Angelo Mathews scored a stubborn century to take Sri Lanka to 229-4 on Day 1 of the second Test against England on Friday.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat at Galle International Stadium, but a double strike from seamer James Anderson with the new ball had them teetering at seven for two.
Mathews then came to the crease and settled the innings with his 11th Test ton but first at Sri Lanka’s most iconic venue.
He will resume on the second morning on 107 not out, compiled from 228 balls with 11 fours, and will be joined at the wicket by Niroshan Dickwella on 19.
Mathews said: "The wicket was flat and it was hot, credit to the England bowlers. They gave nothing away.
"I got into a rhythm in the last innings in the first Test and so if I got a good start, I wanted to make it big.
"If this is this hot tomorrow, it will start turning. We don't know what a good score is – we will try to get as many as we can."
Anderson produced early reward for England having replaced Stuart Broad in a rotation of the seam attack, the only change from their seven-wicket win in the first Test.
Fiery home opener Kusal Perera had a wild swing at a delivery outside off stump and was caught by Joe Root high above his head at first slip for 6.
Oshada Fernando (0), who came into the side for Kusal Mendis, lasted just four balls before edging a rising Anderson delivery that he could have left onto the wicket.
Mathews and opener Lahiru Thirimanne (43) put on 69 for the third wicket before the latter edged Anderson’s second ball after lunch to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
Stumps in Galle 🏏
— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2021
Angelo Mathews’ brilliant century helps Sri Lanka to 229/4 on day one of the second Test 🌟#SLvENG ➡️ https://t.co/3ZC7G8lc6R pic.twitter.com/UqFMRYD9GY
Captain Dinesh Chandimal (52) added another 117 with Mathews before he was trapped leg before wicket by fast bowler Mark Wood, who managed to produce reverse swing early in the innings and toiled away for 17 overs and figures of 1-47.
England will be disappointed with some of the lines they bowled, particularly the spin duo of Dom Bess and Jack Leach, who conceded 120 in 40 overs and failed to create much in the way of chances.
No such problems for record wicket-taker Anderson, though. "It was nice to get a couple of early wickets, and it's not always the best balls that get your wicket – a bit of a drag on, and I'm not sure why Kusal Perera tried to hit that ball," he said.
"It does help settle the nerves, and I thought as a group, the seam bowlers in particular, put in the hard yards today, and put in a stint.
"Mark Wood said he was tired after three overs so to get through eight was a monumental effort from him. He got the wicket and he deserved it. I thought he bowled really well.
"To keep them down to 230 on a flat wicket is good, we're in the game, but we've got to bowl well tomorrow when we come back."
