By Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Galle
England wrapped up a 211 run victory comfortably on the fourth day against Sri Lanka, with Moeen the standout, claiming four wickets. They struck regularly throughout the day, and though Sri Lanka’s batting performance was an improvement on their first innings effort, England were never unduly troubled.
Coming into day four with 462 runs to score for victory, Sri Lankan batsmen never looked focused for the long innings but contribute in double figures to collect a 250 runs.
In his last appearance in international cricket, in walked Rangana Herath at a very troubled hour for the team. His stay was almost a short one, but he was reprieved on review, having been given out well caught down the leg side by Ben Foakes. It was eventually the debutant who accounted for Herath, a good pick-up running him out by a frame.
Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hathurusinghe was of the view that his cricket team failed to capitalise on the early chances to impose pressure on the English batters allowing them to pose a good total in the first innings. “When we got early five wickets on the England first innings we could have good chance to bowled out them cheaply.” said coach Haturusinghe that failure to bowl them out cheaply was the main turning point of this first test.
Apart from the failure from the bowlers to contain the English batters, Sri Lankan batsmen flawed in their batting to get bowled out cheaply. “Our batting is ak ey problem for us. I think we should have score big total on the first innings.” explained Haturusinghe.
Sri Lankan coach hopes, like in the West Indies tour where Sri Lanka came from behind to beat the caribbeans in the next two matches, Sri Lankan team will come good in the next two games to pose a challenge.
The second Test starts on Wednesday 14 September.
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