Hales and Bairstow lead England recovery

Half-centurions Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow carried England to 171 for five on day one of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday.
Rain allowed for just 53 overs, as the right-handed duo ensured the hosts recovered from the three early wickets delivered by debutant Dasan Shanaka.
Hales moved to 71 not out and Bairstow an unbeaten 54, across an unbroken partnership of 88, but not before seamer Shanaka had initially justified captain Angelo Mathews' decision to bowl first after winning the toss.
Effectively selected ahead of the injured Dhammika Prasad, the 24-year-old right-armer completed fine figures of three for 30 in nine overs – including the key scalp of Alastair Cook.
Needing 36 runs to become the 12th cricketer – and first Englishman – to reach 10,000 Test runs, the left-handed Cook perished for 16. The South African-born Nick Compton and in-form Joe Root, meanwhile, each fell for a duck.
Debutant James Vince, who ostensibly gained selection ahead of the recently-retired James Taylor, was out for just nine – and all-rounder Ben Stokes departed for a dozen.
The home side's playing XI was largely as expected, with fast bowler Steven Finn chosen ahead of rookie Jake Ball.
Latest
-
News
Elgar relieved Proteas on top despite ‘very very under par’ total
South Africa opener Dean Elgar was relieved the Proteas find themselves in a good position in the first Test against Pakistan.
-
News
Rotation, rotation, rotation – Chris Silverwood stands by selection policy
England will continue resting players this winter in a bid to combat challenging Covid restrictions.
-
News
Rahane happy to fill in for Kohli, but ‘Virat is the captain’
Ajinkya Rahane impressed when he skippered India to a dramatic 2-1 series win against Australia earlier this month.
-
News
England spinner Jack Leach extends Somerset stay
The news comes days after Leach helped England secure a Test series win in Sri Lanka.
-
News
Q & A: How will Joe Root’s England fare against Virat Kohli’s India?
Having beaten Sri Lanka, the tourists face a step up in quality with a four-Test trip to India.
-
News
A closer look as England claim fifth-successive overseas Test victory
The last time England achieved such a sequence was when they came from behind to defeat Australia 4-1 in the 1912-13 Ashes.
-
News
The stats that show Joe Root is on track to become England’s record Test run-scorer
The captain is now up to fourth on England’s all-time list
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 4: England sweep series with devastating display
Joe Root’s side had spent most of the first three days chasing the game in this second Test but made their move emphatically on Monday.
-
News
Joe Root urges England to ‘stay hungry’ after clinching Sri Lanka series win
The England captain wants his players to carry the form into the India series.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.