Galle: England won the first test match vs Srilanka by 7 wickets and took a lead of 1-0 in the test series. The touring side was all over the host in the opening match and completed the formality today with Johnny Bairstow (35) and Daniel Lawrence (21) at the crease.
With a target of less than 100 to chase, England were expected to sail through but they made a nervous start and lost few wickets on the fourth day.
Lasith Embuldeniya drew first blood for Sri Lanka in the first over of England’s innings, knocking over Dom Sibley’s stumps.
The Sri Lanka spinners troubled the England batsmen with their sharp turns and Embuldeniya was rewarded with another wicket when he dismissed Zak Crawley (8) in the fifth over, making him edge to Kusal Mendis at gully.
With both openers back in the hut, England needed to play cautiously but a poor decision from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root pegged them back further. The duo went for a tight single and Niroshan Dickwella raced towards short cover and aimed at the stumps to catch Root well short of the crease at the striker’s end.
However on the fifth day both batsman ensured there is no further casuality and completed the fourth consecutive win over Srilanka on the host's home turf.(WD)