Twitter Reactions: England rout Sri Lanka in the first Test

Published - 21 May 2016, 22:43 IST | Updated - 21 May 2016, 22:43 IST

4 Min Read

England achieved an astounding victory by an innings and 88 runs over Sri Lanka in the first Test match at Headingley, Leeds. Jonny Bairstow stole the thunder for England with a characteristic knock of 140 and he was deservingly announced the man of the match at the end of the game. On the other hand, James Anderson recorded a 10-wicket haul and also became the sixth highest wicket-taker in Tests.

Sri Lanka won the toss and put the home side into bat first. They were reduced to 83/5 before Bairstow’s brilliant century and Alex Hales’ half century rescued them to 298. Debutant Dasun Shanaka along with Dushmantha Chameera took 3 wickets apiece. Day 1 ended early due to bad light.

Sri Lankan batting was filled with disappointment as their batsmen failed to put bat on ball. Skipper Angelo Mathews looked to hang on but hardly found support. Anderson picked up a five-wicket haul while Stuart Broad got 4 wickets. Sri Lanka were bundled for 91 in their first innings and were asked to follow-on.

Eng v SL 1st Test review – Eng v SL, 1st Test Review: Anderson’s ten stumps Sri Lanka twice in two days

Following on, Sri Lanka were 79/2 at one stage, but once Dinesh Chandimal got out, all hell break loose as they again lost a flurry of wickets in quick succession. In no time they were bowled out for 119 handing over England a huge victory by an innings and 88 runs. Anderson took another five-wicket haul and completed 10 wickets in the match.

The hosts now lead the points table at the moment with 4 points as the series gets decided on the basis of it. Here is how Twitter reacted during the course of the game:

'We have two more games to go. We have got to bounce back hard' – Mathews https://t.co/VNNjBvOYjX #ENGvSL
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 21, 2016

Test cricket is back! Oh, the Test is over
— Sidvee (@sidvee) May 21, 2016

SL could have batted thrice on that Headingly pitch and still wouldn't have made England bat again. #EngvSL
— cricBC (@cricBC) May 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/734056240708345856

James Anderson Bowling figures:
1st Innings: 5/16
2nd Innings: 5/29
England won by an innings and 88 Runs!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 21, 2016

Sri Lanka meanwhile have shown that they have a difficult climb back with their batting. The bowling will hold but batting will be a worry.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 21, 2016

James Anderson bowling average 28.63 from 29.22
— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) May 21, 2016

Brilliant from @englandcricket this could become the best team we've ever had , exciting times ??
— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) May 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/734054873403006976

How did we lose to this lot in 2014? England XI is basically the same
— Cricket Fan Bob (@CricketFanBob) May 21, 2016

Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets in each innings for a combined total of 40 runs. Pretty pisspoor effort, that.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) May 21, 2016

Yes boys what a performance!! #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/J16cxr478R
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) May 21, 2016

10 wicket haul for Anderson
3rd 10 wicket haul
20th 5 wickets haul
11.4-6-16-5 &
13.3-5-29-5
Overall 25.1-11-45-10 #ENGvSL
— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) May 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/cricketopia/status/734054309541740545

Test match lasts 162 overs with 28 of the 30 wickets falling to seamers. Great pitch.
— MV (@srinivyasan) May 21, 2016

Kusal Mendis reaches his fifty with a fine shot for four.
Sri Lanka 83-3 https://t.co/KjUkbYKDXf #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/fxdojlPAUs
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) May 21, 2016

Most wickets in Tests:
800 Muralitharan
708 Warne
619 Kumble
563 McGrath
519 Walsh
435* ANDERSON
434 Kapil#ENGvSL
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 20, 2016

An unbeaten 71 for @AlexHales1
???#ENGvSL https://t.co/I7cDpPJBt2
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 19, 2016

I think @AlexHales1 has now proved he can play Test cricket.
Let's just leave him at No2 for the next 10yrs. He's our Warner. #ENGvSL
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 19, 2016

Ben Stokes would literally try and suppress a fire with more fire. #EngvSL
— Vithushan (@Vitu_E) May 19, 2016

1st session to SL… keep pegging away lads !! #ENGvSL Wow @dasunshanaka1 great start to test career 3 for 5 in 4 overs..
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) May 19, 2016