Sports News | Sri Lanka Recover After Loss of 2 Early Wickets Vs England

Galle, Jan 22 (AP) A 69-run stand between Angelo Mathews (26 runs) and Lahiru Thirimanne (43) helped Sri Lanka recover after England fast bowler James Anderson struck twice in the space of five deliveries on the first day of the second cricket Test on Friday.

Anderson, who replaced Stuart Broad in the side, struck in his third over when Kusal Perera was caught at first slip by a leaping Joe Root.

Four balls later, Anderson dismissed Oshada Fernando, who is returning to side after injury, when the batsman dragged a delivery that was moving away onto his stumps.

Thirimanne was unbeaten on 43 off 93 balls at the lunch break. Mathews had faced 45 balls for his 26 not out.

England spinners, who had dominated the first Test, did not have much luck in the first session.

Before the toss, which Sri Lanka won, the home side made three changes to the side that lost the first test by seven wickets.

Batsman Kusal Mendis and all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga were dropped. Seam bowler Suranga Lakmal and No. 3 batsman Oshada Fernando are making a comeback to the Sri Lanka side, while offspinner Ramesh Mendis is making his debut.

England made one change, bringing in James Anderson for Stuart Broad.

England is in fourth spot on the ICC Test Championship standings, behind India, New Zealand and Australia. The final will be played in June and, to remain in calculations, England needs to win the second test against Sri Lanka and then travel to India and win that four-test series, too.

The visitors haven't lost a series in Sri Lanka since 2007, having generally countered spin bowling well to find success. AP

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)