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Mathews’ century gives Lanka first day’s honours

24 Jan 2021

Sri Lanka put in a markedly improved first-innings batting performance on the opening day of the second cricket Test against England as they posted 229/4 on a hectic day of cricket. A fine century from Angelo Mathews, along with a half-century from Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne’s 43, formed the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s first-innings display. Jimmy Anderson, the veteran pacer in England in place of the rested Stuart Broad, was England’s chief threat, as he ended with 3/24. Sri Lanka opted to bat, but fears of a collapse similar to what they went through in the first Test – they were bundled out for 135 in the first-inning – returned when they lost two early wickets. Kusal Perera, attempting to plant one over long off, only managed an edge off Anderson and gifted a high catch to Joe Root at first slip for only six. Oshada Fernando, who had been included in place of the out-of-form Kusal Mendis – dropped from the squad after returns of 0, 0, 0, 0 and 15 in his last five Test innings – didn’t fare much better, chopping one on from Anderson onto his own stumps later in that same over. Sri Lanka were 7/2. England had little joy thereafter. Thirimanne, who scored an impressive century in the second innings of the first Test, was joined by Mathews, and the two went about reviving the innings, putting on a much-needed 69-run stand for the third wicket. The partnership allayed some Sri Lankan concerns, and the batsmen helped take the team through to lunch without further incident, at 76/2. However, the interval broke their momentum, with Thirimanne falling shortly after resumption. It was a typical Anderson wicket, probing outside off and forcing the batsman to edge one through to the ’keeper. If England hoped that would trigger another slide, they were disappointed. Mathews was joined by Dinesh Chandimal, the stand-in Captain for the injured Dimuth Karunaratne, and Sri Lanka had their best partnership of the day. The duo put on a watchful 117, a stand that became increasingly punishing on England as it went on. The partnership took up 42.4 overs, during the course of which all of England’s bowlers tried and failed to arrest the trickle of runs. The duo took Sri Lanka to tea at 155/3, the partnership went on for nearly an hour after resumption, with Chandimal bringing up his half-century. It was broken shortly thereafter though, a wild in-swinger from Mark Wood cleaning up Chandimal, but by this point, England bowlers were tired. Niroshan Dickwella could come in and settle down, scoring an assiduous 60-ball 19 not out, to ensure the innings remained steady. At the other end, Mathews could bring up the runs to score his 11th Test century, capping a fine day for Sri Lanka. However, England will know early wickets on the second morning will get them right back in it.   SCORECARD   Sri Lanka first innings Lahiru Thirimanne c Buttler b Anderson 43 Kusal Perera c Root b Anderson 6 Oshada Fernando b Anderson   0 4 0 0   0.00 Angelo Mathews not out 107 Dinesh Chandimal (Capt) lbw b Wood 52 Niroshan Dickwella (wk) not out 19 Extras (lb 2) 2 Total (for 4 wickets in 87 overs) 229 Did not bat: Ramesh Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, and Asitha Fernando Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Perera, 4.1 ov), 2-7 (Fernando, 4.5 ov), 3-76 (Thirimanne, 26.2 ov), 4-193 (Chandimal, 68.6 ov) Bowling: James Anderson 19-10-24-3, Sam Curran 11-2-36-0, Jack Leach 22-3-66-0, Mark Wood 17-2-47-1, Dom Bess 18-1-54-0 Toss: Sri Lanka who chose to bat Test match number: 2,405 Test debut: Ramesh Mendis (SL) Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and Ruchira Palliyaguruge TV umpire: Lyndon Hannibal Reserve umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle   Photo © SLC


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