Anderson puts England in charge

James Anderson
26 March 2012

James Anderson became the sixth player to take 250 Test wickets for England as they enjoyed a fine start to the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Anderson got the ball rolling for the tourists when he dismissed opener Lahiru Thirimanne and followed up by sending back Kumar Sangakkara with the next delivery.

Anderson also effected a fortunate run out, while there was a debut wicket for all-rounder Samit Patel, chosen ahead of Ravi Bopara as England added a third spinner to their ranks. At tea Sri Lanka were 168 for five with Mahela Jayawardene, a man with over 2,000 Test runs in Galle, unbeaten on 80.

Anderson saw off Thirimanne with his eighth ball - moments after a close call - as he sent a thick edge to Graeme Swann at second slip.

The wicket brought up Anderson's landmark and he celebrated in stunning fashion by dismissing Sangakkara for a golden duck. Sangakkara fenced at one he could have left, feeding wicketkeeper Matt Prior the simplest of catches.

Sri Lanka, fresh from the Asia Cup, were still in one-day mode, with Tillakaratne Dilshan flashing hard outside off stump for two streaky boundaries and he was next to go, for 11, nicking Stuart Broad to Andrew Strauss at first slip.

With four overs gone, England were sensing blood with the score at 15 for three but Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera proved more difficult to tempt.

Sri Lanka inched to 66 for three at the break, leaving plenty more hard work to do but with the ball getting older and the pitch flatter, England needed a slice of fortune to get their fourth wicket. Anderson was again the man to provide it as he got a fingertip to Jayawardene's straight drive, leaving Samaraweera run out for 20 at the non-striker's end.

Jayawardene drove a Monty Panesar full toss for four to reach a hard-earned 50 but England were able to strike at the other end.

Strauss shuffled his trio of spinners as Anderson and Broad rested and it was the most junior, Patel, who claimed the wicket. Chandimal, having compiled a lively 27, went for one big shot too many and miscued the ball to Bell at cover to give Patel a first Test scalp.

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