James Anderson takes SIX wickets with Sri Lanka all out for 381 against England

James Anderson picked up the vital early wicket of centurion Angelo Mathews – and increased his tally to six – with Sri Lanka dismissed for 381 in the second Test in Galle.

England’s record wicket-taker took three of the four wickets to fall on Friday in a classy return on his first competitive appearance in five months and was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.

When Mark Wood made the breakthrough a double – Jos Buttler taking a fine one-handed catch down the leg side as Ramesh Mendis fell for a duck on debut – it looked as if a sub-300 total could still be on the cards.

James Anderson took six superb wickets with Sri Lanka all out for 381 against England in Galle

But Niroshan Dickwella picked up the baton, turning his overnight score of 19 into 78 not out, bristling with positivity but none of the recklessness that has often cost him at this level.

He would, however, later fall short of a century with Anderson striking again. 

It remained a lean time for England’s spin pairing of Jack Leach and Dom Bess, who sent down 40 wicketless overs on day one and added another 13 between them at a cost of 42 runs. 

Mark Wood had also struck for England with debutant Ramesh Mendis clipping to Jos Buttler

Sri Lanka resumed on 229 for four but saw their platform eroded almost immediately as the two key figures from Friday’s play faced off again, with Anderson coming out on top. 

With the second new ball still hard he was able to conjure some seam movement off the pitch and going up for caught behind as it flicked something on the way through. 

There was no doubt pad was involved but, when the umpire rejected the appeal, Joe Root was persuaded to take a second look with DRS.

A tiny spike showed up on UltraEdge leaving Mathews looking aggrieved but overjoyed. 

Wood celebrated wildly after his sharp delivery at Lasith Embuldeniya was hooked to Joe Root

Mendis was unable to wipe away their smiles, lingering seven balls before Wood slid one into the pads and Buttler flung himself into action to grasp a tricky chance before it disappeared towards fine leg.

With Dilruwan Perera sticking firm at number eight, Dickwella put together a composed innings for his side driving well on the front foot initially and then dipping into his cross-bat shots as Bess and Leach struggled.

Dickwella moved past his previous best score of 83 and, when he moved into the 90s with a flick for three off Anderson it seemed as though a maiden century was incoming. 

But England hatched a fresh plan, with Anderson offering width outside off stump while loading the in-field with catchers. Dickwella could not resist, throwing his hands at one and seeing Leach track it well to hold on at mid-off. He was gone for 92, leaving Sri Lanka 332 for seven.

Niroshan Dickwella raises his bat after reaching a fine half-century but was caught out for 92

Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera helped steady Sri Lanka with the hosts reaching a useful score

Two balls later Anderson bagged his sixth victim of the innings, Suranga Lakmal’s loose drive nestling safely with Zak Crawley in the cordon.

Wood then struck for his third wicket to leave Sri Lanka teetering on 364-9 – with his sharp delivery clipped by Lasith Embuldeniya to Root at first slip.  

Dilruwan Perera was the last wicket to fall with Sri Lanka all out for 381. His hook off of Sam Curran’s delivery was arched towards Leach, who took a fine catch.