Friday, 20 June 2014

Plunkett and Broad strike against Sri Lanka





LEEDS: Liam Plunkett took his Test-best figures and Stuart Broad his second Test hat-trick as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 257 by England on the first day of the second Test at Headingley on Friday.

England at stumps were 36 without loss. Alastair Cook, the England captain, was 14 not out and Australia-born opener Sam Robson 21 not out.

England, who had seen Cook win the toss and opt to field first in overcast conditions were clearly confident of inflicting a fresh collapse upon Sri Lanka having come within one wicket of victory after dismissing nine of the tourists´ batsmen on the last day at Lord´s. But England´s early good work threatened to be undone by Sri Lanka star batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who was given four reprieves on the way to top-scoring with 79.

Sangakkara eventually exited when he square-drove at Broad and Ian Bell, in his 100th Test, held an excellent catch in the gully.

Sangakkkara batted for just over three-and-a-half hours, facing 147 balls with 13 fours.

His departure was the start of a rapid collapse that saw four wickets lost for one run in nine balls.

Plunkett, who had already performed impressively Friday then had Dhammika Prasad caught behind for a duck.

Broad returned next over and ended an enterprising knock from Chandimal, playing in place of injured wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, when he was caught by Cook at first slip.

Broad then had his hat-trick when tailender Eranga was caught behind although neither the bowler nor his England team-mates were aware of his feat until an announcement was made over the public address system.

Plunkett, appropriately, ended the innings when he had Nuwan Pradeep, who´d frustrated England at Lord´s by holding out for the final five balls of the match, caught behind.

The 29-year-old former Durham paceman surpassed his previous Test-best of three for 17, also against Sri Lanka, in Birmingham in 2006.

Sri Lanka thought they had Cook caught at slip by Sangakkara on five but, with replays inconclusive, the left-hander survived. There was further drama before stumps when play was briefly held up after a piece of cheese was thrown from among the crowd in the Western Stand at Eranga.(AFP)

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