England grab dramatic victory over Sri Lanka
May 30, 2011 10:41 pm
England dismissed Sri Lanka for 82 in their second innings on Monday to snatch a dramatic innings and 14-run victory after the rain-interrupted first test appeared doomed to end in a draw.
Sri Lanka collapsed against the bowling of Chris Tremlett and Graeme Swann after England had declared their first innings closed at 496 for five, a lead of 96.
Fast bowler Chris Tremlett captured four for 40 and off-spinner Graeme Swann took four for 16 to give England victory by an innings and 14 runs.
After play had started four hours late, Andrew Strauss declared England’s innings closed at 496 for five immediately after Ian Bell (103 not out) had reached his 13th Test century.
Tremlett, one of only three specialist England bowlers after James Anderson suffered a side strain in Sri Lanka’s first innings, struck twice before the tea interval.
He claimed the wickets of openers Tharanga Paranavitana (0) and skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (10).
Ably supported by Swann, Tremlett dismissed Mahela Jayawardene (15) and his namesake Prasanna Jayawardene (3) after the interval.
Four of the five days in the match were affected by rain. The second Test in the three-match series starts at Lord’s on Friday.
