Angelo Mathews prevails as Sri Lanka show necessary patience

NICK HOWSON: After a disastrous display in the first innings of the opening Test, the hosts keep England at an arm's length in Galle

Sri Lanka v England: Second Test scorecard

Galle being Galle, Sri Lanka legends weigh in and Anderson delivers...TEST MATCH TALKING POINTS

A week on from what was among the most derided batting display in Sri Lanka's Test history, normal service on home turf resumed. Galle presented few challenges on day one of the concluding match of the series against England left the hosts more than content.

After James Anderson ran through Kusal Perera and Oshada Fernando, talisman Angelo Mathews, captain Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella helped put on 153 of the 229 runs Sri Lanka managed for the loss of four wickets to put them in a strong position.

On a hot, humid day, Sri Lanka made England work hard for their wickets, showing patience which if applied a few days ago may have led to a vastly different result.

Mathews and Chandimal put on 117 for the fourth wicket with a chanceless partnership, which was only ended by the delivery of the day from the tireless Mark Wood, who achieved a hint of reverse swing to get rid of the skipper.

With batting likely to become a tough ask come the second half of the game, first-innings runs are key. Sri Lanka may have been restricted to scoring at 2.63 an over, but the damage may already have been done. Their restraint will be rewarded.

"I got into a rhythm in the last innings in the first Test so I thought if I got a start I'm not going to give it away," said Mathews, who followed up his 71 in the second innings of the first Test with an unbeaten 107. 

"I had to work extremely hard. The wicket wasn't turning and it was slow but we couldn't score easily and they gave nothing away.

^{Grant Flower tempered his criticism of Sri Lanka's batting (Getty)}

"If it is this hot and humid it is going to start turning very soon. A couple of balls took a bit of turn but as the sun hits the pitch there will be a lot more turn than today. We don't know what a good score it but as many as you can get will be vital."

Batting coach Grant Flower took aim at what he called Sri Lanka's "worst" batting display when they mustered just 135, and while he was not altogether convinced by the performance this time around, the tone of the assessment was much more positive.

Perera was out when he showed the new ball in the hand of Anderson no respect, while Lahiru Thirimanne could perhaps have done better from the second delivery after lunch, as he edged England's all-time Test wicket-taker behind.

"A much better day than last time," the Zimbabwean agreed. "I reckon we still gave them three wickets. Thirimanne could have left his ball. Having said that I thought he played very well. But we're in a much better place than last time. It is quite pleasing from that aspect. 

"We didn't have to chase the game as we did in South Africa. It was a flat wicket and it didn't turn much. There was a bit of bounce for the seamers. 

"It was a really good pitch to bat on. They guys just had to apply themselves and wait for the loose ball. Angelo Mathews showed his experience and just batted and got a really good hundred. It showed what a good player he is. 

"At stages, we were quite slow. We lost wickets at crucial stages. But with regard to how we played in the first innings of the first Test, the guys probably thought they just needed to dig in a bit more and put a larger price on their wicket. You can't get too critical."

Image courtesy of Sri Lanka Cricket