DREAM DAY AS HOSTS FALL LIKE DOMINOES
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 the Sri Lanka batting order 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 display 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 leveraged a healthy dose of good fortune to bank 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 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 ten day,’ Broad said.
‘You don’t get days much better than these in the sub-continent. 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 England’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. Bess eventually bested his efforts in the book but was happy to admit he needed some luck along the way. Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga both botched reverse sweeps, Niroshan Dickwella fed a long hop straight to Dom Sibley and Dasun Shanaka was 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 the spinner 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,’ Bess said.
‘You’re going to bowl good balls that go out the park or get dropped, so take it when it comes for sure. It was a proud moment because I’ve taken five wickets for England and no one can take it away from me.’
The bowlers’ work could have gone to waste had England’s top order folded in similar fashion but after Sibley and Zak Crawley fell cheaply, the response was impressive.