Angelo Mathews half-century holds up England’s bid for first Test victory

England were hoping to set up a modest chase on day four of the first Test in Galle after finally curbing a steadfast fightback from Sri Lanka.
Lahiru Thirimanne’s knock of 111 – his first century in more than seven years – set the tone as the hosts continued to chip away at the lofty first-innings lead of 286 and, when they eventually took the lead late in the afternoon session, things were beginning to look uncomfortably tight.
A strong end to the session.
Scorecard: https://t.co/AYxQkq4zPH#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/kCEfDHGCmM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 17, 2021
At 291 for five Sri Lanka were five ahead with five wickets in hand and two set batsman in Angelo Mathews (51no) and Niroshan Dickwella. But two wickets in eight balls – Dom Bess taking Dickwella’s outside edge and Jack Leach cleaning up Dasun Shanaka – reset the tone. At tea the home side were looking considerably more fragile, just 16 in front on 302 for seven.
Neither of England’s spinners had been quite up to scratch, underwhelming on a turning pitch for the second day in a row, but by striking together just at the moment when the game was threatening to pivot away they had made a significant contribution to the cause.
Sam Curran also made an important intervention, ending Thirimanne’s lengthy resistance with the second new ball.
Latest
-
News
Joe Root invites ICC to make own judgement on Ahmedabad pitch
England were beaten by 10 wickets to go 2-1 down in the series.
-
News
It was nice to bat on – Rohit Sharma defends pitch after India seal two-day win
The hosts thrashed England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Charlotte Edwards elected as first female president of the PCA
The former England captain takes over from Graham Gooch at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
-
News
Joe Root refuses to blame pitch for England’s quickfire defeat in Ahmedabad
It was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled.
-
News
7 Tests with the most premature endings since 2000
A turning wicket caused chaos for batsmen on both sides as England’s first-innings collapse for 112 set the tone.
-
News
Pundits criticise pitch and England selection policy after heavy defeat to India
There were 17 wickets inside two sessions on the second day of the Test as Joe Root’s side suffered defeat.
-
News
India v England, Day 2: The hosts put Joe Root’s side in a spin
England slipped 2-1 down in the series.
-
News
England slump to two-day Test defeat against India in Ahmedabad
Spinner Axar Patel took five for 32 to finish with a match haul of 11 wickets.
-
News
England on course for defeat inside two days after collapse against spin
England were bowled out for 81.
-
News
Warwickshire bolster batting with signing of Pieter Malan
Paul Frabrace hopes Pieter Malan will help mentor Warwickshire’s young batsmen.