Joe Root’s second hundred in as many Lord’s Tests was the cornerstone of England’s recovery on the first day of their series opener with Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Root’s 102 not out helped take England to 5-344 at stumps on the first day of the first Test after they’d been struggling at 3-74 when the 23-year-old Yorkshireman walked out to bat.
Root, who made a Test-best 180 against Australia at Lord’s last year, was well supported by Matt Prior (76 not out) in a so far unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 135.
However, recalled wicketkeeper Prior was fortunate not be out for a second-ball duck before completing just his second fifty in 21 Test innings.
Moeen Ali (48), one of three debutants in a new-look England side, had previously helped Root steady the ship during a fifth-wicket stand of 89.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and a greener-than-usual pitch offered quick reward as England lost both their openers inside the first half hour.
Australia-born Sam Robson, one of England’s newcomers along with Ali and all-rounder Chris Jordan, fell for one on his Middlesex home ground when drawn forward into edging a full-length Nuwan Pradeep delivery that was well caught by diving wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
And 1-14 became 2-22 when England captain Alastair Cook, playing his 100th consecutive Test, exited for 17 when he bottom-edged an intended cut off Nuwan Kulasekara into his stumps.
Gary Ballance, promoted to number three in only his second Test, lasted 73 minutes before he drove flat-footedly and was caught behind for 23 to leave England 3-74.
The struggled to 3-98 at lunch but Ian Bell, the only other experienced batsman in a revamped top order, was unbeaten on 41 and looking in excellent touch.
But he was out for 56 soon after when, hitting across the line, he was lbw to Eranga although Sri Lanka had to first challenge Australian umpire Paul Reiffel’s original not out decision .
Ali began cautiously but the left-hander found his form in slog-sweeping Herath for six.
Together with Root he prevented any further loss of wickets before tea as England reached the interval on 4-195 with both batsmen unbeaten on 43.
After the resumption, Root completed his fifty but Ali fell for 48 when he drove loosely at Herath and was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip.
Prior, dropped during the Ashes, had still to score on Thursday when struck on the back leg by Herath.
Sri Lanka appealed for lbw but Reiffel ruled in the batsman’s favour and, despite a review, the ‘umpire’s call’ stood after replays indicated the ball had pitched fractionally outside off stump.
