batsman goes and whips it through mid-wicket. Chandimal starts to run after it but he suddenly starts limping. He somehow gets to the ball. The batsmen run three and now the skipper is seen walking off the field. Not good signs. They would hope it is not something serious. Lakmal will now take over as captain. 169/6
46.2 R Herath to Foakes, Slower through the air on off, Foakes waits for it and then guides it towards point. 166/6
46.1 R Herath to Foakes, Tosses it up around off, Foakes pushes it to covers. 166/6
45.6 D Perera to Curran, Fires it on the leg stump, the batsman easily keeps it out. A maiden. 166/6
45.5 D Perera to Curran, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 166/6
45.4 D Perera to Curran, On the pads, it is worked towards square leg. 166/6
45.3 D Perera to Curran, The straighter one now and Curran keeps it out. 166/6
45.2 D Perera to Curran, BEATEN! Lovely bowling! Slower through the air around off, it pitches and turns away. Curran lunges and tries to keep it out but is beaten by the away turn. 166/6
45.1 D Perera to Curran, Flatter on off, Curran keeps it out. 166/6
44.6 R Herath to Foakes, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 166/6
44.5 R Herath to Foakes, Stays behind the line and keeps it out. 166/6
44.4 R Herath to Foakes, That was close. Rangi darts it full around off, Foakes looks to dig it out but misses. Luckily for him, the ball missed the off pole. 166/6
44.3 R Herath to Foakes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 166/6
44.2 R Herath to Foakes, Short and flat outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a couple of runs. 166/6
44.1 R Herath to Foakes, Loopy and full, outside off, blocked off the front foot. 164/6
Drinks break. The first half of this afternoon session was going well for England as Buttler and Foakes were dealing with the spin threat well. Rotated the strike well and got the odd boundary too. Seemed like they would carry on, but Dilruwan once again struck and dismissed Buttler. Odds back in Sri Lanka's favour right now. They will look to make further inroads. Meanwhile, Sam Curran walks out to bat.
43.6 D Perera to Buttler, OUT! GOT 'EM! Dilruwan strikes again. That's a sharp catch from Dickwella behind the stumps too. Perera lands it outside off, Buttler thinks it's going to turn but it doesn't and that becomes his undoing. He plays at it, gets a feather behind and the keeper does well to keep a hold of it. Partnership of 61 comes to an end, and it's come at the right time too for Sri Lanka. Right at the hour mark of the session. 164/6
43.5 D Perera to Buttler, Lbw appeal! Not given by umpire Erasmus. Height the issue? Seems like it. It spins in sharply from outside off and catches Buttler high on the thigh pad as he was looking to flick. 164/5
43.4 D Perera to Buttler, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 164/5
43.3 D Perera to Buttler, Minimal turn on this, Buttler waits for the ball to come to him before blocking it out. 164/5
43.2 D Perera to Foakes, Rotating the strike well here. Foakes knocks this down the ground towards long on and changes ends. 164/5
43.1 D Perera to Buttler, Short, flat and outside off, punched off the back foot past the cover fielder for a run. 163/5
42.6 R Herath to Foakes, Flicked away to mid-wicket but no run taken by the batsmen. 162/5
42.5 R Herath to Foakes, Goes deep inside the crease and works this spinning ball straight to short leg. 162/5
42.4 R Herath to Buttler, Comes ahead to this full ball and pushes it to long off for another run. 162/5
42.3 R Herath to Buttler, Quicker delivery on off, Jos is forced to go back and defend. 161/5
42.2 R Herath to Foakes, Full again, wider outside off this time, eased through the gap in the covers for a single. 161/5
42.1 R Herath to Buttler, Flighted delivery outside off, driven through mid off for one. 160/5
41.6 D Perera to Foakes, Leans ahead and across to this tossed up ball and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. 159/5
41.5 D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle and off, defended. 159/5
41.4 D Perera to Foakes, FOUR! Tossed up on middle, Foakes gets low and sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary. Ben is looking quite alright out there, doing a fine job with the bat. 159/5
41.3 D Perera to Foakes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 155/5
41.2 D Perera to Foakes, Ben skips down the track, gets close to the pitch and defends the turning ball. 155/5
41.1 D Perera to Buttler, Darts this one quicker and flatter outside off, Jos Buttler goes inside the crease, across the sticks and works it away on the leg side for a single. 155/5
Dilruwan Perera is back to roll his arm over.
40.6 R Herath to Ben Foakes, Drifting in on middle and leg, wristed towards the man at mid on. 154/5
40.5 R Herath to Buttler, Loopy and full, outside off, Buttler reaches out for it as he drives it down the ground to long off. One run taken. 154/5
40.4 R Herath to Buttler, Works it away with a closed face to mid-wicket. 153/5
40.3 R Herath to Buttler, Flat, short and on middle and leg, the batsman goes on the back foot to work it down on the leg side. 153/5
40.2 R Herath to Buttler, Throws this outside the line of off stump, full in length, pushed away for no run. 153/5
40.1 R Herath to Buttler, Quite slow through the air, full on middle, Jos with a tight front foot defense. 153/5
39.6 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Short, flat and turning in, worked through to deep backward square leg. Single collected. The 50-run stand comes up with that. This has been a good partnership between these two. 153/5
39.5 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Loopy and full, in line of the stumps, wristed away through mid-wicket for one more. 152/5
39.4 A Dananjaya to Jos Buttler, Switches the angle and comes from around the wicket, tosses it right up there. Buttler comes forward and whips it to wide long on for a single. 151/5
39.3 A Dananjaya to Buttler, FOUR! Spills this down the leg side, all too easy for Buttler who swivles and helps it across the fine leg fence. Maybe trying too much here, Akila. Should keep it simple and settle into a rhythm first. 150/5
39.2 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Too straight in line, worked straight to short fine leg. 146/5
39.1 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Sliding in on the pads, Jos nudges this fine down the leg side. Gets two easy runs for it. 146/5
38.6 R Herath to Foakes, The arm ball, around off, Foakes looks to force it on the off side but gets an inside edge which falls besides him. 144/5
38.5 R Herath to Buttler, Buttler goes back to this short ball and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. 144/5
38.4 R Herath to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 143/5
38.3 R Herath to Buttler, Outside off, quicker in pace, punched square to point with an open face. 143/5
38.2 R Herath to Buttler, Quicker and flatter outside off, kept out off the back foot. 143/5
38.1 R Herath to Buttler, Tossed up on off, blocked solidly from the front foot. 143/5
Rangana Herath comes back on to bowl.
37.6 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Akila once again bowls it slightly shorter on off, Buttler goes back and then works it around the corner for a single. 143/5
37.5 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Goes back to the flatter ball and then flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. He is playing really well here. 142/5
37.4 A Dananjaya to Foakes, FOUR! A little too full and the bowler pays the price. The spin is out of contention so Foakes strokes it against the spin and through covers for a boundary. 141/5
37.3 A Dananjaya to Jos Buttler, Gives it air around off, Buttler tries to drive it through the off side but gets an inside edge towards mid on for a run. 137/5
37.2 A Dananjaya to Buttler, The offie a little too wide outside off, Buttler pads it away. 136/5
37.1 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Floats it up outside off, Foakes reaches out to the delivery and just pushes it nicely through covers. The timing is really good and the batsmen get three. 136/5
36.6 S Lakmal to Buttler, Takes the pace off this one, it's full outside off, Buttler crouches a bit and defends. 133/5
36.5 S Lakmal to Buttler, Stays on the back foot on this occasion and punches it through the covers for a double. 133/5
36.4 S Lakmal to Buttler, FOUR! That's hit straight as an arrow. Full and on middle, Buttler thumps this back aerially past the bowler. Lakmal sticks his right hand out to try and catch it, but there was too much power behind it. A boundary results. 131/5
36.3 S Lakmal to Buttler, Good length delivery on off, it's defended out from inside the crease. 127/5
36.2 S Lakmal to Buttler, Full again, fraction straighter in line, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. 127/5
36.1 S Lakmal to Buttler, Fuller length delivery on off stump, blocked off the front foot. 127/5
35.6 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Full and attacking the stumps, Foakes looks to sweep, connects well too but straight to the fielder on the leg side. 127/5
35.5 Dananjaya to Foakes, Stifled shout, shut down. Going down leg. Full on leg, Foakes looks to defend but is struck on the front pad. 127/5
35.4 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Leans ahead and drives it towards mid on for a single. 127/5
35.3 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Once again Jos is on the back foot to defend this out. 126/5
35.2 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Stays behind to this shorter and flatter ball and defends. 126/5
35.1 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Straighter one outside off, Jos has nothing to do with it. 126/5
34.6 S Lakmal to Foakes, FOUR! He's put that away handsomely. Shorter in length, Foakes picks the length up early. Rocks back, latches on to it with a heave and sends it across the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. 126/5
34.5 S Lakmal to Foakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 122/5
34.4 S Lakmal to Foakes, Outside off on a good length, no shot offered. 122/5
34.3 S Lakmal to Foakes, Good shot. Won't find the boundary but it's enough to fetch him a couple. Foakes takes a step out and drives this full delivery through the covers. 122/5
34.2 S Lakmal to Foakes, Just behind a length, close to off, blocked from inside the crease. 120/5
34.1 S Lakmal to Foakes, Angling in at first but then shaping away from a good length, Foakes is squared up a bit as he defends this out. 120/5
Change of ends for Suranga Lakmal. Two slips and a gully in place.
33.6 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Full and straight, in line of the stumps, stonewalled by coming forward. 120/5
33.5 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Plays with the spin and turns it away into the leg side. A single is taken. 120/5
33.4 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Sharp turn for Akila. Lands it outside off and it comes back in, catches Foakes on the pads who looks to block. 119/5
33.3 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Goes deep inside the crease, uses the spin to turn it to backward square leg. 119/5
33.2 A Dananjaya to Jos Buttler, Middles this one. Places it through the gap in the covers for one. 119/5
33.1 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Floats this off break around off, it spins in, Buttler looks to drive but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. 118/5
Akila Dananjaya is into the attack again.
32.6 R Herath to Foakes, Stays back and defends it out to end the over. 118/5
32.5 R Herath to Foakes, Drives this full delivery through the line but finds mid off. 118/5
32.4 R Herath to Foakes, Herath keeps tossing it up there, defended out. 118/5
32.3 R Herath to Foakes, Full once more, Foakes has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 118/5
32.2 R Herath to Foakes, Fuller in length, attacking the stumps, a straight bat is presented in response. 118/5
32.1 R Herath to Foakes, Drifting in from around off, Ben with a front foot defense to keep it out. 118/5
31.6 S Lakmal to Buttler, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line, pushed away in front of covers to end the over. 118/5
31.5 S Lakmal to Buttler, Hangs back inside the crease, watches the ball closely and defends. 118/5
31.4 S Lakmal to Buttler, Length ball in the channel outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. 118/5
31.3 S Lakmal to Buttler, FOUR! That's gone to the rope, but a good effort from Dananjaya. Buttler stands tall and punches this back of a length delivery through the covers. Akila chases after it, tries to stop it with a slide but his foot touches the rope in trying to do so. 118/5
31.2 S Lakmal to Buttler, On the shorter side of things, around off, Buttler is up again as he defends it down on the off side. 114/5
31.1 S Lakmal to Buttler, Back of a length close to the off stick, Buttler rises on his toes and presents a tight defense. 114/5
30.6 R Herath to Foakes, Quicker one around off, Foakes looks to cut but gets an inside edge which bounces over the stumps and goes behind. 114/5
30.5 R Herath to Foakes, Flat, short and quick around off, punched away off the back foot. 114/5
30.4 R Herath to Foakes, Full and straight, driven back down the track. 114/5
30.3 R Herath to Foakes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 114/5
30.2 R Herath to Foakes, Drifting in on middle and off, Foakes presses forward and dead-bats it. 114/5
30.1 R Herath to Foakes, Tossed up outside off, pushed defensively in front of cover. 114/5
Rangana Herath will bowl from the other end.
29.6 S Lakmal to Buttler, Shortish delivery outside off, Buttler rises on his toes and taps it down on the off side. 114/5
29.5 S Lakmal to Foakes, Short of a good length on middle and leg, nudged to square leg for a run. 114/5
29.4 S Lakmal to Foakes, Late movement away for Lakmal as he pitches it on a length outside off, it's played off the outer half to gully. 113/5
29.3 S Lakmal to Foakes, Marginally ahead of a length, around off, Ben Foakes blocks it out solidly. 113/5
29.2 S Lakmal to Foakes, Back of a length on the hips, worked in front of square on the leg side. 113/5
29.1 S Lakmal to Foakes, Coming in at first but then shaping away late, on a length. Foakes stays inside the crease and blocks it down on the off side. 113/5
We are back for the afternoon session. The Lankan players make their way out, looking to take the remaining wickets quickly. The pair of Buttler and Foakes on the other hand, will look to build a partnership and take England to safer shores. Suranga Lakmal will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka. Here we go...
... Day 1, Session 2 ...
Barring Dananjaya, everybody else contributed to the wickets column. Lakmal began things, then Herath dismissed Root to break the 62-run stand and then Perera bagged two quick ones in his second spell. You could say England sort of threw their wickets away, the batsmen could have been more cautious in their approach. The second session will begin at 1240 local, tune in for that. Will be interesting to see how that pans out.
A good session for both, but a better one for Sri Lanka. The runs have flowed for England, all 113 of them, but they've lost half their side as well. It was a session where the tide turned back and forth. Was with Sri Lanka first when Lakmal took two quick wickets, then with England when Root and Jennings made a fifty stand, but then the wickets kept falling at regular intervals and Sri Lanka slightly have the upper hand at the end of the session.
28.6 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Floated on leg, Buttler sweeps it fine down the leg side and gets two more runs. LUNCH ON DAY 1! 113/5
28.5 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Jos Buttler shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 111/5
28.4 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Tossed up off spinner on middle, blocked off the inner half on the leg side. 111/5
28.3 A Dananjaya to Buttler, Short and outside off, sits up for Buttler who goes back and punches it through the covers for a brace. 111/5
28.2 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Plays it with the spin and works it away on the leg side for a run. 109/5
28.1 A Dananjaya to Foakes, Beaten! Foakes goes back instead of coming forward, plays for the turn as the ball is pitched outside off. There is none and he gets beaten past the outside edge. 108/5
Akila Dananjaya comes back on.
27.6 D Perera to Buttler, Bowls this a bit slower through the air, on off, it's blocked on the track in front of him. 108/5
27.5 D Perera to Ben Foakes, Dances down the track, gets close to the pitch and knocks it to long on for a single. 108/5
27.4 Perera to Foakes, An lbw shout, rightly turned down by the umpire. Impact well outside off. Spins in, Foakes goes across to defend but is caught on the pads. 107/5
27.3 D Perera to Buttler, Quicker one around off, driven towards mid on for one run. 107/5
27.2 D Perera to Buttler, Buttler is rock solid in defense. Goes deep inside the crease and defends it on the off side. 106/5
27.1 D Perera to Buttler, Minimal turn around off, Jos goes back and keeps it out. 106/5
26.6 R Herath to Foakes, Plays with the turn and eases it square towards point. 106/5
26.5 R Herath to Foakes, Quite slow through the air and landed on a driving length, spins away. Ben looks to defend but gets it off the outer half on the off side. 106/5
26.4 R Herath to Foakes, Keeps tossing it up there, close to off, Foakes comes forward and defends. 106/5
26.3 R Herath to Foakes, Outside off, full in length, pushed away to short cover. 106/5
26.2 R Herath to Foakes, Positions himself right behind the line and keeps it out. 106/5
26.1 R Herath to Foakes, Pitched on leg, Foakes nudges it fine down the leg side and gets two runs for it. 106/5
25.6 D Perera to Buttler, Drags his length back ever so slightly, it spins in and takes the inside edge of Buttler's defensive bat towards short fine leg. 104/5
25.5 D Perera to Buttler, Fullish in length and served outside off, the batsman is well forward in defense. 104/5
25.4 D Perera to Buttler, Over the wicket now, it's darted down leg, Jos misses his attempted flick shot. 104/5
25.3 D Perera to Jos Buttler, Quite full again, outside off, drilled straight to Herath at mid off. 104/5
25.2 D Perera to Buttler, Extremely full from around the wicket, Buttler wrists it square on the leg side. 104/5
25.1 D Perera to Buttler, Tossed up in line of the stumps, swept away towards short fine leg. 104/5
24.6 R Herath to Foakes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 104/5
24.5 R Herath to Foakes, A lot of loop on this one, pushed away from the body towards covers. 104/5
24.4 R Herath to Foakes, Eases this full ball away towards mid off. Another dot. 104/5
24.3 R Herath to Foakes, Comes forward and meets it with a straight blade in response. 104/5
24.2 R Herath to Foakes, The arm ball on middle and leg, flicked in front of mid-wicket. 104/5
24.1 R Herath to Ben Foakes, Edged but short. Spinning away from a full length, around off, it takes the edge of Foakes' hanging bat and falls short of first slip. 104/5
23.6 D Perera to Buttler, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. Another successful over from the offie. 104/5
23.5 D Perera to Foakes, Foakes is off the mark in Test match cricket. Flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. 104/5
23.4 D Perera to Foakes, Stays on the back foot and keeps it out. 103/5
The debutant Ben Foakes to bat next. Not the ideal situation for him to walk in in his very first Test match, but he'll have to dig deep and stick it out with Buttler.
23.3 D Perera to Stokes, OUT! Stokes is out of here! Dilruwan Perera has shaken things up for England after coming back on to bowl. Rather poor from Stokes. Dilruwan continues from around the wicket and drifts it in, the all-rounder goes across too much and too early to play the paddle sweep and pays the price as a result. Misses the ball completely and the ball goes off his thigh pad and crashes into the stumps. 5th wicket down for England. 103/5
23.2 D Perera to Stokes, Big shout for a leg before, turned down. Going down leg. Full and sliding in on leg, Stokes looks to defend but is struck on the pads. Good call by the umpire. No reviews left for Sri Lanka either. 103/4
23.1 D Perera to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 103/4
22.6 R Herath to Jos Buttler, FOUR! The 100 comes up for England with this boundary. Looped up outside off, Buttler drives it through the covers and finds the fence without any trouble. 103/4
22.5 R Herath to Buttler, Touch straight in line, closes the face and works it to mid-wicket. 99/4
22.4 R Herath to Buttler, A little too full outside the line of off stump, driven to covers but straight to the fielder. 99/4
22.3 R Herath to Buttler, Floated outside off, pushed square to point for no run. 99/4
22.2 R Herath to Buttler, Darted down leg, the batsman attempts to flick it away but can't get any bat on it. 99/4
22.1 R Herath to Buttler, Loopy and full, spinning away from around off, Buttler tamely pushes it to covers. 99/4
21.6 D Perera to Stokes, Stokes goes on the back foot and defends to end the over. 99/4
21.5 D Perera to Buttler, Darted across the batsman, Buttler dabs it towards short third man and crosses over. He's off the mark. 99/4
21.4 D Perera to Buttler, Dilruwan comes from around the wicket now, fires it on the pads, Jos works it towards short fine leg. 98/4
21.3 D Perera to Buttler, Quick again, full on off and not much turn on offer, Buttler defends once more. 98/4
21.2 D Perera to Buttler, Quick, flat and outside off, Buttler meets it with the full face of the bat. 98/4
Jos Buttler walks into the middle next.
21.1 Perera to K Jennings, OUT! The bowling change works immediately. Dilruwan strikes first ball on his return to the attack. Keaton Jennings, who was looking so good, departs just missing out on a fifty. Sliding in from around the wicket, on middle and leg, Jennings backs away to cut but it comes at him too fast. Goes right through and disturbs the furniture behind. Big breakthrough for the Lankans, the set batsman is out of here. 98/4
Dilruwan Perera is back on.
20.6 R Herath to Stokes, Shifts his weight on to the front foot and meets it with a straight blade. 98/3
20.5 R Herath to Jennings, Goes with the spin and clips it away through square leg for a single. 98/3
20.4 R Herath to Jennings, Tossed up delivery around off, Jennings comes forward and gets rapped on the front pad. 97/3
20.3 R Herath to Stokes, Makes good use of the feet. Flicks it toward wide long on by getting close to the pitch. Stokes wants the second but then decides against it. 97/3
20.2 R Herath to Stokes, Stays on the back foot and keeps it out safely. 96/3
20.1 R Herath to Jennings, Spinning in, fuller around off, Keaton gets forward and across before paddling it fine down the leg side. One run to the total. 96/3
19.6 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Pushes away on the off side from the crease for one. 95/3
19.5 A Dananjaya to Jennings, FOUR! Sri Lanka need to do something to plug the runs. Coming far too easily for the visitors. Akila drifts it on the pads, Jennings sweeps it away across the fine leg fence for a boundary. 94/3
19.4 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Comes on the front foot again and keeps it out. 90/3
19.3 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Flights it up on off, blocked. 90/3
19.2 A Dananjaya to Jennings, FOUR! The runs keeps coming for England. Short and wide from Akila, Jennings from the back foot cuts this square through point for a boundary. 90/3
19.1 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Outside off on a bit of a shorter length, blocked with the full face of the bat. 86/3
18.6 R Herath to Stokes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 86/3
18.5 R Herath to Stokes, FOUR! Wrong line from Herath and he pays the price. Tossed up on the pads, Stokes gets low quickly and sweeps it in front of square leg. Finds the fence without any trouble. 86/3
18.4 R Herath to Stokes, Switches the angle and comes from around the wicket, pushes it quicker and across Ben Stokes. The all-rounder camps back to force it through the off side and finds the man at point. 82/3
18.3 R Herath to Jennings, Turning in from outside off, touch short, Keaton is on the back foot as he works it behind square leg for one. 82/3
18.2 R Herath to Jennings, FOUR! That's well placed. Very well played. Looped up outside off, spinning in, Jennings gets forward and across and then sweeps it through backward square leg. Through the gap and it beats the two men in the deep. 81/3
18.1 R Herath to Jennings, Bit quicker through the air, on off stump, pushes away through covers for a couple. 77/3
17.6 A Dananjaya to Stokes, Full ball on off stump, Big Ben presses forward and dead-bats it. 75/3
17.5 A Dananjaya to Stokes, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. Nicely done. 75/3
17.4 A Dananjaya to Stokes, Uses the depth of the crease to go back and block again. 75/3
17.3 A Dananjaya to Stokes, Fraction straight in line, fuller in length, Stokes takes a big stride forward and blocks it out. 75/3
17.2 A Dananjaya to Stokes, Bit quicker on the stumps, blocked by getting behind the line. 75/3
17.1 A Dananjaya to Stokes, From around the wicket, it lands on off and then turns away, Stokes goes back and defends it under his nose. 75/3
16.6 R Herath to Ben Stokes, The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total. 75/3
16.5 R Herath to Jennings, This one is flicked through square leg for a run. 74/3
16.4 R Herath to Jennings, A huge appeal but the impact is outside off. Tossed up around off, it pitches and comes back in. Jennings gets his front foot outside the line and tries to flick. He misses to get hit on the pads. 73/3
16.3 R Herath to Stokes, Uses his feet and hits it down to long on for a run. 73/3
16.2 R Herath to Stokes, Flatter on off, Stokes keeps it out. 72/3
Ben Stokes is the new man in.
16.1 R Herath to Root, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! 100th wicket for Rangana Herath in Galle and it is the big one of Root. They could have had both but they will surely be relieved to see the back of the England skipper. Root was looking really fluent out there but he walks back after getting off to a start. Dances down the track but yorks himself. Fails to bring his bat down in time and it hits the stumps behind. Rangana is pumped up as this partnership was starting to look dangerous. 72/3
15.6 A Dananjaya to Jennings, On off, kept out. 72/2
15.5 A Dananjaya to Jennings, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 72/2
15.4 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Flatter on off, pushed towards covers. 72/2
15.3 A Dananjaya to Root, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. 72/2
15.2 A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted ball on middle, Root keeps it out. 71/2
15.1 A Dananjaya to K Jennings, DROPPED! This one was a sitter! That should have been taken. It is tossed up around off, the ball pitches and then turns away. Jennings tries to play it across the line which is never a good idea. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards Angelo at first slip. It is at a comfortable height, he gets two hands to it but drops it. The ball rolls towards the off side, a run is taken. How costly will this prove? Sri Lanka needed to break this stand. Akila provides an opportunity but the fielder does not take it. 71/2
14.6 R Herath to Root, Gives it air on middle, Root defends it out. 70/2
14.5 R Herath to Root, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 70/2
14.4 R Herath to Jennings, Brings the sweep shot out, hits it through square leg, a run taken. 70/2
14.3 R Herath to Joe Root, Daces down the track and hits it towards mid off for a run. 69/2
14.2 R Herath to Root, Gives it air on off, it is driven through covers for a brace. 68/2
14.1 R Herath to Jennings, Slower through the air on off, it is worked towards mid-wicket. 66/2
13.6 A Dananjaya to Root, Swept again through square leg for a couple. 65/2
13.5 A Dananjaya to Jennings, The batsman has swept that one through the leg side. One run added to the total. 63/2
13.4 A Dananjaya to Jennings, FOUR! 50 partnership up between the two. A vital stand and it has come at the good pace. The two went the attacking way after England were in a spot of bother early on. 62/2
13.3 A Dananjaya to Root, Works it through mid-wicket for a single. 58/2
13.2 A Dananjaya to Root, Floats it up on off, kept out. 57/2
13.1 A Dananjaya to Root, Dropped? Not sure! This is tossed up around off, it comes back in sharply. Root lunges and tries to defend but the ball seems to have gone off the pads towards Dickwella who fails to collect it. There was excitement amongst the Lanka fielders. Not sure though if that had taken the inside edge. 57/2
Drinks!
12.6 R Herath to Jennings, Some turn on the last ball for the veteran. Tossed up around off, it pitches and comes back in. Jennings tries to defend but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. 57/2
12.5 R Herath to Jennings, Loopy ball on off, kept out. 57/2
12.4 R Herath to Jennings, Slower through the air on middle, Jennings works it to mid-wicket. 57/2
12.3 R Herath to Root, He is now off strike as this is pushed towards covers for a run. 57/2
12.2 R Herath to Jennings, Brings the reverse sweep out and plays it fine down the leg side, a run taken. The right hander is now on strike, just what Rangana would have wanted. 56/2
12.1 R Herath to Jennings, Gives it air on off, the batsman blocks it out. 55/2
Rangana Herath is into the attack. His first spell of his last Test.
11.6 A Dananjaya to Root, Brings out the reverse sweep but is beaten by the extravagant turn down the leg side. 55/2
11.5 A Dananjaya to Root, Once again it is played on the leg side with the angle. 55/2
11.4 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Works it with the angle through square leg for a run. 55/2
11.3 A Dananjaya to Root, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. 54/2
11.2 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Flatter around off, Jennings guides it towards point for a single. 53/2
11.1 A Dananjaya to Jennings, NOT OUT! And Sri Lanka have lost both their reviews in the space of two overs. Chandimal is disappointed and rightly so as it is very early in the game. Akila tosses it up around off, it pitches and then turns away. Jennings misses the sweep and Dickwella takes it and puts in another confident appeal. The umpire doesn't raise his finger. Dickwella wants it to be reviewed and Chandimal does so. Snicko, however, shows a flat line. Poor from the keeper, should be knowing better than anyone else on the field. 52/2
Another review by Sri Lanka. This time for a caught behind. Dickwella is very confident. Jennings is the man in question.
10.6 S Lakmal to Root, Yes, it is! Consecutive maidens for him. Angles this into the batter, it is worked to mid-wicket. 52/2
10.5 S Lakmal to Root, Back of a length on off, Root defends it onto the ground. Another maiden for Lakmal? 52/2
10.4 S Lakmal to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 52/2
10.3 S Lakmal to Root, Around off, the batsman once again blocks it out. 52/2
10.2 S Lakmal to Root, On off, kept out again. 52/2
10.1 S Lakmal to Root, Good length around off, Root keeps it out. 52/2
9.6 A Dananjaya to Jennings, FOUR! DROPPED! Technically a drop, you can say. That was a very, very tough chance. Would have been a blinder. Jennings tries to punch the ball through covers but it takes the outside edge. Goes between keeper and first slip. Mathews dives to his right with his one hand stretched out. The ball brushes the fingertips and goes to the third man fence. 50 up for England and it has come up at a good pace. This is a good counter-attacking partnership. 52/2
9.5 A Dananjaya to Jennings, BEATEN! Turn but once again it is slow turn. Outside off, pitches and goes away. Jennings has to play due to the original trajectory but seeing the ball turning away, he adjusts and pulls his bat out. 48/2
9.4 A Dananjaya to Joe Root, Uses his feet and once again tries to go over the top. The ball goes off the inner half towards mid on for a run. 48/2
9.3 A Dananjaya to Root, NOT OUT! Impact is the issue as it is outside off. Sri Lanka lose a review quite early. This is tossed up outside off, Root goes down on one knee and tries to sweep. He misses as the ball turns in. Hits him on the thigh. A huge appeal follows but not given. Chandimal signals the 'T' and replays show that the on-field call is right. 47/2
Review time! A huge appeal for LBW against Root has not been given out. The Sri Lankans review. Impact could be an issue.
9.2 A Dananjaya to Root, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 47/2
9.1 A Dananjaya to K Jennings, Overthrows! But that would have surely been close. Excellent work by the short leg fielder. It is flicked towards him. He collects the ball and then fires a throw towards the non-striker's end. Jennings puts in a lazy effort to get back. The ball misses the stumps and goes down towards mid off for a couple. Replays later on show that even if the ball had hit, Jennings would have been in. 47/2
8.6 S Lakmal to Jennings, On the the off pole and the ball is guided to point. A maiden by Lakmal. 45/2
8.5 S Lakmal to Jennings, Slightly shortish and outside off, kept out. 45/2
8.4 S Lakmal to Jennings, Third leave of the over! Outside off, the batsman points his bat skywards. 45/2
8.3 S Lakmal to Jennings, Back of a length around off, Jennings goes back and punches it to covers. 45/2
8.2 S Lakmal to Jennings, Good length again but it is just outside the off pole. The batsman shoulders arms to it. 45/2
8.1 S Lakmal to Jennings, Just a little outside off, the batsman need not play at those. 45/2
7.6 A Dananjaya to Root, FOUR! Excellent use of the feet now by Root. He dances down the track and flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Once again two boundaries in the over. 45/2
7.5 A Dananjaya to Root, FOUR! Swept and swept really fine. That went to the fence in no time. Outside off, Root goes down on one knee and swipes it through square leg. 41/2
7.4 A Dananjaya to Root, A little short and on middle, Root goes back and pulls it towards square leg. 37/2
7.3 A Dananjaya to Root, Sharp turn there but the ball was on the leg stump, spins away further. Root lets it be. 37/2
7.2 A Dananjaya to Root, The off break this time, Root flicks it with the turn towards square leg. 37/2
7.1 A Dananjaya to Jennings, Once again brings out the sweep shot does Jennings. It is hit well but it hits the man at short leg. Rolls towards square leg, a run taken. 37/2
Akila Dananjaya is into the attack.
6.6 S Lakmal to Joe Root, EDGY FOUR! England won't care though. On a length and around off, once again it shapes away a little. Root lunges and tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes down to the third man fence. Second boundary of the over. 36/2
6.5 S Lakmal to Root, Slightly straighter this time, it shapes away just a touch. Enough to take Root's leading edge and the ball goes towards mid off. 32/2
6.4 S Lakmal to Joe Root, FOUR! 6th boundary so far! Full and around off, easy pickings for Root. He times it through covers and the ball races away. 32/2
6.3 S Lakmal to Root, On middle, the batsman goes back and keeps it out. 28/2
6.2 S Lakmal to Root, This one comes back in a little, Root keeps it out. 28/2
6.1 S Lakmal to Root, Slightly shorter than a good length area. Root defends it towards gully. 28/2
5.6 D Perera to Jennings, Edge but short again! Once again it is played with soft hands. Slower through the air on off, it pitches and turns away. Jennings lunges and tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and falls just short of second slip. 28/2
5.5 D Perera to Jennings, The skidder on middle, Jennings goes back and with the angle works it to square leg. 28/2
5.4 D Perera to Jennings, FOUR! Drives square and gets the desired result. So England are dealing in boundaries. Tossed up around off, Jennings opens the face of the bat and then drives it through cover-point. 28/2
5.3 D Perera to Jennings, Flatter and on middle, it is kept out. 24/2
5.2 D Perera to Jennings, Slightly fuller on off, Jennings strokes it to covers. 24/2
5.1 D Perera to Jennings, FOUR! Out comes the reverse sweep, Jennings connects well and it races to the third man fence. 24/2
4.6 S Lakmal to Root, Slightly straighter this time, Root flicks it through square leg. Some good running sees them take two. 20/2
4.5 S Lakmal to Root, FOUR! TOP SHOT! First boundary for Root. Just ahead of a length around off, Root times it through mid off and the ball races away to the fence. 18/2
4.4 S Lakmal to Root, Full again but the swing seems to have disappeared. Root strokes it back to the bowler. 14/2
4.3 S Lakmal to Root, Almost! Goes fuller this time and the ball shapes away a touch. Root goes for a drive but he gets an inside edge onto his pads. 14/2
4.2 S Lakmal to Root, Back of a length around off, the batsman defends it off the back foot. 14/2
4.1 S Lakmal to Root, Very good bowling! On a length and in the corridor of uncertainty, Root keeps it out. 14/2
3.6 D Perera to Jennings, This is pitched on middle, it is bowled at a quicker pace. The batsman goes back and defends it out. 14/2
3.5 D Perera to Jennings, Clever shot! He plays the paddle sweep through short fine leg. Two taken. 14/2
3.4 D Perera to Jennings, On off, the batsman defends it out. 12/2
3.3 D Perera to Root, This one comes back in a touch. Root goes back and guides it through cover-point for a run. 12/2
3.2 D Perera to Root, Flatter around off, Root goes back and guides it to point. 11/2
3.1 D Perera to K Jennings, Edgy! Floats it up on off, it turns away a little. Jennings goes for a drive but the ball takes an outside edge, goes towards backward point for a run. 11/2
2.6 S Lakmal to Root, A dot to end a double-wicket maiden. Outside off and Root lets it be. 10/2
2.5 S Lakmal to Root, No hat-trick but a very good delivery. On a length and around off, Root gets behind the line and keeps it out. 10/2
Joe Root is the new man in. He will be facing the hat-trick ball.
2.4 S Lakmal to Ali, OUT! TIMBER! Two in two for Lakmal. Moeen Ali bags a first-ball duck. Brilliant change of angle from the pacer. He comes around the wicket and lands this around off, it comes back in after pitching. Moeen Ali tries to defend by leaving a gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and uproots the off pole. The Lankans are ecstatic and England are in some early trouble. Lakmal is on a hat-trick. 10/2
Moeen Ali walks in at no.3.
2.3 S Lakmal to Burns, OUT! Lakmal draws first blood! It is the debutant Rory Burns whose first Test innings is a short one. A soft, very soft dismissal, one can say. Burns will be kicking himself for getting out in this manner. It is down the leg side, the ball had boundary written all over it. Burns though flicks it too close to the keeper who takes it and appeals. The umpire raises his finger and the batsman starts walking back. Early breakthrough for Sri Lanka, they are up and running. 10/1
2.2 S Lakmal to R Burns, Edged but short! Good length and angling away. Burns plays inside the line but does not play it with hard hands. The ball takes the outside edge and falls short of the second slip fielder. He makes a good stop. 10/0
2.1 S Lakmal to Burns, Good length around off, Burns blocks it out. 10/0
1.6 D Perera to Jennings, A little bit of turn there but slow turn from off. Jennings goes back and with the spin, pushes it to point. 10/0
1.5 D Perera to Jennings, Flatter again, no turn on offer, kept out. 10/0
1.4 D Perera to Burns, Now takes a run by tapping the ball towards point. 10/0
1.3 D Perera to R Burns, FOUR! Sloppy effort in the field by Herath. Burns uses his feet and then times it towards mid on. Rangana Herath there runs to his left, dives but fails to stop the ball. A boundary. 9/0
1.2 D Perera to Burns, Slower through the air on middle, once again it goes straight on with the arm. It is kept out. 5/0
1.1 D Perera to Burns, Flatter and it comes back in with the arm. Burns plays it late and onto the ground. 5/0
Dilruwan Perera will bowl from the other end.
0.6 S Lakmal to Jennings, Tight line, on middle, Keaton pushes it to mid on. 5/0
0.5 S Lakmal to Burns, A scrambled seam delivery way outside off, it pitches and then moves away further. Dickwella fails to collect as the batsman shoulders arms. A bye is taken. 5/0
0.4 S Lakmal to Burns, Around off, the batsman blocks it out. 4/0
0.3 S Lakmal to Burns, FOUR! Burns is off the mark in style in Test cricket. A huge round of applause for him. Once again the seam is facing down towards fine leg so it shapes in. The line is a little too straight and Burns flicks it through mid-wicket and the ball races away. 4/0
0.2 S Lakmal to Burns, Angles this one across the batter and lands it on a length around off. Burns gets behind the line and keeps it out. 0/0
0.1 S Lakmal to Burns, A little swing first up for Lakmal. Full and shaping back in. Burns with an angled bat, plays it towards mid-wicket. The seam position was excellent there, facing towards fine leg and hence, the movement inside. 0/0
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