England v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Cardiff, 5th day

Tremlett rattles Sri Lanka top order

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan

May 30, 2011

James Anderson

With few spectators to witness it, Chris Tremlett produced a hostile spell with the new ball to rattle Sri Lanka's top order on the final afternoon in Cardiff. After heavy morning rain Ian Bell was given a chance to reach his hundred then Andrew Strauss declared, to leave his attack 51 overs at the visitors, and both openers were back in the pavilion within the first four although Sri Lanka steadied themselves to reach 33 for 2 at tea.

Tremlett struck with the last ball of his first over when Tharanga Paranavtiana edged a low catch to first slip and his second came when Tillakaratne Dilshan got into a tangle against a shorter delivery. The catch lobbed back to Tremlett and Dilshan was given out immediately but opted for the DRS only for it to show the ball had brushed glove and Sri Lanka were 10 for 2. Even though time remained against a victory push England were laying down useful markers ahead of Lord's.

The experienced pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene found it tough to battle through to tea, especially against Tremlett who maintained a probing line. Sangakkara spooned a square drive just wide of point and Jayawardene edged in front of the slips off Stuart Broad, who looked in better rhythm than the first innings.

The merits of allowing Bell to reach three figures are likely to be debated because of the signal it sends out that personal milestones are given such importance. It took Bell two overs to collect the two runs he needed as he edged the first ball of the day to fine leg then guided a boundary to third man off Thisara Perera. For the record it was Bell's 13th Test hundred and came from 159 deliveries.

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

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M Usman Arshad