SL vs ENG 1st Test Highlights: England takes control after Lankans bundled for a paltry, ENG 127/2 at Stumps

SL vs ENG 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Day 1: Stumps - England trail by 8 runs

Brief Score: SL - 135 All-out (Chandimal 28, Mathews 27; Bess 5/30, Broad 3/20)

ENG - 127/2 in 41 overs (Joe Root 66* Jonny Bairstow 47* Embuldeniya 2/55)

The opening Test between Sri Lanka and England (SL vs ENG) is in progress at Galle International Stadium. Dominic Bess’s five-wicket haul and Broad's three wickets propel Sri Lanka to bowled out for a paltry 135, their lowest-ever first innings total at Galle. In reply, the visitors also failed to give an expected start. Lankan speedster Lasith Embuldeniya bowls exemplary well for the hosts and nipped both English openers cheaply. At Stumps on Day 1, England are 1272 and still trails by 8 runs to the Lankans' first innings total. 

The England cricket team captain Joe Root notched his 50th Test fifty and remains unbeaten on 66, comprising five boundaries while Jonny Bairstow is playing on 47 not out. The duo put an unbeaten 110-run stand for the third wicket. Crawley and Sibley both depart quickly by scoring only 9 and 4 respectively. Embuldeniya picked both England's wickets and bowled beautifully upfront.

An excellent day. 💪

Scorecard: https://t.co/RfqfT5QobQ#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/v651BL1ZzD

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 14, 2021

Earlier, Stand-in skipper Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and opted to bat but the decision proven to be wrong as the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals. The Lankan batters die by the sword with which he makes merry most times due to which they have just bundled out for a below-par score. They played some unorthodox shots to get out and all credit goes to English bowlers led by leggy Dom Bess who picked his second five-wicket haul in his short Test career.

Sri Lanka make 135 in their first innings. #SLvsENG2021 pic.twitter.com/X523SOBkrx

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 14, 2021

However, the wicket doesn't have any demons but Sri Lankan batters just have given England a post-Christmas gift. Chandimal and Mathews are the major contributors for Sri Lanka with their respective scores of 28 and 27. Shanaka and Parera also chipped in with the '20s. Dom Bess took 5/30 while Broad was also impressed upfront and he finished with 3/20.

Also Read: Sri Lanka announces its 22-men Squad for Test series against England

Unfortunately, Sri Lankan regular skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has been ruled out with a fractured thumb just ahead of the match. Dinesh Chandimal will stand-in as Lankans skipper by replacing him.