Agencies
Angelo Mathews’s impressive, unbeaten 107 helped Sri Lanka to recover from a nervy start and close the opening day of the second Test versus England in Galle at 229/4.
In what turned out to be an attritional day’s play, Mathews played with a mature head on his shoulders to help the home side paddle through quite a few difficult periods. Mathews came out to bat in the fifth over itself after the fall of Oshada Fernando and had to negotiate the early threat of James Anderson. Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne, though, showed the required temperament and technique to get through the testing opening hour.
Mathews and Thirimanne then tried to play with more freedom, attacking the spin duo with the loft, slog-sweep and the drive. The batting pair also looked set to share a stand of substance. Just that, against the run of play, Thirimanne played a loose shot off Anderson and was caught behind. At that juncture, with Sri Lanka three down, Dinesh Chandimal (52) and Mathews strung together a crucial 117-run stand to set the platform for a good score.
Meanwhile, Mark Wood bowled with sustained hostility with the older ball to test the opposition batsmen. Chandimal took a blow on his helmet and was also hit on the glove. Wood also generated reverse swing at a pace to keep the experienced batsmen in check. Eventually, in his next spell, Wood was rewarded for his effort when he trapped Chandimal in front with the inswinger. Chandimal took the review but to no avail.
Despite losing Chandimal, Mathews went on to complete his 11th Test ton with a single off Jack Leach. He also guided the side to stumps with Niroshan Dickwella giving him company at the other end. The plucky wicket-keeper-batsman had a nervy moment or two late in the day but survived.
Meanwhile, Anderson was the best bowler on show for the visitors, finishing with excellent figures of 3 for 24 from 19 overs. The England paceman, who had generated appreciable swing in Galle and picked up a five-for in 2012, was again able to find movement with the new ball. The Sri Lankan top-order batsmen also paid the price for playing loose shots.
The hosts, who elected to bat, would be happier of the two sides at close of play, especially in the backdrop of Galle track expected to assist spinners later on in the match.
