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Hoggard rips through Lanka top order
Paceman Matthew Hoggard rattles the Sri Lankan top-order as they are precariously placed at 83 for 5 at lunch on Day 1 at Kandy.
England paceman Matthew Hoggard produced a lethal spell of swing bowling to leave Sri Lanka tottering at 83 for five at lunch on Day 1 of the First Test at Kandy. Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat in the first cricket Test against England at the Asgiriya stadium here.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start when they lost Sanath Jayasuriya to a lose drive played to a ball pitched wide. Kevin Pietersen displayed excellent reflexes to take a catch diving to his right. Sri Lanka were 11 for one when Jayasuriya departed.
Soon after that, Matthew Hoggard got into the act as he removed Michael Vandort for just 8. Vandort played a checked drive straight into the hands of skipper Michael Vaughan. Sri Lanka were 29 for 2 when Vandort made his way back.
The procession continued for Sri Lanka as they lost three wickets in the space of two runs, including the one of captain Mahela Jayawardene for just one. Hoggard landed it on the spot and it slightly moves away. Jayawardene nibbled and got a clear, thin edge to Prior who takes a good low catch to his right. Chamara Silva then followed his captain back after he could not handle a jaffer from Hoggard, which pitched on off stump with a hint of away seam movement, only to be pouched neatly by Matt Prior.
Jehan Mubarak was the last wicket to fall before lunch, when Hoggard pitched it on a perfect line and length, and the ball seamed the other way leaving the tall left-hander. Mubark had to play at it and Prior completed his third catch of the morning. Sri Lanka were 42 for 5 at that stage.
Vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara looked like the only solid batsman during the period of play, having scored a 39 off 61 balls. Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene fought some uncomfortable deliveries by Hoggard to see through the session with an unbeaten 23.
Matthew Hoggard picked four wickets for 21 runs in a session that clearly belonged to England. He was ably supported by his other bowlers, who held a tight leash around the Lankan batsmen.
England: Michael Vaughan (capt), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Matthew Prior (wicket-keeper), James Anderson, Matthew Hoggard, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Michael Vandort, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (wicket-keeper), Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan.
Umpires: Alem Dar (PAK) and Asad Rauf (PAK)
TV umpire: Tyron Wijewardene (SRI)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
