Late wickets from Finn and Swann provide the initiative for England on day one.

Two wickets late in the day seized the initiative for England after Mahela Jayawardene had scored a second century in as many games on Day One of the Second Test. James Anderson blew the Sri Lankan top order away with three wickets in his first five overs leaving the hosts reeling on 30 – 3.  However just like in the first test, the Sri Lankan captain along with Thilan Samaraweera (54) in a patient 124 – run stand, fought back in Colombo.  But Graeme Swann dismissed the centurion for a fantastic 105 before Steven Finn had Prasanna Jayawardene caught behind for 7 leaving the hosts 236 – 6 at the close of play.

The run up to the match was heavily overshadowed by England’s disappointing performance in the previous test, adding to the frustrating winter they have experienced and with captain Andrew Strauss’s position under immense scrutiny. A win in this final match would see England remain at the summit of the ICC test rankings, however another defeat would present South Africa with the title of best test team in the world.

The day commenced with surprising news from the visitors with the introduction of Tim Bresnan, replacing the spin of Monty Panasar. Many thought with Stuart Broad absent because of injury, Bresnan would be a straight swap with the Nottinghamshire bowler. However young Steven Finn came in for Broad and Panasar was replaced with the Yorkshire quick.       

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat on a seemingly decent pitch, offering a little for the bowlers but nothing troublesome that would worry a batsman playing with decent technique, patience and concentration. However Sri Lanka`s top order was met by England’s spearhead, Anderson who once again produced world class swing bowling, pitching the new ball up and finding movement both ways through the air. Firstly Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had driven consecutive fours off Anderson, fell next ball, nicking behind to Matt Prior to a ball that moved away. Kumar Sangakkara was next man to go for a golden duck, edging to Strauss and continuing his miserable form in the series. Anderson’s explosive burst then accounted for Lahiru Thirimanne, lbw for eight leaving the hosts struggling.    

Once again it was left to Jayawardene to mastermind another re – building operation, accompanied with the gritty Samaraweera in support. The two experienced batsmen accumulated runs well and produced a fighting partnership, building a sizeable first innings total.  Both batsmen ploughed on until just before the tea interval when Bresnan made the important breakthrough. The quick bowler managed to get one to drag back and trapped Samaraweera lbw just after he had completed his 28^th half-century in tests.

England was agonisingly close to striking again with the ever-impressive Anderson drawing an outside edge off Jayawardene when on 79, but the catch eluded Strauss at slip. England deserved more with tight and accurate bowling but Sri Lanka`s captain continued in an imperious knock and brought up his 31^st test hundred and his 8^th against England with a quick single. It was a classic example of master class batting with the Sri Lankan captain remaining patient, calm and disciplined throughout his five-hour innings. 

However the visitor’s commitment to the task in hand finally yielded with two late strikes as Swann eventually removed Jayawardene, trapping him lbw, coming from around the wicket.  The dismissal of the in form batsman breathed greater energy amongst the England players and with the added buoyancy another wicket swiftly came. Steven Finn, full of sharp pace and accuracy forced Prasanna Jayawardene to edge behind to Prior for just seven, leaving England on top after day one.

England will now be looking to finish off the rest of the Sri Lankan batting line up early tomorrow with only Angelo Mathews, unbeaten on 41, the only recognised batsmen left. However with the frailties of England’s batting over the course of the winter still fresh after the performance in the last game, a decent first innings total by the hosts could still turn the game around in their favour.