Lankans take lead
Thursday, 6 December 2007
England fell to an agonising defeat as Sri Lanka secured an 88-run victory with only 25 minutes of play left in a dramatic first Test in Kandy Thursday, reports BBC.
The tourists slumped to 139-6 soon after lunch before Ian Bell (74) and Matt Prior (63) put on 109 in a stand that frustrated the hosts for 44 overs.
But Muttiah Muralitharan bowled both in consecutive overs after tea and quickly snapped up Ryan Sidebottom.
Lasith Malinga then wrapped up the win by dismissing Matthew Hoggard.
Scorecard
Sri Lanka 1st innings:: 188
England 1st innings: 281
Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 442-8 decl
England 2nd innings (overnight 9-1)
A. Cook c Silva b Vaas 4
M. Vaughan c P. Jayawardene b Vaas 5
J. Anderson b Vaas 11
I. Bell b Muralitharan 74
K. Pietersen b Fernando 18
P. Collingwood c Sangakkara b Fernando 16
R. Bopara lbw b Jayasuriya 34
M. Prior b Muralitharan 63
R. Sidebottom lbw b Muralitharan 1
M. Hoggard b Malinga 8
M. Panesar not out 2
Extras: (b5, lb9, nb11) 25
Total : 261
The tourists slumped to 139-6 soon after lunch before Ian Bell (74) and Matt Prior (63) put on 109 in a stand that frustrated the hosts for 44 overs.
But Muttiah Muralitharan bowled both in consecutive overs after tea and quickly snapped up Ryan Sidebottom.
Lasith Malinga then wrapped up the win by dismissing Matthew Hoggard.
Scorecard
Sri Lanka 1st innings:: 188
England 1st innings: 281
Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 442-8 decl
England 2nd innings (overnight 9-1)
A. Cook c Silva b Vaas 4
M. Vaughan c P. Jayawardene b Vaas 5
J. Anderson b Vaas 11
I. Bell b Muralitharan 74
K. Pietersen b Fernando 18
P. Collingwood c Sangakkara b Fernando 16
R. Bopara lbw b Jayasuriya 34
M. Prior b Muralitharan 63
R. Sidebottom lbw b Muralitharan 1
M. Hoggard b Malinga 8
M. Panesar not out 2
Extras: (b5, lb9, nb11) 25
Total : 261