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Late strikes
rattle England in second Sri Lanka Test
COLOMBO—Sri Lanka grabbed four wickets in the final session to halt
England’s confident start in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports
Club here on Sunday.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga took two wickets off successive balls as
England, electing to take first strike in good batting conditions,
slumped from 168-1 to 258-5 by close of the opening day’s play.
Paul Collingwood was the last recognised batsman at the crease on 49
while wicket-keeper Matthew Prior was on 10 when play was called off
three overs early due to bad light.
Skipper Michael Vaughan hit 87 and opening partner Alastair Cook made 81
to give the tourists an early boost after they lost the first Test in
Kandy. But three unfortunate dismissals — before and after the
appearance of a male streaker in the last session — set England back by
the end of an eventful day’s cricket.
Vaughan and Cook put on 133 for the first wicket, England’s first
opening century stand since the Headingley Test against Pakistan in 2006
— 15 Tests ago. Vaughan, timing the ball superbly and looking set for
his 18th century, fell against the run of play to give Sri Lanka a
timely break midway through the afternoon session.
The batsman flicked Muttiah Muralitharan hard but the ball lodged
between the knees of short-leg fielder Jehan Mubarak, who fell backwards
by the impact but ensured the ball did not hit the ground. Vaughan, who
had cut the previous delivery for his 12th boundary, stood in disbelief
at the crease for a brief while before walking off.
Mubarak caught Ian Bell neatly off the same bowler in the second over
after tea, but controversy erupted when Kevin Pietersen (one) was given
out by Australian umpire Daryl Harper. Pietersen edged Chaminda Vaas to
second slip where Chamara Silva dived to scoop the ball off the turf and
Kumar Sangakkara at first slip took the rebound.
Harper consulted with his square-leg colleague Aleem Dar before ruling
the batsman out without seeking the help of television replays, which
showed the ball hit the ground before Silva scooped it up. Pietersen,
who saw the replay on the giant screen, stopped near the boundary line
to see if the umpires would reverse their decision, but Harper once
again raised his finger.—Agencies |
