Sri Lanka vs England: Anderson's six-wicket haul keeps Sri Lanka in check

James Anderson scalped six wickets to help bowl out Sri Lanka for 381 on Day 2 of the second Test. Anderson dismissed wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella after sending him back on 92 to claim his 30th five-wicket haul. This was the pacer’s second five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka. Anderson's previous best figures were 5 for 75 in Galle back in 2012.

James Anderson picked up wickets of Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Perera, Oshada Fernando and Lahiru Thirimanne to complete his five-wicket haul. This was the first instance when all the ten wickets went to the pacers with Wooden also picking up three scalps.

England cricket team roped in Anderson as a replacement of Stuart Broad in the second test squad. The 38-year-old bowled 29 overs with 13 maidens before Sri Lanka were out in an extended second session. The pace spearhead struck in his first over of the day to dismiss Angelo Mathews for 110 after the former captain added just three runs in the morning session.

James Anderson picks 30th five-wicket haul

Earlier, the right-arm England pace bowler was tied with Glenn McGrath in joint sixth position with 29 five-wicket hauls before this Test. Anderson is now the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the game's purest format and the best among pace bowlers with 606 wickets. The 38-year-old now acquires 14 more wickets to get past leg-spinner Anil Kumble as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Talking about the pace bowlers, only Richard Hadlee has 36 five-wicket hauls which are more than Anderson in Test cricket. Sri Lanka's legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list with 67 five-wicket hauls in the game's most extended format.

Anderson's heroics innings restricted the hosts to a first-innings score of 381. The Lankans will now be aiming to put pressure on the visitors and hope to draw the two-match Test series. England had won the first against Sri Lanka match by seven wickets. Team England were 98 for two at stumps after Lasith Embuldeniya dismissed the opening batsmen. Test captain Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow were on the crease as England trail by 283 runs in Galle.

Joe Root's double century in the first match helped the side grab the opening win last week. He also recorded his 50th half-century in his 99th match. The on-going series that is being played behind closed doors has restarted after being postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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