Galle – Captain Joe Root’s batting gave England the advantage on the first day of the first Test vs. Sri Lanka. Scoring his fiftieth half-century in Test matches, Joe put England in control, scoring a disciplined 66no when stumps were drawn.
England’s dominant position was assisted by Sri Lanka’s unconvincing performance with the bat. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat. Stuart Broad was quick into the action, having Thirimanne (4) caught in the seventh over. Stuart then dismissed Mendis (0) and Mathews (27) as the home team collapsed to 135 all out in only the forty-seventh over. Dom Bess taking 5-30 as Sri Lanka imploded.
England’s innings did not start well. With 17 runs scored and a wicket down, Zak Crawley (9) was caught off Ambuldeniya. Then Joe and Jonny Bairstow (47no) showed there were few devils in the Galle pitch. Joe’s 50 (3 fours) coming off 94 balls. Together with Bairstow, Joe took England to 127-2 at the close of play.
When play on the second day begins, Joe will have one-eye on his eighteenth Test century.
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