Angelo Mathews hammers 11th Test ton, Sri Lanka in command over the visitors

SL vs ENG 2nd Test: Sri Lanka veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews slams his 11th Test hundred against England in the second Test played at Galle. Sri Lanka are in a commanding position on an opening day on the back of Mathews and Chandimal's steller 119-run stand for the fourth wicket. This is an exemplary knock from Lankan one of the greatest white-ball cricketers and it came at the right time for the Lankas as they needed it badly from the beginning of the series. The hosts are 229/4 in the last session of the opening day against England here at the home ground.

Mathews is unbeaten on 107* whereas Dickwella also supported his teammate reasonably well from another end. The 33-year-old rookie batsman firstly put a decent 69-run stand with opener Lahiru Thirimanne and then another 100-plus with the Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who departs soon after played a captain's knock (52).

Also Read: Thirimanne & Mathews keep Lankans in check after losing early wickets

Credit goes to Mathews as this means a lot to the right-hander as well as massively important in the context of where Sri Lanka stands at the moment. But quite a muted celebration from the dugout as he knew very well that it's not enough for his team especially against the top-quality English side.

Angelo Mathews brings up his 11th International Test 100, an exemplary knock from when his country needed it the most. #SlvsENG2021 pic.twitter.com/ULFEWMQL4o

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 22, 2021

Earlier, England's ruthless pacer Jimmy Anderson has made crucial inroads upfront. Opted to bat, Sri Lanka made an ordinary start. Kusal Perera, survived a close LBW shout off Curran before he chased an away-swinger from Jimmy Anderson and was caught by Joe Root in the slip cordon. Fernando then inside-edged an outswinger in the same over onto the stumps.