England v Sri Lanka - 1st Test - 1st Day's summary
After months of debate on the epic clash between England and the 2011 World Cup runners-up, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, it was finally time for the two teams to face each other in the first Test of a three-match series at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
After winning the toss, the debutant captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tillakaratne-Mudiyanselage-Dilshan-c93947, elected to bat first, aiming to score as many runs on the first day.
However, the day was marred by some heavy rain and after a long delay, rain finally ceased and the covers came off, and on went the game.
Nonetheless, the Lankan openers, Dilshan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nishad-Tharanga-Paranavitana-c79696, disregarded the weather and wreaked havoc on the hosts by making an early charge as both the batsmen displayed some fine batting techniques against the bowling arsenal of Andrew Strauss-led
England.
The English tour which holds great importance for Dilshan to mum his critics, who questioned his capabilities to lead the Asian side, is a personal test of the batsmen’s wits.
However, without hint of any pressure, the 34-year-old Dilshan, stood defiant against the spin and pace attack that was thrown at him.
After mocking the English bowlers by smacking them at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Peter-Willey-c81951, the opening partnership was finally broken after putting up 93 runs on the board.
It was Dilshan, who after playing a captain’s knock of 50 runs, was deceived by a superb delivery bowled by the English spin sensation, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501.
Dilshan, who is a run scoring machine in the shorter versions of the game, exhibited the traits of an experienced Test batsman by facing 94 deliveries and picking on the right ones to score from.
He showed everyone how to adapt from a Twenty20/One-Day format to the five-day game. The argument that he was more suited for the limited overs game was put to rest by this innings.
Later in the day, the former skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Clayton-Anderson-c65552.
Initially the appeal was turned down by umpire http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Aleem-Sarwar-Dar-c43094, however, Strauss decided to go for a review and the decision was changed by the umpire, after replays showed that the batsman had indeed made contact with the ball.
Cheers of joy ran across the field as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Denagamage-Proboth-Mahela-de-Silva-Jayawardene-c53546 to halt the tourists on a small total.
Nonetheless, rain struck again and before the English bowlers could have a good look at Jayawardene, the play was suspended.
At the end of the day, opener Tharanga was on 58 after middling 154 deliveries, while the veteran middle-order batsman, Jayawardene, was on four runs after facing 24 deliveries.
With two wickets down, the Lankans, have scored 133 runs and if they play according to the pitch, they should be able to score a mammoth total at the end of the second day, provided there are no more interruptions because of bad weather.
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