Related Links : England’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2011/12 : Scorecard of Sri Lanka Vs England, 1st Test at Galle International Stadium, Galle
Hosts Sri Lanka pulled off a 75-run win in the opening Test Match of the Just Retirement Series against England at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday. The Test match was over just after Tea on Day 4 as England collapsed to 264 all out chasing a target of 340 on a turning pitch. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath destroyed England in both the innings taking a match tally of 12 for 171.
Mahela Jayawardene superb 180 rescues Sri Lanka
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka were in huge trouble at 67 for 4 but went onto score 318 thanks to a superb 180 (from 315 balls with 22 fours and 3 sixes) by Skipper Mahela Jayawardene. James Anderson took 5 for 72 for the visitors.
Rangana Herath spins Sri Lanka to 125-run lead in first innings
In reply to Sri Lanka’s 318, England got bowled on the second day itself for 193 in just 46.4 overs to concede a first innings lead of 125 runs! Ian Bell was the top scorer with 52 (from 87 balls with 8 fours and a six). Rangana Herath claimed 6 for 74 in 19 overs for the homeside. As many as 17 wickets fell down on the second day with Sri Lanka ending at a disastrous 84 for 5 in their second innings.
Sri Lanka leave England with a difficult target of 340
A handy unbeaten knock of 61 (from 123 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes) by Wicket Keeper Prasanna Jayawardene seemed to take the game away from England as Sri Lanka put up 214 all out in their second innings on Day 3. Graeme Swann bowled well for the visitors taking 6 for 82. England now left with a difficult target of 340 ended Day 3 at a solid looking 111 for 2 with Jonathan Trott on 40*.
Herath, Randiv bowl Sri Lanka to 75-run win
The fourth day saw England threaten to pull off a victory with Jonathan Trott (112 from 266 balls with 10 fours) scoring his 7th Test Century while putting up a beautiful partnership with Matt Piror (41). However, just before Tea, both these batsmen got dismissed to bring Sri Lanka back in the contest. Spinners Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv then wrapped up the English innings without much fuss. Herath claimed six wickets again while Suraj Randiv got 4 wickets.