England in dominant form as they best Sri Lanka

STUART Broad claimed England were in “dream world” after dominating the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka with bat and ball.

Things could barely have gone better in Galle, with the tourists rounding up their hosts for just 135 amid a flurry of loose strokes then finishing just a couple of well-timed shots from parity on 127 for two.

For a team who have struggled to shake off a reputation as slow starters in the red-ball format, it was a thoroughly-commanding performance built around a handful of standout performances.

One belonged to Broad, who set the tone with three for 20 on a pitch known as something of a seamer’s graveyard, while Dom Bess banked career-best figures of five for 30.

Joe Root (66 not out) and Jonny

Bairstow (47no) then forged an unbroken stand of 110 to crank up the pressure to a point that leaves England with all the cards.

“It was an absolute dream-world day for us, it’s a nine out of 10 day,” Broad told Sky Sports at the close.

“You don’t get days much better than these in the subcontinent.”

“Bowling a team out cheaply and getting close to them two down is fantastic.”

Broad had been handed the responsibility of leading the attack after the country’s record wickettaker James Anderson was left out and responded in style, taking out Lahiru Thirimanne and Kusal Mendis with the new ball and key man Angelo Mathews at the start of his second spell.

Bess eventually bested his efforts in the book but was happy to admit he needed some luck.