Sri Lanka struggles in final test

Friday, 17 June 2011 01:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kumar, Mahela out cheaply

Reuters - Sri Lanka slumped to 66 for 4 on the first day of the third test against England on Thursday with James Anderson claiming two wickets on his return and Chris Tremlett an equal number.

Kumar Sangakkara shows his frustration after edging behind, England v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, needing a win to draw the series, lost Lahiru Thirimanne (10) on the stroke of lunch. Tharanga Piranavitana (11) and stand-in captain Kumar Sangakkara (2) and Mahela Jayawardena (4) soon followed.

Thilan Samaraweera was not out 18 and Prasanna Jayawardena was not out 4 at the time this edition went to press.

Chris Tremlett, who formerly played at The Rose Bowl in domestic cricket, trapped Piranavitana lbw with a pitched-up delivery that struck him on his back pad and the Sri Lankan did not bother to review the decision.

Sangakkara, who averages in the mid-fifties in tests, chased a wide ball from Anderson and edged to wicketkeeper Matt Prior. His anger with himself was evident as he smashed his bat into the ground.

Thirimanne, playing instead of injured captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, had survived for almost an hour before he played a loose shot outside his off stump and edged a catch to Andrew Strauss at first slip.

It has so far been a successful comeback for test cricket's third-ranked bowler Anderson after he sustained a side strain at Cardiff and subsequently missed the drawn second test at Lord's. He had figures of two for 12 off nine overs. Tremlett got Mahela caught by Matt Prior.

England won the toss after rain had saturated the outfield and delayed the start for 75 minutes.