Image Credit- The Guardian
Venue- Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds [May 2016].
Sri Lanka was playing against England in the first test of the three match test series. Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to field first. In a bowling friendly pitch Sri Lankan bowlers blew the English top order. At the end of 32 overs, the English scorecard read 83/5. It appeared that the hosts will be bowled out under 150. However, Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow rose up to the occasion. Hales scored a solid 86 runs knock. Whereas the local lad Jonny Bairstow took the Sri Lankan attack by horns as he scored 140 of 183 balls [13 4's and 1 6's]. Due to Bairstow's ton the English ended up scoring 298 runs in their first innings.
In response when Sri Lankans came out to bat, they looked clueless in front of English bowlers. James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up 5 and 4 wickets respectively and the visitors were bowled out for just 91 runs in the first innings. The English Captain Alastair Cook decided to enforce a follow on, and the carnage continued. Anderson once again blew the Sri Lankan batting line up and the visitors were bowled out for 119 runs in their second innings. James Anderson picked up another 5 wickets haul and ended the match with the figure of 10-45.
The Hosts won the game by an innings and 88 runs and took a 1-0 lead in 3 match series. Jonny Bairstow was awarded the Man of the Match award for his excellent 140 runs in such tough conditions. However, this match will always be remembered for the iconic spell of James Anderson.
In the words of Mike Selvey, "Like an aristocrat greeting a lady with a sweep of his hat, England’s fast-bowler brushed aside Sri Lanka to record his best figures at the ground of 10 for 45".
To watch James Anderson's spell, click here.
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