Summary

  • Embuldeniya removes both England openers cheaply

  • Six-wicket haul for Anderson - becomes oldest paceman to get five wickets in Asia

  • Dickwella hits his highest Test score (92); Number eight Perera adds unbeaten 67

  • Mathews falls early, caught behind for 110

  • Second Test, day two, Galle, England 1-0 up in two-match series

  1. Postpublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    There's nothing here for Anderson at all; it's a fast bowler's graveyard at Galle. He'll be dining out on this performance for a while.

  2. SL 344-8published at 123.2 overs

    Perera goes for a big swipe and nails the ball sending it to the boundary for four. It's a different game when the spinners are bowling.

  3. Postpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    He couldn't get an eight-for, could he?

  4. SL 340-8published at 123 overs

    Anderson 28-13-6-39

    No joy for Anderson despite an unwise swish from Embuldeniya. There was a hint of swing there too.

    Not bad for a lad who can only do it on green seamers.

  5. SL 340-8published at 122.4 overs

    Anderson hits Embuldeniya in the upper thigh. Short leg is coming in...

  6. How's stat?!published at 07:59 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    James Anderson is the oldest seam bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Asia, beating the record of a 37-year-old Sir Richard Hadlee, and he is only the seventh paceman to take a six-wicket haul in Sri Lanka.

  7. SL 340-8published at 122.3 overs

    Perera takes a single so now Anderson has three balls at Embuldeniya.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    #bbccricket

    Tom Sweeney: Jimmy Anderson is a cheat code... this is outrageous...!

  9. SL 339-8published at 122 overs

    D Perera 33, Embuldeniya 0

    Anderson's best figures are 7-42, by the way. He currently has 6-38. It's on. Anderson has also become the oldest fast bowler to get a five-fer in Asia.

    Embuldeniya is the new batsman. He averages five but Perera keeps the strike.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    #bbccricket

    Alex Thomas: What a bowler Jimmy is... not just on a cloudy day in Manchester either!

  11. 6 runs

    SL 338-8published at 121.1 overs

    Meanwhile, Dilruwan Perera has played a quite incredible shot to hit Jack Leach for six.

  12. Postpublished at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    It is not out of the realms of possibility that Jimmy Anderson could end up with his best Test match figures - in Galle.

  13. Postpublished at 07:53 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    6-38 in 27 overs. In Galle. On this pitch.

    James AndersonImage source, Sri Lanka Cricket
  14. Postpublished at 07:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    Suddenly, England are running through Sri Lanka. Jimmy Anderson is just the most extraordinary cricketer.

  15. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 121 overs

    Lakmal c Crawley b Anderson 0 (SL 332-8)

    Make that six.

    I have run out of words to describe this man. James Anderson. Sensational.

    He gets Suranga Lakmal second ball with the tailender edging to Zak Crawley in the gully.

  16. Postpublished at 07:51 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    This is one of James Anderson's best five-fors.

  17. Postpublished at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Dickwella will be kicking himself. He could have played out Anderson and he was milking Leach at the other end.

  18. Postpublished at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    That's Anderson's 30th five-wicket haul in Tests.

    He has 5-38 in 26.5 overs.

  19. Postpublished at 07:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    All day, England have been toying with that plan, hanging the ball out there to encourage that shot. It's paid off. It's a good catch, too, with the ball going to Jack Leach's wrong hand.

  20. Postpublished at 07:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January 2021

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    That is the first injudicious shot Dickwella has played.