Foakes gets his side out of a hole

– Debutant Ben Foakes hit a defiant and unbeaten 87, guiding England to safety – after Sri Lanka claimed cheap early wickets – on 321/8 at the end of the first day of the first Test yesterday.

The Surrey wicketkeeper/ batsman, who knows this is a one-off chance as Jonny Bairstow regains his fitness, came in with England precariously placed on 103/5 on a Galle pitch notorious for low scores.

Foakes built crucial partnerships including an 88-run seventh wicket stand with Sam Curran, who made 48, to defy Sri Lanka’s bowlers.

England elected to bat first in what was spin legend Rangana Herath’s farewell. –

Galle