Niroshan Dickwella’s resistance frustrates England after early Jimmy Anderson breakthrough

England took two early wickets on the second morning in Galle before encountering resistance led by Niroshan Dickwella as Sri Lanka fought back.

Sri Lanka resumed on 229 for four but lost the centurion Angelo Mathews in the second over of the day as Jimmy Anderson continued his relentless display.

It required a slightly speculative review to prise out Mathews for 110. Mathews played forward to Anderson, and the ball struck his pad, just outside the line of off-stump. But the review revealed an inside edge, which carried off the pad through to Jos Buttler. Mathews had added just three to his overnight score.

A couple of overs later, Mark Wood had the debutant Jeevan Mendis caught brilliantly down the legside by the diving Jos Buttler, giving England the perfect start to the day.

But from 243 for six, Sri Lanka recovered to reach lunch on 313 for six, with Dickwella playing a typically enterprising innings full of crisp drives. He was joined by Dilruwan Perera, who was not afraid to take the spinners on.

While Anderson and Wood were terrific, England’s spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach lacked threat on a flat pitch.

Anderson ended his fifth spell with innings figures of 23-12-29-4.