Sri Lanka’s improved batting on day one of the second and final test against England in Galle on Friday was led by a century from Angelo Mathews and is a sign the hosts have taken on board the heavy criticism of their display in the first test.
Sri Lanka reached 229 for four at the close after electing to bat first, their total boosted by an unbeaten 107 from Mathews and 52 from captain Dinesh Chandimal.
“They set a field that we could not score off easily. The fast bowlers had good line and length. We don’t know what a good score is, just as many as we can get.”
Mathews scored 71 in Sri Lanka’s second innings in the first test and says playing back-to-back games at the same venue has its advantages.
“I got into a rhythm in the second innings of the first test, so I thought if I can get a start I’m not going to give it away,” he said.
“I had to work extremely hard. They (England) gave us nothing, but we are 229 for four and we cannot give it away now.”
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