Herath: Partnerships crucial for Sri Lanka

Omnisports

May 20, 2016 3:19 AM

Rangana Herath rued a "world class" bowling spell from England leaving Sri Lanka facing a huge challenge in the first Test.

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Sri Lanka must learn from their first-innings mistakes against England and build notable partnerships if they are to save the first Test, says Rangana Herath.

Having bowled well to limit England to 298 in their first innings, Sri Lanka failed to apply any pressure on their hosts as Stuart Broad and James Anderson produced a stunning display with the ball.

England quickly made inroads into the Sri Lanka batting line-up as their strike dup revelled in overcast conditions, Anderson taking a personal Headingley best 5-16 as the tourists were skittled for 98.

Alastair Cook enforced the follow-on, but bad light called a halt to proceedings with Sri Lanka finishing the day trailing by 206.

"The conditions were not helping us but there was some world-class bowling from Jimmy and Stuart Broad," bowler Herath said.

"All credit goes to both, we should have built better partnerships. Hopefully we can capitalise in the second innings.

"I thought we bowled particularly well, but at the end top bowling from the England side [cost us].

"We have to bat really well in the second innings, we need to have good partnerships."

Omnisports

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