Published: May 19, 2016, 08:20 PM (IST)
Edited: May 20, 2016, 10:58 AM (IST)
Alex Hales’ 71* and Johny Bairstow’s 54* have ensured that England finish the Tea at 171 for 5 in the first day of the 1st Test at Headingly. Coming together with score at 83/5, both the batsmen played brilliantly to deal with Sri Lankan bowlers. The hosts were left wanting early on after debutante Dasun Shanaka struck three times just before lunch to leave England stranded at 57 for 3. And soon after the break, Joe Vince and Ben Stokes were also removed in quick succession. Bairstow then arrived at the crease and took on the bowlers on the way to his fifty, which gave some relief to the dressing room. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs Sri Lanka 2016 1st Test, Day 1 at Headingley, Leeds
Bairstow’s stay at the crease wasn’t easy, as he survived two lbw shouts through DRS referral. First up, he was adjudged Out by Rod Tucker of Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews’ bowling. But he chose to use DRS, and it proved to be the right call as the ball was found missing the leg stump. The next incident took place when Lankans used DRS, after Aleem Dar gave Bairstow not out of Rangana Herath’s bowling. Again the ball was found missing the leg-stump, much to the delight of English crowd.
Early on, openers Alastair Cook and Alex Hales fought under cloudy conditions as England did not lose wickets till 20 overs. But with the score at 49 for no loss, they lost their first wicket as Shanaka removed Cook for 16, denying him the chance to reach the landmark 10,000 runs. Soon, Shanaka got his second and third wickets as he removed Nick Compton and Joe Root in quick time, which left England wanting at 51 for 3. The hosts somehow survived till lunch without losing another wicket, as Hales and Vince just about lived with the conditions.
Brief Scores:
England 171 for 5 (Hales 71*, Bairstow 54*, Shanaka 3 for 30) vs Sri Lanka
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs Sri Lanka 2016 1st Test, Day 1 at Headingley, Leeds
