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Angelo Mathews steadies Sri Lanka's sinking ship with patient century after James Anderson masterclass

Angelo Mathews - Sri Lanka Cricket
Angelo Mathews - Sri Lanka Cricket

Angelo Mathews scored a patient unbeaten century on Friday to dig Sri Lanka out of some early peril and lead his side to 229 for four on the opening day of the second and final Test against England.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat at Galle International Stadium, but a double strike from seamer James Anderson with the new ball had them teetering at seven for two.

Mathews then came to the crease and settled the innings with his 11th Test century and first at Sri Lanka’s most iconic venue.

He will resume on the second morning on 107 not out, compiled from 228 balls with 11 fours, and will be joined at the wicket by Niroshan Dickwella on 19.

Anderson produced the early breakthrough for England having replaced Stuart Broad in a rotation of the seam attack, the only change from their seven-wicket win in the first Test.

Fiery home opener Kusal Perera had a wild swing at a delivery outside off stump and was caught by Joe Root high above his head at first slip for six.

Oshada Fernando (0), who came into the side for Kusal Mendis, lasted just four balls before edging a rising Anderson delivery that he could have left onto the wicket.

Sri Lanka vs England, second Test day one: live score and latest updates from Galle - SLC
Sri Lanka vs England, second Test day one: live score and latest updates from Galle - SLC

Mathews and opener Lahiru Thirimanne (43) put on 69 for the third wicket before the latter edged Anderson’s second ball after lunch to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal (52) added another 117 with Mathews before he was trapped leg before wicket by fast bowler Mark Wood, who managed to produce reverse swing early in the innings and toiled away for 17 overs and figures of 1-47.

England will be disappointed with some of the lines they bowled, particularly the spin duo of Dom Bess and Jack Leach, who conceded 120 in 40 overs and failed to create much in the way of chances.

The tourists are seeking to notch a fifth away Test victory in a row for the first time since 1913. They travel to India for four matches immediately after this series. REUTERS


12:09 PM

CLOSE: SL 229/4 (Dickwella 19* Mathews 107*)

Excellent fightback from seven for two, helmed by Angelo Mathews who made his 11th Test century and put on 69 with Lahiru Thirimanne, 117 with Dinesh Chandimal and an unbroken 36 with Niroshan Dickwella.

England were about as good as they could possibly be on an absolute road of a pitch and both James Anderson, with skill and guile, and Wood with blistering pace and heart, were wonderful. The match is well-poised, Sri Lanka have never got away but it has all the makings of a high-scoring draw. Let's hope it's a bit more bowler friendly as the pitch wears than 2013 at Galle when SL made 570 for four and Bangladesh responded with 638.

A link for Nick Hoult's match report will be at the top of the blog imminently. Thank you for your company. Luke Slater has the short straw and will be your correspondent from 4am in the morning.


12:02 PM

OVER 87: SL 229/4 (Dickwella 19* Mathews 107*)

There's a storm coming, as the great Richard Hawley would say. Dickwella whisks four off his pads as Anderson grows weary and serves up the worst ball of his terrific contribution. And that will be the close, England walk off three overs short despite the extra half hour and having 40 overs of spin.


12:00 PM

OVER 86: SL 225/4 (Dickwella 15* Mathews 107*)

Mathews uses the inswing to whip two off his pads down to long leg. No reward yet for Curran with his conventional approach so he tries some cutters which Mathews defends.

Ha! I think Sam's dad Tony is my favourite character in literature,


11:55 AM

OVER 85: SL 223/4 (Dickwella 15* Mathews 105*)

Another maiden for Anderson, his 10th in 18 overs, He has been magnificent today, forcing Dickwella to defend and drawing the mistake which doesn't quite pay off when one grips a bit and he spoons it short of mid-off. Look at his figures: 18-10-20-3. He'll be 39 in July.


11:49 AM

OVER 84: SL 223/4 (Dickwella 15* Mathews 105*)

Dickwella whisks a single through midwicket off the back foot as Curran toils to make an impact. The left-armer does end the over well, squaring Mathews up with one that hurries on and takes the leading edge as Mathews closed the face too late on a leg glance.

Angelo Mathews - Sri Lanka Cricket
Angelo Mathews - Sri Lanka Cricket

11:45 AM

OVER 83: SL 222/4 (Dickwella 14* Mathews 105*)

Anderson comes round the wicket to the left-handed Dickwella, looking to set him up with a couple of outswingers but lets him get away when he angles one across and hits his thighpad. the batsmen jog a leg-bye. Anderson goes full with the last ball, as he did with the sixth of the last over, and Mathews leans into a supple-wristed flick for four through square leg. A gentle chastisement rather than a crisp stroke.

Double Nelson.

The batsmen keep petitioning the umpires about the bad light.


11:41 AM

OVER 82: SL 217/4 (Dickwella 14* Mathews 101*)

Lovely stroke from Dickwella off Curran, a touch of Pant in the high elbow and poise of his off drive. It races towards the rope but Anderson chases, slides, drags it back and keeps them to two. Some swing, too, for Curran. The light is drawing in as Dickwella laces a single past cover.


11:36 AM

OVER 81: SL 214/4 (Dickwella 11* Mathews 101*)

Some swing for Anderson and, encouragingly, late swing. Mathews blocks a couple then lifts his bat over the third in an anti-clockwise circle. Movement and promise for El Jimbo - the last ball tails in after two outswingers and Mathews just digs it out in time. Whoever chose this ball, give the man a medal.


11:33 AM

OVER 80: SL 214/4 (Dickwella 11* Mathews 101*)

Dom Bess has the penultimate over before the new ball is due. Dickwella gets his broom out and paddles a two and a single, Mathews prefers to stay upright and whip a single through midwicket.

England take the new ball and Jimmy Anderson has it in his hands.


11:29 AM

OVER 79: SL 210/4 (Dickwella 8* Mathews 100*)

Wood will continue for an eighth over. Really? Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel? Dickwella ducks a couple of bouncers, gets on top of the bounce to cushion another to point and digs out a couple of fuller ones. He finally gets away with a leg glance for a single. And Wood, of fuchsia face and grimy brow, has to have finished his work for the day.

Angelo Mathews drives - SLC
Angelo Mathews drives - SLC

11:21 AM

OVER 78: SL 209/4 (Dickwella 7* Mathews 100*)

An 11th Test century for Mathews, raising the standard off another crummy delivery from Leach which gives him width to cut for a single. Leach is understandably weary in this heat after long spells and such length lay-offs with illness. He needs a rest, too. Dickwella drives wristily through mid-on for a single.


11:17 AM

OVER 77: SL 207/4 (Dickwella 6* Mathews 99*)

Wood carries on for a seventh over in this spell. England are taking a huge risk here with his durability but he is the only one causing the batsmen any problems with movement and pace. Mathews moves to 99, the very threshold of a first Test century in Galle, with a single tickled off his ribs. Dickwella is beaten by a good length ball outside off as he props forward and that's Wood done. Off he trots for a clean shirt.


11:13 AM

OVER 76: SL 206/4 (Dickwella 6* Mathews 98*)

The Sky team - Atherton, Sangakkara and Bumble in this stint - are praising England for stifling Sri Lanka, retaining some level of brake on the run rate and chipping away with the wickets of Thirimanne and Chandimal when huge partnerships were beckoning. They also note that the new ball could damage all that if Sri Lanka successfully use its hardness to accelerate. Five milked singles off Leach's 21st over, comfortably his worst as he loses his length.


11:07 AM

OVER 75: SL 201/4 (Dickwella 4* Mathews 95*)

I underestimated Wood's stamina and Root's reliance on him. He'll have another. His face is salmon pink and he's glistening with perspiration. What an effort he has put in to maintain his searing pace on a moribund spell deep into his fourth spell. Dickwella works two off his hip fine and brings up SL's 200. Sibley picks up a misfield by point at cover to prevent a single off a crisp cut and the two is the only damage to Wood's figures.


11:03 AM

OVER 74: SL 199/4 (Dickwella 2* Mathews 95*)

Leach has a silly mid-off for Mathews as he rattles through a probing maiden of consistent line. Nice dip and drift on to middle and off. No turn, though.


11:00 AM

OVER 73: SL 199/4 (Dickwella 2* Mathews 95*)

Another single for Dickwella off the inside edge as he jabs his bat into the blockhole. He's very static so far, concrete boots and all hands. Wood bangs one into Mathews who pulls it behind square for a single. Wood's going to need a breather now, surely.


10:56 AM

OVER 72: SL 197/4 (Dickwella 1* Mathews 94*)

Leach has been the better of the two spinners but, finally, with a left-hander to bowl at in Dickwella, it might be time for Bess to return before the new ball. Dickwella defends with soft hands, blocking or patting the ball down the pitch then gets away off an inside edge through square leg.


10:51 AM

OVER 71: SL 196/4 (Dickwella 0* Mathews 94*)

Thanks, Jake for that marathon spell. Bagchi back until the close as Wood continues. He's using the angle to try to help the ball duck in at Mathews but Ange isn't nibbling at ones that carry on heading down the legside. Mathews dicks the bouncer and Wood adds a second maiden to his figures which now stand at 13-2-41-1


10:45 AM

OVER 70: SL 196/4 (Dickwella 0* Mathews 94*)

Dickwella comes to the crease. Leach starts his over at Mathews, closing in on a ton. A hint of spin is starting to appear. Mathews works the last ball of the over away for three through midwicket, keeping the strike.


10:39 AM

WICKET! Chandimal lbw Wood 52

Wood fires one in full and straight. It shapes in and hits Chandimal plum in front of the stumps. Chandimal reviews, but to no avail. Wood finally gets his reward and the partnership is broken. Excellent bowling.

FOW: 193/4


10:37 AM

OVER 69: SL 193/3 (Chandimal 52* Mathews 91*)

Wood starts down the legside with his first two deliveries. Quick, but off target. Another run out chance! This time Dan Lawrence fumbles under pressure, although the batsmen would have most likely been safe on this occasion, unlike the last chance.

A harsh dead ball call denies Sri Lanka a leg bye. Mathews then plays back, dropping and running for a good quick single.


10:33 AM

OVER 68: SL 192/3 (Chandimal 52* Mathews 90*)

Leach continues. Buttler remains an encouraging presence behind the stumps, with some of his team-mates suffering from a lack of energy.

Run out chance misssed! Mathews and Chandimal get in a mix up and Anderson has a chance, he misses the ball completely, allowing the single to be completed. The second time he has done that today. A stiff effort...


10:29 AM

OVER 67: SL 190/3 (Chandimal 51* Mathews 89*)

Wood goes for the yorker, but it is too full, too straight and runs away for four after Mathews gets an inside edge on it. An off-cutter follows, but Mathews spots it and works it away for two. Mathews then hooks away for another couple.

Wood competing for a record he does not want...


10:24 AM

OVER 66: SL 182/3 (Chandimal 51* Mathews 81*)

It is starting to look like really hard work for the England bowlers. Chandimal cuts Leach away for two, bringing up his half-century! A competent knock.

Two from the over.


10:20 AM

OVER 65: SL 180/3 (Chandimal 49* Mathews 81*)

Wood is on for Anderson. The Durham quick has been fabulous today. Fast, abrasive and mixing up his lengths well. He really deserves a wicket.

Chandimal, who was clocked by Wood earlier, flicks him off his hips for one, taking him to 49.


10:16 AM

OVER 64: SL 179/3 (Chandimal 48* Mathews 81*)

Mathews cuts Leach away, Bess does well to limit it to two. That's the 100 partnership up! He then takes a single. Leach delivers a full bunger, which Chandimal politely knocks it for one.

Leach draws a second play and miss in successive overs, this time it is Mathews. There was a tiny appeal but no review of the not out decision follows. A bit of promise for Leach at least.


10:12 AM

OVER 63: SL 175/3 (Chandimal 47* Mathews 78*)

And still, Anderson continues. He hits the pads of Mathews but the ball was going well down leg - even Anderson barely raises an appeal for that one. Mathews drive down the ground, Wood gets a hand to it but a single is attained.


10:08 AM

OVER 62: SL 174/3 (Chandimal 47* Mathews 77*)

And now Leach is on for Bess as the merry-go-round of bowlers continues. Mathews takes one into the leg side. You will not believe it but... one has finally turned! Leach gets the ball to spin past the outside edge of Chandimal. Well bowled.

One from the over.


10:04 AM

OVER 61: SL 173/3 (Chandimal 47* Mathews 76*)

Anderson continues plugging away. A hint of reverse swing is starting to appear but the movement remains minimal. England's best hopes of a wicket could well be the new ball at this rate...


10:00 AM

Proof that Mathews is one of the world's best against spin...


09:59 AM

OVER 60: SL 173/3 (Chandimal 47* Mathews 76*)

Chandimal dances down the track to Bess, hammering him down the ground. A half-stop limits it to two. The Sri Lankan captain then drops and runs into the offside. Mathews rocks onto the back foot and punches through the covers for four. He really is a class player of spin.


09:57 AM

OVER 59: SL 166/3 (Chandimal 44* Mathews 72*)

Anderson has, in fact, just changed ends - back to where he has taken his three wickets. Joe Root has put a silly mid-on in place to Mathews, hoping for a chip from a ball that stops. Some sharp fielding at extra-cover denies Mathews a single.

And it is another maiden from Jimmy. 13 overs bowled, only 15 runs conceded and three wickets!


09:52 AM

Elsewhere...

Alex Hales has whacked 110 from 58 balls in the Big Bash, his first hundred in that T20 competition.

Hales is having an absolute stormer of a campaign. However, any chance of a limited overs England recall remains in the hands of Eoin Morgan, it seems.


09:51 AM

OVER 58: SL 166/3 (Chandimal 44* Mathews 72*)

Bess is into the attack for Anderson. Mathews takes a single from the first ball of the over, Chandimal returning the favour the next ball. Mathews will keep the strike after Bess drops short from the final ball of the over.


09:47 AM

OVER 57: SL 163/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 70*)

Leach continues. Mathews executes a rather risky flick over mid-on, who was further back than normal. The ball runs away for four. I suspect Mathews does not think much of Leach as a bowler from a few of his shot off him today. He then takes a single, good batting.


09:43 AM

OVER 56: SL 158/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 65*)

The seamers have been far more dangerous than the spinners today. Anderson has been the star but Wood has also been excellent, and Curran started well too.

Anderson continues to probe on off-stump, hoping for a hint of lateral movement off the seam. Mathews pinches a quick single.


09:39 AM

OVER 55: SL 157/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 64*)

Leach will start from the other end. Mathews and Chandimal pick up easy singles, untroubled by the spinners so far. Two from the over.


09:36 AM

OVER 54: SL 155/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 62*)

Anderson will start the session again, this time from the other end to his previous work. The first ball is solidly blocked by Mathews. Some clouds have gathered over the stadium during the break. It has led to no lateral movement thus far, however.

Unsurprisingly, he starts with a maiden.


09:22 AM

A big session awaits

And I'm back, thanks to Rob Bagchi for dealing with the afternoon session. This day could go either way, with both sides having had spells on top so far.


09:16 AM

TEA: SL 155/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 62*)

Good fourth wicket partnership of 79 between the captain and the veteran on a batsman's paradise of a pitch. Anderson and Wood have been magnificent and we cannot really fault the spinners for not being able to turn the ball on this first-day road but England do need a rethink to start the next session.


09:12 AM

OVER 53: SL 155/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 62*)

Better from Leach who seems to be imparting more revs on it this over, really driving through the crease and planting his right leg. Four good deliveries are followed hy a drag down that Mathews carves to the point boundary rider for a single. And that's TEA.


09:10 AM

OVER 52: SL 154/3 (Chandimal 43* Mathews 61*)

Three singles off Bess's 15th over, one pushed into the offside, two between midwicket and long on. Bowling change, please.


09:08 AM

OVER 51: SL 151/3 (Chandimal 41* Mathews 60*)

Singles available everywhere now to batsmen prepared to use their feet and come down the track. David Lloyd says, and it's a good point, that England's outfielders are about as slow as they've been for years. Only Bairstow is a proper gun, the others are not in the same dynamic mould as their predecessors or the hares in the white-ball side.

Yes! Like Steve the clockmaker with his two pairs of specs, but not as serene.


09:03 AM

OVER 50: SL 147/3 (Chandimal 40* Mathews 57*)

Bess comes back round for Mathews, angling it across on to middle and keeps him quiet with five dot balls before Mathews works a single off the full toss, slapping it, more in sorrow than anger, down to long on.


09:00 AM

OVER 49: SL 146/3 (Chandimal 40* Mathews 56*)

England just hanging in with their spinners on a first day pitch but there's nothing for them to work with. Root will have to try something different soon from Bess's end at least. Chandimal drives a single through cover and Mathews works the dart off his toes through midwicket for one more.


08:58 AM

OVER 48: SL 144/3 (Chandimal 39* Mathews 55*)

Bess can't find a consistent length. His line from over the wicket is fine but the variations in flight and length allow the batsmen to use their feet and glean five singles. Curran or Anderson must be imminent, a few overs of cutters would be worth a try.


08:53 AM

OVER 47: SL 139/3 (Chandimal 36* Mathews 53*)

Jack Leach into the attack. Buttler alternates between calling him 'Leach', 'Leachy' and 'Good Boy'. Must be a dog owner. He starts with a maiden to Mathews now in his cap, defending off front and back foot. Some turn, albeit gentle, for the left-armer.


08:50 AM

OVER 46: SL 139/3 (Chandimal 36* Mathews 53*)

Bess continues but comes round the wicket. He has a slip, leg slip and a short leg but there's no turn on this road and they milk him for a couple of singles through the legside. He comes back over for the last two balls, dispenses with short leg and leg slip and finds a good tight line to force Chandimal to defend under his nose.


08:48 AM

OVER 45: SL 137/3 (Chandimal 35* Mathews 52*)

He manages to hit 90mph with his first ball but falls over as the yorker fails to land and Chandimal blocks the lowfull toss into the legside. The batsman uses the inswing or angle at 93 mph to pop two off his pads in front of square. Chandimal ducks the bouncer and is struck on the thumb next ball as he hastily defends off his armpit. The ball falls a good 5ft shy of short leg. Chandimal ends the over with a scythe through point for two and a nurdled single.

Wood's reward is hardly ever in wickets but as a supporting act he is vital. Off he goes for a change of shirt. He looks spent. His reward will come in the next life


08:41 AM

OVER 44: SL 132/3 (Chandimal 30* Mathews 52*)

Chandimal, perhaps buoyed by the sight of Wood being obviously pooped at the end of his last over, trots down to Bess and launches him back over his head for a huge six. He then takes on a risky single to Curran at mid-off and has to dive to make his ground. These two always keep the hope of a run-out alive.

Wood will have one more over!


08:37 AM

OVER 43: SL 124/3 (Chandimal 23* Mathews 51*)

Wood has enough gas for one more over. It's 29C there with 70 per cent humidity. Mathews hangs back for the short ball to pull two from outside off then raises his fifty with a rusjed pull fine for four off his midriff. Could have been a strangle but he got enough on it to divert it wide of Buttler. Wood maintains this short length and Mathews control pulls for another single. He tests Chandimal again with a nasty bouncer, extracting some life from this dead pitch at 89mph Chandimal ducks then chisels out the big inswinging yorker.

Wood has given everything. The umpires just make sure the ball hit the ground after Chandimal had jabbed it out as Crawley caught the ball at short leg. It was a bump ball, as the third umpire quickly shows.


08:31 AM

OVER 42: SL 117/3 (Chandimal 23* Mathews 43*)

Mathews drives Bess's loopiest delivery for a single wide of mid-off after defending a couple. Curran, who has Bess's cap on top of his own, scurries to gather. Chandimal also defends as Bess throws in a round-arm slinger to end the over with no reward.


08:27 AM

OVER 41: SL 116/3 (Chandimal 23* Mathews 43*)

Good to see Wood also continuing. He is bowling like the wind with not much help at all so far but there has been a suggestion of reverse in the last couple of overs. Straining for that reverse he overpitches, looking for a Waqar Yorker, and Chandimal thrashes a wristy cover drive for four.

Kumar Sangakkara thinks the pitch will help the bowlers of days four and five but adds a caveat that he has seen pitches in Galle stay as hard as cement for five days with both sides racking up 600 plus and everyone watching dying of boredom.

Not much chance of the latter with Wood bowling who gets one to rear up from just back of a length and strike Chandimal, who has just worked him for two through midwicket, flush on the peak of his helmet as he tried to half duck and half sway out of the road. It followed him. Horrid blow but after a check he continues.

Wood has two balls left and pitches the first one up to try to bluff Chandimal who would have been expecting the bouncer. He defends comfortably. Here comes the short ball at 89 mph, but it doesn't get up and Chandimal defends it in front of his hip.


08:19 AM

OVER 40: SL 110/3 (Chandimal 17* Mathews 43*)

Bess continues - it does seem curious that Leach hasn't bowled more against two right-handers. Big Ange defends the first five with an angled bat, patting the ball into the onside with the gentlest of caresses. But when Bess drops a touch too short, Mathews rocks back to whip a single through midwicket.


08:17 AM

Drinks

Morning all, Rob Bagchi here taking over from Jake who had the most unenviable shift today and a 4am start.

Tim Wigmore has filed a piece on England's Jimmy Anderson and his morning spell. It's well worth a read.

English Test cricket is in the age of the squad. This winter that means that Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, the two most prolific wicket-takers in England’s history, are unlikely to play more than a solitary match - the day-night Test in Ahmedabad - together, at the very most. Yet in Sri Lanka their partnership has continued even while apart. In consecutive Tests, Broad and Anderson have been entrusted with the same role: as sagacious leaders of the attack, able to use the full depth of their craft and experience to defy Sri Lankan conditions.

Read on here


08:12 AM

OVER 39: SL 108/3 (Chandimal 17* Mathews 41*)

Wood wraps Chandimal on the gloves with a nasty short ball. He then fires in a quick, in-swinging yorker that just draws an inside edge. Speed gun has that ball at 94mph - that is serious wheels. Chandimal survives a challenging over.


08:08 AM

OVER 38: SL 108/3 (Chandimal 17* Mathews 41*)

Bess continues, landing the ball in a decent area to start the over. Chandimal works the ball into the leg side for one. Bess then is far too full to Mathews, who pushes it away for four through point.


08:03 AM

Mark Wood has bowled well in Sri Lanka, but remains without a wicket in the series


08:02 AM

OVER 37: SL 103/3 (Chandimal 16* Mathews 37*)

Wood is into the attack, replacing Anderson. His first ball is speared in down the leg side. The next ball shapes in as Wood goes for a yorker. Mathews does well to get down to it, squeezing it away for a single. Wood starts with a bumper to Chandimal who ducks well before knocking the next ball away for one.


07:56 AM

OVER 36: SL 101/3 (Chandimal 15* Mathews 36*)

Bess is back into the attack, replacing Curran. He starts with a maiden.


07:54 AM

OVER 35: SL 101/3 (Chandimal 15* Mathews 36*)

Anderson finally produces a half-volley and Mathews clips it away for four, in between two mid-wicket fielders. He then returns to a defensive mode. Mathews then drives, squirting the ball away behind point for four - not quite where he meant it. 100 up for the hosts!


07:49 AM

OVER 34: SL 93/3 (Chandimal 15* Mathews 28*)

Curran stays around the wicket to Chandimal who has started confidently. The Sri Lankan captain works him into the leg side for a single. Mathews does the same. Two from the over.


07:44 AM

OVER 33: SL 91/3 (Chandimal 14* Mathews 27*)

Anderson continues. And so do the dot balls, he starts with another four to Mathews. Make that six! Another maiden for Anderson.


07:40 AM

OVER 32: SL 91/3 (Chandimal 14* Mathews 27*)

Curran overpitches and Chandimal nails the ball through extra-cover for four. Crisp drive. A ball just stops in the pitch as Chandimal chips it in the air, but it lands safely. Chandimal then whips Curran away for another boundary. Not a great over.


07:36 AM

OVER 31: SL 83/3 (Chandimal 6* Mathews 27*)

After seven overs, Anderson has figures of 3-6 - a truly stunning effort. And Anderson delivers another maiden.


07:31 AM

OVER 30: SL 83/3 (Chandimal 6* Mathews 27*)

One over for Bess and he is off - here comes Sam Curran. In fairness, the seamers have looked more dangerous so far today. He is around the wicket to Chandimal who blocks the ball back to mid off. He follows it up with a Steve Smith-esque leave - which seems to be catching on around the world...

Another maiden.


07:27 AM

Here is Anderson's third wicket of the morning


07:27 AM

OVER 29: SL 83/3 (Chandimal 6* Mathews 27*)

Mathews drives Anderson handsomely down the ground but a diving stop prevents a run being scored. Anderson then gets one to jump off a length, no run. Maiden.


07:22 AM

OVER 28: SL 83/3 (Chandimal 6* Mathews 27*)

Bess starts the session from the other end. Mathews works him away for single. Chandimal pushes the ball to Anderson at mid on, who misses it completely, and the ball runs away for four. Bess is not impressed.


07:20 AM

Bunny, being the technical term


07:18 AM

OVER 27: SL 78/3 (Chandimal 2* Mathews 26*)

The Sri Lankan captain, at least for this series, comes to the crease. The two big wickets are in. He works away a two to get his innings underway.


07:15 AM

WICKET! Thirimanne c Buttler b Anderson 43

The second ball after the break has done it! Anderson gets on to hold its line and Thirimanne gets a thing edge through to the keeper. What a start to the session for England! Anderson does it again!

FOW: 76/3


07:13 AM

OVER 27: SL 76/2 (Thirimanne 43* Mathews 26*)

It will be James Anderson to being after lunch, following an excellent spell on the morning session. He starts around the wicket to Thirimanne.


07:09 AM

The players are back out on the pitch

Can England prise a wicket to break this partnership? Anderson and Wood to start?


06:55 AM

Here is one of the two wickets to fall this morning


06:42 AM

It could be a long day for England in the field...


06:32 AM

LUNCH!

Honours even. England started very well and will be delighted with the two early wickets. However, Sri Lanka have batted well since with Thirimanne and Mathews both looking well set. They are two crucial wickets for England to try and dislodge on a pitch that looks very favourable for batting in hot conditions.


06:30 AM

OVER 26: SL 76/2 (Thirimanne 43* Mathews 26*)

Bess starts with a full toss, getting away with it for no run. He then drops short, and is cut away for one by Thirimanne. Mathews blocks out the over, and that is lunch!


06:27 AM

OVER 25: SL 75/2 (Thirimanne 42* Mathews 26*)

Sam Curran is back into the attack, replacing Leach with just over five minutes before lunch. Mathews clips him for four through mid-wicket, a bit of Kevin Pietersen in that shot. He then takes a single. Thirimanne chips for one. The ball just stopped in the pitch.


06:22 AM

OVER 24: SL 69/2 (Thirimanne 41* Mathews 21*)

It is starting to look a little ominous for England. Leach may need to be taken out of the attack at the other end, he is a tad expensive without looking threatening.

Mathews pushes a single out to long on, Thirimanne hands him back the strike. Mathews will keep the strike for the next over after another single out to straight boundary.


06:16 AM

OVER 23: SL 66/2 (Thirimanne 40* Mathews 19*)

Mathews takes one from the first ball of the over, he is handed back the strike two balls later. Mathews punches out to long off - who is pushed half-way back after Mathews hit a one bounce four in that area - for one.

Thirimanne slog sweeps Leach for four, taking him to 40.


06:13 AM

OVER 22: SL 59/2 (Thirimanne 35* Mathews 17*)

Bess continues. A quicker ball is again defended. Just one from the over, Bess has started the better of the two spinners.


06:09 AM

OVER 21: SL 58/2 (Thirimanne 35* Mathews 16*)

Thirimanne works Leach for a single from the first delivery of the over. The left armer then over-pitches and Mathews flicks away for four through mid-wicket. Powerful shot. Mathews is the key wicket in the Sri Lanka line-up and he is looking in good form today.

Mathews takes one to the boundary rider on the offside.


06:06 AM

OVER 20: SL 52/2 (Thirimanne 34* Mathews 11*)

Mathews flicks Bess away for three, Leach doing well to stop it going all the way to the boundary. 50 up for the hosts! Bess fires in a quicker one to Thirimanne who is up to the task. The opener picks up an easy single through the covers.


06:02 AM

OVER 19: SL 48/2 (Thirimanne 33* Mathews 8*)

It is a change of ends for Leach. His first ball is flicked for one by the left hander. Mathews has ditched his helmet with spin on from both ends - a superb look. He takes one from the final ball of the over.


05:58 AM

OVER 18: SL 46/2 (Thirimanne 32* Mathews 7*)

Dom Bess is into the attack after an uninspiring start by Leach. He will begin to the left hander. Bess starts in a good area, generating a touch of spin. Thirimanne picks up a single from the final ball of the over.


05:54 AM

OVER 17: SL 45/2 (Thirimanne 31* Mathews 7*)

Wood begins his fourth over, presumably the last of this spell. Thirimanne looks content to try and play out Wood, who is bowling sharply albeit to no avail. Thirimanne takes one.

Sri Lanka starting to look in control.


05:50 AM

OVER 16: SL 44/2 (Thirimanne 30* Mathews 7*)

Thirimanne is getting his hand examined by the doctor, having had his fingers caught against the handle while working a single away. He seems to be alright.

Leach has not looked dangerous so far, he is worked for two before being driven through extra-cover for four. Lovely, crisp drive. A single concludes the over.


05:45 AM

OVER 15: SL 37/2 (Thirimanne 23* Mathews 7*)

Wood, into his third, starts with a quick bumper which is well avoided. Wood is too straight and is clipped away for two by Thirimanne. The opener then picks up a single, leaving Mathews to deal with the final ball of the over, which he does.


05:40 AM

OVER 14: SL 34/2 (Thirimanne 20* Mathews 7*)

Leach continues, Mathews chipping the ball over the bowler's head for a one bounce four. That looked effortless. He then cuts away for a single. Thirimanne flicks Leach away for a single. Six from the over.


05:33 AM

DRINKS!

England were fabulous to start the day, assisted by some mediocre batting. Sri Lanka have started the fight back on a pitch that looks suited to batting on day one.


05:33 AM

OVER 13: SL 28/2 (Thirimanne 19* Mathews 2*)

Wood is getting decent bounce and carry on what seems to be a good batting track - on day one, at least.

Thirimanne drives through cover for four, nice shot. He then finds Dom Bess at backward point with a back foot punch, no run. Wood now moves to around the wicket, looking to target the pads of the left hander.


05:28 AM

OVER 12: SL 24/2 (Thirimanne 15* Mathews 2*)

The hosts have steadied the ship after a woeful start, both batsmen looking composed thus far. A maiden from Leach, not much turn on offer as of yet.


05:25 AM

OVER 11: SL 24/2 (Thirimanne 15* Mathews 2*)

It is a double change. Mark Wood is into the attack. Wood is up to 91mph with just his second delivery, which is pushed away for a single by Thirimanne. Mathews pinches a single into the leg side.

Decent start from Wood.


05:20 AM

Huge news coming out of Galle...


05:19 AM

OVER 10: SL 22/2 (Thirimanne 14* Mathews 1*)

There is a change - but it is Jack Leach, not Dom Bess who gets the nod. Leach is around the wicket to the left hander, starting on the money. He is worked away into the leg side for one. Mathews is off the mark, hitting a short ball out to the man at deep cover for a single. Thirimanne hands the strike back to his partner.


05:15 AM

An indication of how well England have started...


05:14 AM

OVER 9: SL 19/2 (Thirimanne 12* Mathews 0*)

Anderson will bowl a fifth, impressive given the rather warm conditions in Galle. He is around the wicket to Thirimanne who has looked solid so far this morning. Dom Bess is warming up - hard to tell if that was under the direction of Joe Root or if he is just trying to catch the captain's eye...

And for a third time, Thirimanne pinches the strike.


05:10 AM

OVER 8: SL 18/2 (Thirimanne 11* Mathews 0*)

Curran is also awarded a fourth over after starting well. The Surrey man is probing away on off stump, Thirimanne playing watchfully. A surprise bouncer is easily avoided, despite some good bounce and carry.

Thirimanne once again keeps the strike with a single from the last ball.


05:06 AM

OVER 7: SL 17/2 (Thirimanne 10* Mathews 0*)

Anderson continues. He has swiftly moved onto 602 Test wickets - and he will fancy his chances of further adding to his tally this morning.

Thirimanne is playing sensibly, eager not to be reckless like his opening partner was. He picks up a single from the final ball of the over to retain strike.


05:02 AM

Here is Anderson's second wicket


05:01 AM

OVER 6: SL 16/2 (Thirimanne 9* Mathews 0*)

Curran starts the over with one down leg, which is duly clipped away by Thirimanne for four. He nicks the next delivery through the vacant fourth slip region for back-to-back boundaries. Close again for Curran! A leg bye hands the strike to Mathews.

The left armer draws Mathews into a play and miss.


04:56 AM

OVER 5: SL 7/2 (Thirimanne 1* Mathews 0*)

Angelo Mathews arrives at the crease with his team already in crisis mode. He sees off the final delivery of an eventful over.


04:54 AM

WICKET! O Fernando b Anderson 0

Another in the over! Fernando plays back to a length delivery, chopping the ball onto his stumps! What a start for Anderson and England!

FOW: 7/2


04:53 AM

OVER 5: SL 7/1 (Thirimanne 1* O Fernando 0*)

Out comes Oshada Fernando, who has been brought into the side for Kusal Mendis. Fernando has made a promising start to his Test career, averaging a touch over 43.


04:50 AM

WICKET! Perera c Root b Anderson 6

A horror shot! Perera tries to launch Anderson, who is now around the wicket, over long on. He edges it and Root takes a fine catch above his head. Shades of the Sri Lanka's first innings from the last match!

FOW: SL 7/1


04:48 AM

Here is the DRS review - nearly a perfect start for England


04:48 AM

OVER 4: SL 7/0 (Thirimanne 1* K Perera 6*)

Curran once again hits the pads of Perera, but there was a little inside edge on this occasion. It seems as if there is already more lateral movement than in the first Test. A long half-volley is clubbed down the ground by Perera for four - a brutal, one day shot really. He then takes a single.


04:43 AM

OVER 3: SL 2/0 (Thirimanne 1* K Perera 1*)

Now Anderson is starting to get the ball to shape. He swings one back into the left handed Thirimanne, who makes a good decision to leave on length. The next delivery is dealt with less convincingly, the ball rolling back towards the stumps after being blocked. And Sri Lanka are away with a quick single into the offside. Perera does the same, keeping the strike.


04:39 AM

This is quite the stat


04:38 AM

OVER 2: SL 0/0 (Thirimanne 0* K Perera 0*)

Curran has made an excellent start, on the money from the first ball, getting a touch of swing. Another maiden.


04:37 AM

REVIEW: NOT OUT decision remains

Joe Root wasted no time reviewing there. It looks close. There is no bat involved. However, the ball does not quite straighten enough to overturn the decision. The ball did clip leg stump, but umpire's call saves Perera.

Close.


04:35 AM

OVER 2: SL 0/0 (Thirimanne 0* K Perera 0*)

And it will be Sam Curran to open the bowling from the other end. He starts with a hint of away shape to left handed Perera. The second ball swings back again, hitting Perera on the pads in front of the stumps. The decision is not out but England review!


04:33 AM

OVER 1: SL 0/0 (Thirimanne 0* K Perera 0*)

Anderson hits a length on a leg stump line with his first two deliveries of the day before finding a more tempting channel on off stump. Thirimanne leaves well, happy to show his arms to four successive deliveries.

A maiden to start the second Test.


04:29 AM

The players are out onto the field

They are greeted by bright sunlight - James Anderson will start for England.


04:21 AM

Three changes made by the hosts

Ramesh Mendis makes his debut with Oshada Fernando and Suranga Lakmal also brought in. Out go Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga.


04:15 AM

News from the toss!

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat first.


04:06 AM

Good morning, here is a preview of the second Test which gets underway shortly

England captain Joe Root has warned his players not to get ahead of themselves and to continue improving as they seek to wrap up the series against Sri Lanka in the second and final test at Galle International Stadium today.

England won the first match at the same venue by seven wickets in a dominant performance to record a fourth successive away victory for the first time in 64 years. They have not won five tests in a row on the road since 1913.

Another victory on a famously difficult ground for visiting teams would be a feather in the cap and a big boost ahead of England's four-test series in India that follows directly after.

"Sri Lanka are a proud team and have a great record at this ground so we have to play smart cricket again. We can't be happy with what we have achieved on this trip so far, we need to get better," Root told reporters on Thursday.

"We can't get ahead of ourselves and think we’re something we’re not. This will not be an easy game, we will have to play some good stuff for five days if we want to keep taking steps forward as a team."

England have made one change from the first test, with seamer James Anderson replacing Stuart Broad in an expected switch as they rotate bowlers in a busy winter period.

Broad was effective with his guile on the spin-friendly Galle wicket and Anderson brings plenty of that as he looks to add to his 600 test wickets.

Neither seamers Chris Woakes or Olly Stone were able to force their way into the side, which means they will go into the India series with little cricket under their belt.

Sri Lanka were roundly criticised for an abject batting display in the first innings of the first test when they were skittled for 135, though they improved markedly in the second.

Batsman Angelo Mathews took the unusual step of suggesting his team mates look to Root for tips on how to master the wicket after the England skipper scored 228 in the series opener.

"Joe Root played a magnificent innings. We can learn a lot from the way he batted," Mathews said.

"You have to find that tempo, especially in these conditions. A traditional Galle wicket is very slow and takes turn, so you need to be able to find the shots according to each bowler.

"We need to be able to understand what we can and what we can't do on these wickets against their bowlers."

Reuters