Sri Lanka v England, day four, first Test, Galle

LIVE: Sri Lanka v England – follow the action on day four of the first Test in Galle

Stay up to date with all the action on
day four of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England with Sportsmail's
unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the action
unfolds at the Galle International Stadium while our brilliant team of
writers will update with their insights from the ground. Email your thoughts to tom.bellwood@dailymail.co.uk or tweet to @TomBellwood

Sri Lanka v England: Essentials

England: Andrew
Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell,
Matt Prior (wkt), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James
Anderson, Monty Panesar

Sri Lanka:
Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela
Jayawardene (c), Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna
Jayawardene (wkt), Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedera, Suranga Lakmal.

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Rod Tucker (Australia). TV: Bruce Oxenford (Australia). Referee: Javagal Srinath (India).

1st innings: Sri Lanka 318, England 193.

2nd innings: Sri lanka 214

Click here for a full scorecard

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48th over: England 128-3 (Trott 51, Bell 4)

Lakmal has only conceded one bye this morning – and that came courtesy of an overthrow. Safe to say he's hitting his straps in this early spell. He completes his third maiden of the morning.

47th over: England 128-3 (Trott 51, Bell 4)

Right, so where are we Sri Lanka will be delighted to have taken the early scalp of Kevin Pietersen, they are heavy favourites to win this, but Test matches don't win themselves. England are three down and still require a further 212 runs to win this match. In terms of actual action: that was another maiden for Randiv.

46th over: England 128-3 (Trott 51, Bell 4)

Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. Lakmal sends six outside off, tempting Trott who's having none of it. Maiden.

45th over: England 128-3 (Trott 51, Bell 4)

England are riding their luck at the moment. Trott nudges forward, hits the man at short leg flush on the boot, the ball pops up high in the air, but lands just out of harms' way. There follows a sublime reverse sweep through the vacant point area for four to bring up his half-century. And Bell moves off the mark with an outrageously positive flat bat over mid-on for four.

44th over: England 119-3 (Trott 46, Bell 0)

Messy. Lakmal appeals – for an age – but his lbw shout was appalling, sliding well down leg. In the melee Jayawardene spotted Bell out of his crease and went for the run out, but missed and England stole a run with an overthrow.

43rd over: England 118-3 (Trott 46, Bell 0)

KP loses his wicket with the fifth delivery of the over, but in truth the damage was done at the start of the over. Sri Lanka celebrate (wildly) two successive bat/pad shouts which were declined, Pietersen then came on strike and tried to attack Randiv, but failed to play the spin and was caught in a right old mess.

WICKET! Kevin Pietersen c M Jayawardene b Randiv 30

Oh dear. Poor shot all things told, KP goes trying to be positive, dancing down the track, fails to meet the pitch, and clips to Jayawardene at short midwicket.

42nd over: England 117-2 (Trott 45, Pietersen 30)

Its the old one-two from Sri Lanka who go for spin/seam combination as Suranga Lakmal joins Randiv in the attack, coming in from the Fort End. Credit to KP who has clearly worked on bringing his bat down straight… but he has a slice of luck after toe-ending back past Lakmal whose despairing dive just fails to take the caught and bowled chance. Maiden.

41st over: England 117-2 (Trott 45, Pietersen 30)

Here we go, then. Suraj Randiv begins the attack for the hosts with short leg, silly point and leg slip inserted. His fourth delivery is over-pitched, becoming a juicy half-volley punched back through covers for four runs. A very decent start for England: six from the over.

5.28: Players are on their way out, the Barmy Army belt out Jerusalem. It looks set for a scorcher, hottest day of the Test so far, I'm told. What a day in prospect!

5.21: One way or another we will have a result today. Thus promoting excitement about the day's play and forwarding the four-day Test argument. Extend the hours, floodlights, why shouldn't it happen

Before play resumes, why not have a quick read of Paul Newman's report.

And here are the observations of Lawrence Booth, too.

5.18: The continued failure of Andrew Strauss with the bat is now of real concern. He has one century in his previous 25 innings, the 110 he scored in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane in November 2010.

The best teams evolve, adapt and resolve problems efficiently. Far from being a leader, it now seems Strauss is a nervy hindrance at top of the order.

But England should persevere with their captain, all is not lost, according to former England captain Nasser Hussain. Have a read of his thoughts here.

5.10am: Morning everyone and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage on day four of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka in Galle. An enthralling day yesterday as Andrew Strauss's side conspired to move into a losing position in the field only to rally with the bat leaving us thinking: what if

The visitors require a record run-chase total of 340 after allowing the hosts' tail to linger and, after losing the two openers cheaply, it seemed like a case of more of the same for England in the subcontinent this summer.

However, the stand between Jonathan Trott (40) and Kevin Pietersen (29) has made the unlikely seem possible. But there's a long way to go yet.


Fighting chance: Pietersen and Trott have given England hope of victory

Fighting chance: Pietersen and Trott have given England hope of victory

Sri Lanka v England, first Test, day three, Galle

LIVE: Sri Lanka v England – follow the action on day three of the first Test in Galle

Stay up to date with all the action on
day three of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England with Sportsmail's
unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the action
unfolds at the Galle International Stadium while our brilliant team of
writers will update with their insights from the ground.
Email your thoughts to tom.bellwood@dailymail.co.uk or tweet to @TomBellwood

Sri Lanka v England: Essentials

England: Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wkt), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (c), Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wkt), Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedera, Suranga Lakmal.

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Rod Tucker (Australia). TV: Bruce Oxenford (Australia). Referee: Javagal Srinath (India).

1st innings: Sri Lanka 318, England 193

Click here for a full scorecard

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40th over: Sri Lanka 95-5 (Chandimal 19, Randiv 12)

Another air-tight over from Anderson. Only the single from it as Randiv dabs to the off side. England bowling well in this early vignette, but need the breakthrough to come soon.

39th over: Sri Lanka 95-5 (Chandimal 19, Randiv 11)

Much talk of what will be a manageable total for England to chase. Interestingly, Sri Lanka scored 253 in their fourth innings on this pitch against Australia last year. Hope yet Swann dips one short, outside off, bottom edge from Randiv cannons off Prior's gloves and runs away. Half a chance.

38th over: Sri Lanka 92-5 (Chandimal 19, Randiv 8)

Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. That's a maiden for Jimmy Anderson.

37th over: Sri Lanka 92-5 (Chandimal 19, Randiv 8)

Just going to throw this out there: England's highest run-chase (in the last ten years) has been 294 against New Zealand in Manchester. Sri Lanka's lead is now 217 with five wickets in hand. Harumph. Swann continues to guile them in, there's drift then turn and really encouraging signs for the spinner. If only the batsmen had given him a bit more to work with. Just one from the over.

36th over: Sri Lanka 91-5 (Chandimal 18, Randiv 8)

(Oh Jimmy, Jimmy. Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy) Anderson joins Swann in the attack, just the one slip in place in these early stages. A touch coy from Andrew Strauss Consensus is England really have to force Sri Lanka's hands if they are to force themselves back into this Test. Stunning cut through point from Randiv as Anderson sends one down wide of off stump. Four runs!

35th over: Sri Lanka 87-5 (Chandimal 18, Randiv 4)

Slip, short leg and a silly point inserted for Graeme Swann who gets the proceedings under way. Encouraging signs for Swann who generates some turn out of the rough. The Barmy Army are in fine voice early on. They serenade the England players with a hearty version of Jerusalem and we batten down the hatches for another rollercoaster day of Test action.

5.28: Another glorious day in Galle, England will certainly be hoping to make further gains before the searing midday heat arrives. The players are making their way out now. Time for the action.

5.25: What do you think will, be an attainable score for England Anything around 250 and you'd hope the visitors can take a 1-0 lead. Easy enough, right

5.20: So, danger man Mahela Jayawardene has gone. The man who stitched the hosts' first-innings together has gone for just five after scoring 180 earlier in the Test. But with the lead already 209, can England's batsmen hold it together when the run chase begins I fear my confidence – like theirs – is on the wane.

5.15: Sportsmail's team in Sri Lanka have passed judgment on the action on day two. You can read Paul Newman's report on day one here. And Lawrence Booth's thoughts here.

5.10am: Morning everyone and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage on day three of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England in Galle. Another day of high drama at this famous old ground yesterday as the Andrew Strauss's side were skittled for a paltry 193, leaving them staring a heavy defeat down the barrel. But late gains from England's bowlers – yet again – have put this game back in the balance although Sri Lanka remain favourites from this position. Fascinating stuff.


Bowled: Thirimanne loses his off stump

Bowled: Thirimanne loses his off stump

Sri Lanka v England, first Test, day two, Galle

LIVE: Sri Lanka v England – all the action on day two of the first Test in Galle

Stay up to date with all the action on
day two of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England with Sportsmail's
unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the action
unfolds at the Galle International Stadium while our brilliant team of
writers will update with their insights from the ground. Email your thoughts to joe.ridge@dailymail.co.uk or tweet to @joeridge87

Sri Lanka v England: Essentials

England: Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wkt), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (c), Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wkt), Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedera, Suranga Lakmal.

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Rod Tucker (Australia). TV: Bruce Oxenford (Australia). Referee: Javagal Srinath (India).

1st innings: Sri Lanka 318, England 193

Click here for a full scorecard

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21st over: Sri Lanka 43-4 (Samaraweera 16, Chandimal 0)

Swann to continue this fine spell of spin bowling. Just one run from the over. A lot resting on the shoulders of the experienced Samaraweera now.

20th over: Sri Lanka 42-4 (Samaraweera 15, Chandimal 0)

Chandimal the new man in for Sri Lanka. He started brightly in the first innings but got out playing a daft shot to Patel. One from Panesar's over.

WICKET! Sangakkara c Anderson b Swann 14

Another crucial wicket from Swann, just as this pair were starting to up the run rate and look settled. He gets the ball to angle away from the left-hander and Anderson takes the catch at gully. England's glimmer of hope is getting brighter.

19th over: Sri Lanka 41-3 (Sangakkara 14, Samaraweera 14)

These two are starting to up the tempo and milk the spinners now.

18th over: Sri Lanka 36-3 (Sangakkara 10, Samaraweera 13)

A couple more singles in the offing for these two experienced batsmen off the bowling of Panesar… Four! Sangakkara sweeps hard and square and the ball races to the fence.

17th over: Sri Lanka 30-3 (Sangakkara 5, Samaraweera 12)

Single for Samaraweera to mid on. Sangakkara takes one for himself. This partnership building slowly, very slowly in fact, but surely.

16th over: Sri Lanka 28-3 (Sangakkara 4, Samaraweera 11)

Close! Samaraweera nearly chops one on from Monty. Just one from the over.

15th over: Sri Lanka 27-3 (Sangakkara 4, Samaraweera 10)

Edge! But it's wide of Anderson at slip. Sangakkara pushes a single into the off side. Swann has really got the bit between his teeth today.

14th over: Sri Lanka 25-3 (Sangakkara 3, Samaraweera 9)

Samaraweera breaks the run drought by flicking a single to midwicket. One more single added from Panesar's over.

13th over: Sri Lanka 23-3 (Sangakkara 2, Samaraweera 8)

Swann continuing… Another maiden. Pressure building.

12th over: Sri Lanka 23-3 (Sangakkara 2, Samaraweera 8)

Both batsmen don their caps as Panesar is brought into the attack. Good start. Maiden.

11th over: Sri Lanka 23-3 (Sangakkara 2, Samaraweera 8)

Swann to continue what has been a devastating spell. Sangakkara is on strike… Close! He just gets his bat down on one playing off the back foot – they scamper a single. Samaraweera advances and knocks one to mid on.

Key wicket: Jayawardene edges behind to Anderson

Key wicket: Jayawardene edges behind to Anderson

10th over: Sri Lanka 21-3 (Sangakkara 1, Samaraweera 7)

Broad has been struggling a bit with his injured ankle but he will continue. Samaraweera flicks two off his pads to square leg. Shot! Samaraweera leans into a cover drive that races away for four.

9th over: Sri Lanka 15-3 (Sangakkara 1, Samaraweera 1)

Samaraweera the new man in. It was a brilliant sharp catch by Anderson for Mahela's wicket by the way… Samaraweera is off the mark with a single, taking 22 balls less then he did to do so in the first innings.

WICKET! Jayawardene c Anderson b Swann 5

Huge wicket! Swann is back with a bang… he nicks Jayawardene's edge and suddenly England have the wind in their sails.

8th over: Sri Lanka 14-2 (Sangakkara 1, Jayawardene 5)

Jayawardene works Broad for a single. He looks to have picked up where he left off.

Got him! Swann and co celebrate the wicket of Jayawardene

Got him! Swann and co celebrate the wicket of Jayawardene

7th over: Sri Lanka 12-2 (Sangakkara 1, Jayawardene 4)

Lots of turn for Swann all of sudden… Four! Jayawardene gets off the mark straight away with a guide down to third man.

WICKET! Thirimanne b Swann 6

You beauty! That's more like the Graeme Swann of old, he turns it from middle stump to take the top of the left-handers off stump. Inspired move by Strauss to bring him on so early as he strikes with just his second ball.

6th over: Sri Lanka 8-1 (Thirimanne 6, Sangakkara 1)

Broad into his third over of the innings. Just one from the over.

5th over: Sri Lanka 7-1 (Thirimanne 5, Sangakkara 1)

Chance! Thirimanne was gone with a direct hit there. Patel missed the stumps by whiskers as Sangakkara scrambled his first run. Thirimanne works a single off Anderson into the leg side. Two from the over.

Bowled: Thirimanne loses his off stump

Bowled: Thirimanne loses his off stump

4th over: Sri Lanka 5-1 (Thirimanne 4, Sangakkara 0)

Broad into his second over. What a beauty that was from him to get rid of the dangerous Dilshan. Another maiden for Broad who is bowling with real ferocity. Sangakkara still on a pair.

3rd over: Sri Lanka 5-1 (Thirimanne 4, Sangakkara 0)

Thirimanne works Anderson into the leg side for one… and that's it from the over.

2nd over: Sri Lanka 4-1 (Thirimanne 3, Sangakkara 0)

Sangakkara is the new man in and he's on a king pair… He's off the king pair, but is still on a pair. Wicket maiden.

WICKET! Dilshan b Broad 0

What a jaffa! Broad clatters Dilshan's middle and leg stump with an inswinging full-length delivery. Beautiful bowling.

All over: Panesar's wicket signals the end of England's innings

All over: Panesar's wicket signals the end of England's innings

2nd over: Sri Lanka 4-0 (Thirimanne 3, Dilshan 0)

Broad to share the new ball. /03/27/article-2120507-125A39B8000005DC-781_634x436.jpg” width=”634″ height=”436″ alt=”Teeing off: Panesar hits Herath for four” class=”blkBorder” />

Teeing off: Panesar hits Herath for four

WICKET! Panesar lbw b Randiv 13

The brave 10th wicket stand is over. That looked too high to me but no reviews left.

47th over: England 193-9 (Anderson 23, Panesar 13)

Randiv changes ends and replaces Herath… Monty picks up another single. Anderson works one to midwicket.

46th over: England 191-9 (Anderson 22, Panesar 12)

Randiv is replaced by the left-arm pace of Welegedera. Monty clips him off his pads for a single to midwicket. Signs of reverse swing for Welegedera, which will encourage Anderson. Shot! That will encourage Anderson too! He crashes a four through the covers.

45th over: England 186-9 (Anderson 18, Panesar 11)

Shot! Monty creams Herath over midwicket for another four. He tries to repeat the trick but it's well fielded and just a single this time. Anderson then adds two through the covers. Four! Jimmy times a drive well through the covers and it races away on this rapid outfield. 11 from that over.

Another one bites the dust: Graeme Swann is caught out

Another one bites the dust: Graeme Swann is caught out

44th over: England 175-9 (Anderson 12, Panesar 6)

Anderson sweeps Randiv fine for a single. Monty pushes a single into the off side with a prod that was nearly snared at silly mid off. Anderson then hacks two more into the off side. Four from the over.

43rd over: England 171-9 (Anderson 9, Panesar 5)

Shot Monty! Panesar shows how it's done by belting Herath back over his head for four. He then picks up a single to mid off. Shot! Jimmy joins the party with a reverse sweep for four. They then scamper a single, so Anderson will keep the strike.

42nd over: England 161-9 (Anderson 4, Panesar 0)

Four! Anderson sweeps Randiv powerfully to the square leg boundary.

WICKET! Bell b Herath 52

Bell gets a beauty from Herath. It pitched on middle and took the top of his off stump. Wicket maiden for Herath who now has six wickets.

Gone: Sri Lanka successfully appeal for the wicket of Prior

Gone: Sri Lanka successfully appeal for the wicket of Prior

WICKET! Swann c Dilshan b Randiv 24

Swann's cameo comes to an end as he hits it straight to Dilshan at short extra cover. It wasn't a great ball and it deserved to be punished, he middled it as well… good reactions from Dilshan.

40th over: England 157-7 (Bell 52, Swann 24)

Bell tucks Randiv into the leg side for a single.

39th over: England 156-7 (Bell 51, Swann 24)

Four! Herath offers Swann a bit of width and he crashes him through the covers. Shot! This time Swann sweeps in front of square for another boundary.

38th over: England 148-7 (Bell 51, Swann 16)

Randiv continues his spell and has Bell on strike. Shot! Bell brings up his 50 with a firm sweep to the square leg boundary.

37th over: England 144-7 (Bell 47, Swann 16)

Bell paddles Herath for three runs down to fine leg.

One man stand: Bell salutes his 50

One man stand: Bell salutes his 50

36th over: England 141-7 (Bell 44, Swann 16)

Four! Swann uses his feet well again as he hits Randiv to the extra cover boundary. Four more! Swann glances a wayward one from Randiv fine.

35th over: England 132-7 (Bell 43, Swann 8)

Bell works Herath for one to end a run of dots… Shot! Swann looking very comfortable against spin as he dances down the track and goes the aerial route for a four to midwicket.

34th over: England 127-7 (Bell 42, Swann 4)

Randiv to Bell, who works a single into the off side. Swann looks like something from the 1960s with his cap on.

33rd over: England 126-7 (Bell 41, Swann 4)

Shot! Swann is the new man in and he immediately comes down the track and hits Herath over long on for four.

WICKET! Broad lbw b Herath 28

It's being reviewed… out. The sweep was pre-meditated by Broad there and he got hit in front in a very similar dismissal to that of Strauss. the only issue was whether or not it hit the bat. A cloud of dust makes it impossible to tell on the replay but he probably didn't hit it, and as the umpire gave it in the first place, Bruce Oxenford leaves it with him.

Broad ambition: Stuart Broad's review was unsuccessful

Broad ambition: Stuart Broad's review was unsuccessful

32nd over: England 122-6 (Bell 41, Broad 28)

After conceding 27 runs in two overs, Lakmal is pulled out of the attack. Randiv comes on to bowl his spin, and he has Broad on strike. He paddles for one. Out! No… Bell survives after his sweep hits the grill of Thirimanne's helmet before landing in the keeper's hands. Just to clarify, if the ball hits the helmet, you can't be out… One from the over.

31st over: England 121-6 (Bell 41, Broad 27)

Herath continues to Bell. Another maiden.

30th over: England 121-6 (Bell 41, Broad 27)

Lakmal decides to come around the wicket to Broad after the battering he took in the last over. Four! Broad edges a drive behind square… they all count. Shot! Broad spanks that one square for another boundary. England have avoided the follow-on. That will be drinks.

29th over: England 113-6 (Bell 41, Broad 19)

Those fireworks have livened things up a bit… Herath now to Bell, who is looking solid in defence. Maiden.

Five-fer: Herath took apart England's batting line-up

Five-fer: Herath took apart England's batting line-up

28th over: England 113-6 (Bell 41, Broad 19)

Lakmal comes into the attack in place of fellow seamer Welegedera. Bell pulls a single. Shot! Broad drives on the up through extra cover for four. What a shot! Lakmal goes short to Broad and the big man belts him high into the crowd. Four! Broad gives a long hop the treatment with another pull this time for four to deep midwicket. And another! This time he drives off the back foot through the covers. Great display of counter-attacking from Broad.

27th over: England 94-6 (Bell 40, Broad 1)

This partnership is England's last hope of a decent score. Broad paddles a single first ball to get off the mark. Bell pushes a single off the back foot to point.

WICKET! Patel lbw b Herath 2

Oh dear. Patel gets done by the arm ball from Herath and they don't even consider the review it was that plum.

Counter attack: Bell cuts for four

Counter attack: Bell cuts for four

26th over: England 92-5 (Bell 39, Patel 2)

Patel picks up a single off Welegedara, who has tightened up his line after some wayward bowling to Bell earlier in the session.

25th over: England 91-5 (Bell 39, Patel 1)

Bell is watchful to Herath and allows the spinner a maiden.

24th over: England 91-5 (Bell 39, Patel 1)

Welegedera continues his spell. Bell prods a single to cover. Patel is happy to see off the rest of the over.

23rd over: England 90-5 (Bell 38, Patel 1)

Herath to Patel again. The Notts man gets his first Test run with a push to extra cover. Bell adds one into the off side. Two from the over.

Captain marvel: Jayawardene orders the successful review for Strauss' wicket

Captain marvel: Jayawardene orders the successful review for Strauss' wicket

22nd over: England 88-5 (Bell 37, Patel 0)

Shot! Welegedera gives Bell too much width again and cuts powerfully behind square for his seventh boundary of the innings. Four! Width again and Bell slaps it late behind square – make that eight boundaries.

21st over: England 80-5 (Bell 29, Patel 0)

Herath to Patel. Six dots, that's a maiden.

20th over: England 80-5 (Bell 29, Patel 0)

Welegedera has Bell on strike. Four! Bell drives square after being given a bit of width. Shot! Bell is showing his colleagues how it should be done, an elegant drive through the covers that Mahela would have been proud of.

WICKET! Prior lbw b Herath 7

I said Herath was average and I stand by it. That was just poor from Prior. He went back in his crease and was hit right in front. The only issue was height but the review shows it was hitting the top of middle. England in disarray and make no bones about it, this is not a top class Test attack they're facing.

Six: Bell launches one into the crowd

Six: Bell launches one into the crowd

19th over: England 72-4 (Bell 21, Prior 7)

Herath continues with Prior on strike. Four! Short and wide from the average Herath and Prior cuts to the rope. WICKET! It's being reviewed…

18th over: England 68-4 (Bell 21, Prior 3)

It's Prior and not Patel who comes in at No 6, and he immediately gets off the mark with a drive for three runs.

WICKET! Pietersen b Welegedera 3

Another one bites the dust. KP attempts the drive as Welegedera come around the wicket and gets an inside edge on to his off stump.

17th over: England 65-3 (Pietersen 3, Bell 21)

Herath to bowl the first over after lunch… Four! Herath goes too short and Bell cuts square. Shot! Bell dances down the track and hits Herath back over his head for a two-bounce four.

Big wicket: Welegedera celebrates the scalp of Pietersen

Big wicket: Welegedera celebrates the scalp of Pietersen

LUNCH ON DAY TWO: ENGLAND TRAIL BY 261 RUNS

Sportsmail's Paul Newman in Galle: 'That is a miserable and worrying session for England. To lose two soft wickets to Rangana Herath is inexcusable. He really is an average spinner and the wicket isn't too bad at all yet. Not sure whether Ian Bell's six was a confident shot or betrayed a hint of desperation but he is much better against spin when he knows which way the ball is turning, like here. England simply need Bell and Kevin Pietersen to bat throughout the afternoon session or they will be in trouble. If they concede a first innings lead I am afraid they have lost this match and their chance of winning this mini-series.'

16th over: England 57-3 (Pietersen 3, Bell 13)

This will be the last over before lunch and Welegedera will bowl it to give Lakmal a breather. KP sees him off. That will be lunch. Definitely Sri Lanka's session.

15th over: England 57-3 (Pietersen 3, Bell 13)

Shot! Bell dances down the track to Herath and launches Herath over the long on rope. Four! Another lovely stroke from Bell as he whips Herath through midwicket for four more.

Disarray: Strauss heads back to the pavilion

Disarray: Strauss heads back to the pavilion

14th over: England 47-3 (Pietersen 3, Bell 3)

Lakmal now into the seventh over of a lengthy spell. Good fielding from Randiv at fine leg saves a boundary after a strong pull from KP. Bell gets off the mark with a cover drive for three.

13th over: England 43-3 (Pietersen 2, Bell 0)

The two men in the most desperate need of Test runs for England are now charged with rescuing England's innings.

WICKET! Strauss lbw b Herath 26

Middle stump, half way up… England in deep trouble now. The impact with the pad was so soon after pitching the umpire would have been guessing at the amount of turn, but HawkEye shows it was going straight on.

13th over: England 43-2 (Strauss 26, Pietersen 2)

Pietersen keen to attack Herath here and he picks up a single after a good stop at mid on. Appeal! Not out. Sri Lanka take the review… Out!

Stumped: Trott fails to get back in his ground

Stumped: Trott fails to get back in his ground

12th over: England 42-2 (Strauss 26, Pietersen 1)

Lakmal to continue… Strauss adds a single. KP off the mark with a single to midwicket. Two from that one.

11th over: England 40-2 (Strauss 25, Pietersen 0)

KP to start against left-arm spin then… He survives.

WICKET! Trott st P Jayawardene b Herath 12

I spoke to soon, a bizarre wicket. Herath delivered a stinker of a delivery, Trott completely missed it and Prasanna Jayawardene whipped off the bails. The keeper then ran straight into an outstretched Trott as he celebrated, pole-axing England's No 3 who looked to have bent his neck forward quite badly. He's up though eventually and on his way back to the pavilion.

11th over: England 40-1 (Strauss 25, Trott 12)

Strauss tucks Herath for one to fine leg.

Double whammy: Trott lies in pain after a blow to the head following the fall of his wicket

Double whammy: Trott lies in pain after a blow to the head following the fall of his wicket

10th over: England 39-1 (Strauss 24, Trott 12)

Suranga Lakmal continues his spell… Strauss works a single to square leg. Two more singles added to the score. These two are settling things down nicely after that early wicket.

9th over: England 36-1 (Strauss 22, Trott 12)

Jayawardene decides it's time for some spin and it's the left-armer Herath to bowl. Strauss flicks two down to fine leg. Edge! But it beats the skipper at slip and runs away for three down to third man.

8th over: England 31-1 (Strauss 17, Trott 12)

Lakmal continues his spell… Wide given as Lakmal goes too short and too wide. Strauss punches two through the covers. He repeats the trick off the next ball, though this time picks up three runs. Six from the over.

High hopes: Sri Lanka made a strong start

High hopes: Sri Lanka made a strong start

7th over: England 25-1 (Strauss 12, Trott 12)

Short and wide again from Welegedera put a brilliant diving parry from Dilshan at point prevents the boundary. Shot! Trott ends a run of dots with a powerful clip past mid on for four runs.

6th over: England 20-1 (Strauss 11, Trott 8)

There's some movement in this pitch to encourage Sri Lanka's two seamers. Trott sees Lakmal off that time though. Maiden.

5th over: England 20-1 (Strauss 11, Trott 8)

Four! Short and wide from Welegedera and Strauss cuts a simple boundary.

BREAKING:
South Africa have drawn the third and final test in New Zealand and win
the series 1-0. That means that England will remain as world No 1 if
they win or draw the series.

4th over: England 16-1 (Strauss 7, Trott 8)

Lakmal into his second over. Shot! Anything you can do, says Strauss as he eases Lakmal to the midwicket boundary with perfect timing. A leg bye is added to fine leg.

Strong start: Lakmal celebrates the wicket of Alastair Cook

Strong start: Lakmal celebrates the wicket of Alastair Cook

3rd over: England 11-1 (Strauss 3, Trott 8)

Strauss clips Welegedera through midwicket for three runs to finally get England off the mark… Cue Trott's pre-shot routine… Shot! Trott times a clip beautifully that races away to the midwicket rope. Four! Trott times another perfectly this time through the covers.

2nd over: England 0-1 (Strauss 0, Trott 0)

That brings Trott to the crease. Trott and Strauss scored unbeaten centuries together in one of the warm-up matches. Wicket maiden from Lakmal.

WICKET! Cook lbw b Lakmal 0

No need to review that one! What a start for Sri Lanka. An absolute jaffa from Lakmal as he pitches on off and gets the ball to straighten to the left-armer. HawkEye confirms it was hitting off stump. Not too much wrong with Cook's technique, just a brilliant piece of bowling.

2nd over: England 0-0 (Strauss 0, Cook 0)

Lakmal to share the new ball.

Early breakthrough: Lakmal celebrates

Early breakthrough: Lakmal celebrates

1st over: England 0-0 (Strauss 0, Cook 0)

Welegedera to open the bowling for Sri Lanka. He caused Strauss plenty of problems last summer, I seem to remember him getting the England skipper with the first ball of an innings at some stage in that series… Some swing early on for the left-hander. Maiden.

6.15am: Here come Strauss and Cook. This is the moment we've all been waiting for. Have England learned their lessons from the Pakistan series

Sportsmail's Paul Newman in Galle: 'And so ends a truly great innings from Mahela Jayawardene, even if he was dropped four times, and an excellent bowling performance from Jimmy Anderson. He used to need the ball to swing to be effective but he has so many more weapons now. He will go on and take at least 300 wickets for England now. For now Sri Lanka have scored a lot more than they should have done at 15 for three and 191 for seven. This is a bit worrying for England. They have to bat last on a pitch that will deteriorate. Really need a score of 400 plus now.'

Five-fer: Anderson salutes the crowd

Five-fer: Anderson salutes the crowd

WICKET! M Jayawardene c Prior b Anderson 180

How fitting that the innings ends with Anderson and Jayawardene taking centre stage. Mahela gets an absolute beauty from Jimmy – who picks up his fifth wicket – to end a sensational innings.

96th over: Sri Lanka 318-9 (M Jayawardene 180, Lakmal 0)

Broad has the new man Lakmal on strike… He gets one off the shoulder of the bat but there's no one at silly point. Broad didn't make Lakmal play enough there. Maiden.

95th over: Sri Lanka 318-9 (M Jayawardene 180, Lakmal 0)

Jayawardene looks like he could bat for five days out there at the moment… They take two down to third man. Four! Anderson strays down leg and Mahela helps it on its way.

Imperious knock: Jayawardene scored 180 for Sri Lanka

Imperious knock: Jayawardene scored 180 for Sri Lanka

94th over: Sri Lanka 312-9 (M Jayawardene 174, Lakmal 0)

That was the last ball of the over so Jayawardene is on strike to Broad. They turn down the single to third man. Four! Mahela mistimes a heave over long on but it lands safely and beats the fielders to the rope. Jayawardene keeps the strike with a single.

WICKET! Welegedera b Anderson 19

Gorgeous off-cutting slower ball from Anderson. Welegedera plays all around and says goodbye to his leg stump. Justice for Jimmy after taking an undeserved battering in the first over of the day.

93rd over: Sri Lanka 307-8 (M Jayawardene 169, Welegedera 19)

Welegedera gets off strike with a leading edge to cover. Lots of tinkering from Strauss in the field so far this morning as they try to come up with a plan to get rid of these two. Jayawardene scrambles a single to extra cover.

Five-fer: Anderson picked up the remaining two wickets on day two

Five-fer: Anderson picked up the remaining two wickets on day two

92nd over: Sri Lanka 305-8 (M Jayawardene 168, Welegedera 18)

Stuart Broad to bowl the second over of the day with this new-ish ball. Jayawardene turns down the single to square leg to keep the strike. Strauss is not happy as the field don't automatically come up to save the single after the fourth ball – England can't afford to be dozy again as they were in the evening session yesterday. Good start from Broad. Maiden.

91st over: Sri Lanka 305-8 (M Jayawardene 168, Welegedera 18)

Here we go then. Anderson to bowl the first over of another scorching day… Four! Leg byes down to fine leg via Welegedera's thigh pad. Four! A short ball flies off the shoulder of the bat and over the slips. Four! Poor Jimmy, who has now seen three decent deliveries fly to the boundary, this one deflecting off Welegedera's helmet over the slips. Four! What a start for Sri Lanka! This Welegedera gets bat on ball as he pulls Anderson in front of square. Expensive start – 16 from that over.

Chin music: Sri Lanka score four byes via Welegedera's helmet

Chin music: Sri Lanka score four byes via Welegedera's helmet

5.27am: Right, enough of my waffle… they're nearly ready to go out in Galle. Let's hope the first hour today is as dramatic as it was yesterday.

5.20am: If Sri Lanka could keep the tail wagging for an hour or so then they would really deal a psychological blow. After the start England had yesterday, they really should have had the hosts out for no more than 250. To get them out for under 350 though would be by no means a disaster on this tepid pitch.

5.15am: It will be interesting to see how England respond with the bat later today. Can they prove that the Pakistan whitewash was just a blip Big question marks remain over the form of Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and, in particular, Ian Bell. Samit Patel is down to come in at No 7 but he may be elevated above Matt Prior into the No 6 spot vacated by Eoin Morgan.

Star of the show: Mahela Jayawardene

Star of the show: Mahela Jayawardene

5.10am: England will have to put the disappointment of those two drops yesterday evening by Monty Panesar behind them. The reprieves for Jayawardene saw England heads visibly drop and helped to put some gloss on what would have been a well-below par first innings score for the hosts.

5.05am: Before the start of play at 5.30am GMT, why not catch up on some essential reading by Sportsmail's team of writers… Paul Newman's report on day one is here. Lawrence Booth's look at the day is here. And James Anderson told Lawrence that England have to put Monty's dropped catches behind them here.

5.00am: Good morning everyone and welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of the second day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Galle. The match hangs in the balance after yesterday's proceedings after the hosts recovered from a shocking start to close on 289-8 thanks to captain Mahela Jayawardene's brilliant unbeaten 168.

Flying start: Anderson celebrates the wicket of Sangakkara as the Barmy Army watch on

Flying start: Anderson celebrates the wicket of Sangakkara as the Barmy Army watch on

England v Sri Lanka, first Test, day two, Galle

LIVE: England v Sri Lanka – all the action on day two of the first Test in Galle

Stay up to date with all the action on
day two of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka with Sportsmail's
unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the action
unfolds at the Galle International Stadium while our brilliant team of
writers will update with their insights from the ground. Email your thoughts to joe.ridge@dailymail.co.uk or tweet to @joeridge87

England v Sri Lanka: Essentials

England: Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wkt), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (c), Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wkt), Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedera, Suranga Lakmal.

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Rod Tucker (Australia). TV: Bruce Oxenford (Australia). Referee: Javagal Srinath (India).

Click here for a full scorecard

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96th over: Sri Lanka 318-9 (M Jayawardene 180, Lakmal 0)

Broad has the new man Lakmal on strike… He gets one off the shoulder of the bat but there's no one at silly point. Broad didn't make Lakmal play enough there. Maiden.

95th over: Sri Lanka 318-9 (M Jayawardene 180, Lakmal 0)

Jayawardene looks like he could bat for five days out there at the moment… They take two down to third man. Four! Anderson strays down leg and Mahela helps it on its way.

94th over: Sri Lanka 312-9 (M Jayawardene 174, Lakmal 0)

That was the last ball of the over so Jayawardene is on strike to Broad. They turn down the single to third man. Four! Mahela mistimes a heave over long on but it lands safely and beats the fielders to the rope. Jayawardene keeps the strike with a single.

WICKET! Welegedera b Anderson 19

Gorgeous off-cutting slower ball from Anderson. Welegedera plays all around and says goodbye to his leg stump. Justice for Jimmy after taking an undeserved battering in the first over of the day.

93rd over: Sri Lanka 307-8 (M Jayawardene 169, Welegedera 19)

Welegedera gets off strike with a leading edge to cover. Lots of tinkering from Strauss in the field so far this morning as they try to come up with a plan to get rid of these two. Jayawardene scrambles a single to extra cover.

92nd over: Sri Lanka 305-8 (M Jayawardene 168, Welegedera 18)

Stuart Broad to bowl the second over of the day with this new-ish ball. Jayawardene turns down the single to square leg to keep the strike. Strauss is not happy as the field don't automatically come up to save the single after the fourth ball – England can't afford to be dozy again as they were in the evening session yesterday. Good start from Broad. Maiden.

91st over: Sri Lanka 305-8 (M Jayawardene 168, Welegedera 18)

Here we go then. Anderson to bowl the first over of another scorching day… Four! Leg byes down to fine leg via Welegedera's thigh pad. Four! A short ball flies off the shoulder of the bat and over the slips. Four! Poor Jimmy, who has now seen three decent deliveries fly to the boundary, this one deflecting off Welegedera's helmet over the slips. Four! What a start for Sri Lanka! This Welegedera gets bat on ball as he pulls Anderson in front of square. Expensive start – 16 from that over.

Chin music: Sri Lanka score four byes via Welegedera's helmet

Chin music: Sri Lanka score four byes via Welegedera's helmet

5.27am: Right, enough of my waffle… they're nearly ready to go out in Galle. Let's hope the first hour today is as dramatic as it was yesterday.

5.20am: If Sri Lanka could keep the tail wagging for an hour or so then they would really deal a psychological blow. After the start England had yesterday, they really should have had the hosts out for no more than 250. To get them out for under 350 though would be by no means a disaster on this tepid pitch.

5.15am: It will be interesting to see how England respond with the bat later today. Can they prove that the Pakistan whitewash was just a blip Big question marks remain over the form of Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and, in particular, Ian Bell. Samit Patel is down to come in at No 7 but he may be elevated above Matt Prior into the No 6 spot vacated by Eoin Morgan.

Star of the show: Mahela Jayawardene

Star of the show: Mahela Jayawardene

5.10am: England will have to put the disappointment of those two drops yesterday evening by Monty Panesar behind them. The reprieves for Jayawardene saw England heads visibly drop and helped to put some gloss on what would have been a well-below par first innings score for the hosts.

5.05am: Before the start of play at 5.30am GMT, why not catch up on some essential reading by Sportsmail's team of writers… Paul Newman's report on day one is here. Lawrence Booth's look at the day is here. And James Anderson told Lawrence that England have to put Monty's dropped catches behind them here.

5.00am: Good morning everyone and welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of the second day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Galle. The match hangs in the balance after yesterday's proceedings after the hosts recovered from a shocking start to close on 289-8 thanks to captain Mahela Jayawardene's brilliant unbeaten 168.

Flying start: Anderson celebrates the wicket of Sangakkara as the Barmy Army watch on

Flying start: Anderson celebrates the wicket of Sangakkara as the Barmy Army watch on

Angelo Matthews misses Sri Lanka v England

Sri Lanka suffer blow ahead of England Test as Matthews is ruled out

|

UPDATED:

11:37 GMT, 23 March 2012

Out: Sri Lanka's Angelo Matthews

Out: Sri Lanka's Angelo Matthews

Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews has failed a fitness test and was left out of the 14-man squad picked for the first Test against England in Galle starting on Monday.

Mathews missed the Asia Cup because of a calf injury and selectors picked middle-order batsman Chamara Silva to make up the squad.

'I don't think we can use Mathews as an all-rounder in the future,' said chief selector Ashantha de Mel. 'Mathews has some problem with his legs and it is very unlikely he will bowl much. We have to look at him purely as a batsman.'

Silva scored a magnificent 163 off 180 balls for a Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI in a three-day warm-up match against England which ended on Thursday.

He has been in prolific form during the home first-class season and was the only batsman to top 1,000 runs.

Silva played the last of his 11 Tests for Sri Lanka in April 2008 against West Indies in Port of Spain and has been a regular player in the one-day side ever since.

In Mathews's absence, Thilan Samaraweera has been named vice-captain to Mahela Jayawardene.

In charge: Mahela Jayawardene will captain Sri Lanka against England

In charge: Mahela Jayawardene will captain Sri Lanka against England

SRI LANKA SQUAD

M Jayawardene (c), T Samaraweera (vc), T Dilshan, T Paranavitana, L Thirimanne, K Sangakkara, D Chandimal, P Jayawardene, S Lakmal, D Prasad, C Welegedera, S Randiv, R Herath.

De Mel said Tharanga Paranavitana and Lahiru Thirimanne would have to fight for a place as partner to Tillakaratne Dilshan in the opening pair.

Either Suranga Lakmal or Dhammika Prasad is expected to partner Chanaka Welegedara as a fast bowler while the No 7 spot will be between regular wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal who had not kept wicket for some time, De Mel said.

England and Sri Lanka will play a two-Test series with the second scheduled to start in Colombo on April 3.

Struggling Sri Lanka sack Marsh and appoint Ford as new coach

Struggling Sri Lanka sack Marsh and appoint Ford as new coach

New man in charge: Graham Ford

New man in charge: Graham Ford

Sri Lanka have sacked coach Geoff Marsh and appointed South African Graham Ford on a two-year contract.

Ford is the third coach Sri Lanka have
employed since Trevor Bayliss quit after leading them to the
World Cup final last year.

Ford, 51, resigned early last week as head coach of the Durban-based franchise Dolphins stating he wanted to 'follow my dreams of involvement at an international level'.

He was South African coach from 1999 to 2001 before moving to English county Kent as director of cricket in 2004. In 2006 he returned to South Africa to take charge of the Dolphins.

Marsh, a former Australian opener and coach, signed a two-year deal to coach Sri Lanka in September but oversaw just two tours against Pakistan and South Africa which both ended in defeat.

'Marsh had a meeting with Sri Lanka Cricket officials and was told that his services were no longer required. Sri Lanka Cricket thanked Marsh for his services,' the official said.

The decision to change coaches follows the switch of captain earlier this week when Mahela Jayawardene was appointed after Tillakaratne Dilshan resigned.

The newly elected cricket board have also replaced manager Anura Tennekoon with Charith Senanayake for the Australian tour.

South Africa cruise to victory against Sri Lanka in first Test

Philander makes light work of Sri Lanka as South Africa cruise to victory in first Test

Vernon Philander furthered his growing reputation as South Africa thumped Sri Lanka by an innings and 81 runs in the first Test at Centurion on Saturday.

Philander completed the wide-margin victory with his 10th wicket of the match as Sri Lanka were skittled for 150 to lose inside three days.

High fives: South Africa

High fives: South Africa”s Vernon Philander celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan

South Africa v Sri Lanka

Click here for a full scorecard

After taking five wickets in the first innings, Philander followed it up with figures of five for 49 as Sri Lanka”s batsmen capitulated for the second time in the match.

It was Philander”s fourth five-wicket haul, in just his third Test, and with Dale Steyn the 26-year-old is fast forming one of the most threatening new-ball partnerships.

After South Africa were eventually bowled out for 411 early on Saturday morning, when Mark Boucher edged behind off Chanaka Welegedara, Philander immediately got to work.

Easy pickings: Mark Boucher celebrates reaching a half century

Easy pickings: Mark Boucher celebrates reaching a half century

The right-armer removed Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, both caught by wicketkeeper Boucher, with the new ball as Sri Lanka crashed to four for 37.

Boucher , who took six catches in the innings, was in the action again when Steyn located the edge of opener Tharanga Paranavitana”s bat before Jacques Kallis ran out Mahela Jayawardene.

The tourists” miserable start was made worse as Jayawardene was caught short attempting the run that would have made him the first Sri Lankan to reach 10,000 Test runs.

Thilan Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews briefly stopped the flow of wickets, in a 29-run stand, but Philander was in inspired form and he produced a delivery that left Mathews just enough to catch the edge and fly through to Boucher.

Four balls later Samaraweera followed, edging yet another catch to Boucher off Morne Morkel, to depart for 32.

The wickets continued to tumble before Philander wrapped things up when he removed the final two to complete his 10-wicket haul.

He first held on to a catch off his own bowling after Welegedara top-edged an ambitious slog before finishing matters when, fittingly, he had Rangana Herath caught by Boucher.