Pradeep double rocks England in first Test

LONDON, June 12 (AFP): Nuwan Pradeep struck twice as a revamped England struggled against Sri Lanka on the opening morning of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday.
England, after losing the toss, were 98 for three at lunch in their first Test since suffering a 281-run defeat by Australia in Sydney that condemned them to a 5-0 Ashes series loss in January.
Pradeep had done the bulk of the damage with two wickets for 35 runs in nine overs.
England were left looking to Ian Bell to dig them out of a hole, with the experienced batsman 41 not out in his 99th Test. Joe Root was unbeaten on six.
Although the sunny blue skies above Lord's suggested ideal batting conditions, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews elected to field first on a greener-looking than usual Lord's pitch.
Mathews's decision yielded a quick reward as England lost both their openers inside the first half hour.
Australia-born Sam Robson, one of three debutants in the England side and playing on his Middlesex home ground, fell for one when he was drawn forward by a full-length Pradeep delivery that took the outside edge and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, diving to his right, held a fine catch.
And 14 for one became 22 for two when England captain Alastair Cook exited for 17, the left-hander bottom-edging an intended cut off Nuwan Kulasekara into his stumps.
England 1st Innings
A Cook b Kulasekara     17
S Robson 1, G Ballance
23, I Bell not out     41
J Root not out     6
Extras: (b3, lb5, nb2)     10
Total: (3 wkts, 25 overs, 122 mins) 98