Atapattu anchors Lanka on day 1

Marvan Atapattu played the perfect anchor role with an unbeaten 85 as Sri Lanka built the foundations of a match-winning total against England on the opening day of the first Test on Thursday.

With Kumar Sangakkara (58) and Aravinda de Silva (56 not out) as his main allies, Atapattu guided Sri Lanka to 221 for two at the close.

After his side won the toss on a slow, dusty pitch expected to turn significantly as the match progresses, Atapattu put on 92 for the second wicket with Sangakkara and added 111 in an unbroken third wicket stand with de Silva.

Atapattu, showing great concentration and resolve, has faced 286 balls and hit eight fours while Sangakkara stroked his runs off 125 deliveries and the veteran de Silva, who narrowly survived a run out on 47, hit six fours and one six in 120 balls.

England's bowlers persevered but were rewarded only with a wicket in each of the first two sessions, Darren Gough removing Sanath Jayasuriya for 14 and off-spinner Robert Croft dismissing Sangakkara, both to catches by Craig White.

Images from the match

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka (1st innings):
Marvan Atapattu not out 85
Sanath Jayasuriya c White b Gough 14
Kumar Sangakkara c White b Croft 58
Aravinda Da Silva not out 56
Extras (LB-1, NB-7) 8
Total (for two wickets) 221
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-110
To bat: Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Tuwan Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena.
Bowling: Gough 15-3-59-1 (nb3), Caddick 16-10-13-0 (nb2), White 16-4-45-0 (nb2), Giles 23-4-54-0, Croft 16-5-41-1, Hick 4-0-8-0

England: Michael Atherton, Marcus Trescothick, Nasser Hussain (captain), Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart, Graeme Hick, Craig White, Ashley Giles, Robert Croft, Andy Caddick, Darren Gough.

Mail Cricket Editor