SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Man Utd vs. Rangers: 5 hrs 45 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Foakes leads England recovery in first Test against Sri Lanka

:Headline: Foakes leads England recovery in first Test against Sri Lanka: ID:340733: from db_amp
The debutant made an unbeaten 49 out of a tea total of 199 for six in Galle.

Debutant Ben Foakes helped England recover from a dire morning session in the first Test against Sri Lanka, with the tourists 199 for six at tea.

England opted to bat first at Galle but soon found themselves frittering away top order wickets and reached lunch in some strife on 113 for five.

By then Surrey wicketkeeper Foakes had arrived at the crease and he batted with supreme composure throughout the afternoon session, displaying a sound defensive technique and a clarity of thought absent from some of his more experienced colleagues.

Foakes took tea at 49 not out from 104 balls, a chanceless knock in difficult circumstances and one that may earn him an extended run in the side, even before he gets the chance to show off his glovework.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had taken control by preying on several unforced errors. Foakes’ fellow debutant and county captain Rory Burns was first to fall in the third over, strangled down the leg side by Suranga Lakmal.

Moeen Ali’s latest trial at number three was his briefest yet, and possibly his last, clean bowled for a golden duck off Lakmal’s next delivery.

Keaton Jennings and Joe Root briefly steadied the ship as they posted a 62-run stand – the former offering chances on 12 and 26 – but neither kicked on.

Jennings eventually fell for a hard-working 46, bowled by Dilruwan Perera attempting a backfoot cut.

Root looked much more fluent for 35 until misguidedly charging retiring local hero Rangana Herath, misreading the length and yorking himself. Fireworks were duly released above the Galle Fort to toast the 40-year-old’s 100th wicket at the venue.

Ben Stokes was one of five England wickets to fall in the morning session (Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

Ben Stokes completed a miserable session when lunged to sweep Perera, leaving his stumps exposed as he failed to make contact.

Jos Buttler and Foakes added some much-needed steel to halt the Sri Lankan charge after lunch. Together they brought the Test match rhythm back, restoring order until Buttler nicked Perera behind to depart for 38.

amp_article__340733 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-11-06 09:36:14:
html db last update - 2018-11-06 09:36:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about England Sri Lanka Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal22128243212244
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest22135433221144
4Chelsea22117444271740
5Manchester CityMan City22115644291538
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
7Bournemouth22107536261037
8Aston Villa2210663334-136
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2281043530534
10Fulham228953430433
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2275102732-526
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs22731245351024
16Everton214891828-1020
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2244143251-1916
18Ipswich TownIpswich2237122043-2316
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2213181550-356
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .