Like the first test, the openers did not click in the second test for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka really looked cramped for runs and quite disheartened when it lost three of its batsmen for mere 30.
England today had made two changes: Steve Finn and Tim Bresnan had been inducted to replace Monty Panesar and the injured Stuart Broad.
Having won the toss Tuesday morning, the hosts decided to bat but met a disaster when England's James Anderson struck with his full might and sent back three of Sri Lanka's stalwarts for paltry 30 runs. Dilshan was first to fall prey to Anderson when the total score was 21, followed by Sangakkara when the score was still 21 and then Thirimanne marched off to pavilion at 30. It was captain Mahela Jayawardene who stood firmly on the crease and scored his second century, as he did in the first test (he scored mighty 180), and took the score to 238 for 6. Jayawardene was lbw by Graeme Swannwhen he had just scored his century and was playing at 105.
At the close of the play today, Angelo Mathews, 41, and Suraj Randiv, 5 were on the field when the bails were put off for the day.
The event to mention for the day was the DRS appeal against Samaraweera when he was at 34. The ball by Andy Flower was a catch at short leg but umpire Asad Rauf did not raise his finger. The DRS appeal took a long time with repeated replays as we saw on TV and ultimately Rauf's decision was upheld by the third umpire Rod Tucker and the match continued, much to the dislike of Flower.
England is struggling to win the second test, as otherwise it will be difficult for them to hold their top position as World Number One, which has already been severely dented by Pakistan's 3-0 win test series against them. If England loses, it will largely benefit South Africa which will take the top position in the world ranking.
well then, this is all for today - we wait and see whether England succeeds in early packing-off of the remaining Sri Lanka batsmen Wednesday and take command of the game or otherwise.
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