Sri Lanka vs. England 1st Test: Ben Foakes and Moeen Ali star on day two in Galle

Sri Lanka vs. England: first Test, day two

• England first innings: 342 all out
• Sri Lanka first innings: 203 all out
• England second innings: 38-0
• England lead by 177 runs

England are in control of the first Test match against Sri Lanka after producing a strong all-round performance on the second day in Galle.

Resuming their first innings this morning on 321-8, England finished all out on 342. The tourists only added 21 runs but this included Ben Foakes completing a memorable century on his Test debut before he was dismissed for 107.

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Sri Lanka came into bat but a brilliant display by spinners Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Jack Leach limited the home side’s chances. Angelo Mathews top scored with 52 but Sri Lanka were bowled out for 203 from 68 overs. Moeen starred with bowling figures of 4-66.

In their second innings England were 38-0 at stumps and will take a 177-run lead into tomorrow’s third day. Joe Root’s side are in a “dominant position in Galle”, the BBC reports, and have a great chance of winning an overseas Test for the first time since October 2016.

As well as scoring a century wicketkeeper Foakes also took two catches and made one stumping. It was a “dream debut” for the 25-year-old, says Sky Sports.

Foakes said: “I was pretty calm this morning and I got a bit nervous when Jimmy Anderson came out with five to go. It was meant to be my day.

“It was amazing to get a hundred - such a relief and a great feeling. Getting a few runs settled me down and with Jimmy bowling you know you’re in the game, so to get a catch early was great. As the wicket dried out it is spinning more and staying low. It’s tricky.”

Openers Rory Burns (11 not out) and Keaton Jennings (26 not) will return to the crease tomorrow morning looking to build on England’s 177-run lead.

Day three TV and radio coverage

The third day of the opening Test match between Sri Lanka and England will start on Thursday at 4.30am (all times UK). Sky Sports Cricket’s TV coverage begins at 4.15am while ball-by-ball radio coverage on talkSPORT 2 starts at 4am.