Yorkshire duo put England in charge with partnership
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 bowling out their hosts for just 135 amid a flurry of loose strokes then finishing just a couple of well-timed shots from parity on 127-2.
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 3-20 on a pitch known as something of a seamer’s graveyard, while Dom Bess leveraged a healthy dose of good fortune to bank career-best figures of 5-30.
Yorkshire duo Joe Root (66 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (47no) then forged an unbroken stand of 110 to crank up the scoreboard 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 said.
“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 wicket-taker 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.
Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga both botched reverse sweeps to Bess, Niroshan Dickwella fed a long hop straight to Dom Sibley at point and Dasun Shanaka found himself caught behind after his sweep rebounded off Bairstow’s ankle at short leg.
Only Bess’ fourth wicket was one for his cut-and-keep collection, Dilruwan Perera deceived off the pitch and through the air, but he made no apologies for cashing in.
“I probably haven’t bowled as well as I could have, and I got away with one or two but that’s cricket,” he said.
“You’re going to bowl good balls that go out the park or get dropped, so take it when it comes.”