Tremlett savours joy of six

Second day marred with rain as England on top.

SOUTHAMPTON:

Chris Tremlett marked his return with a Test-best haul to leave Sri Lanka on 177 for nine when rain forced an early stumps on the second day of the third and final Test. He took six for 42, surpassing his five for 87 against Australia in Perth in December.

In this match, he had exploited the assistance offered by a green-tinged pitch to take two for 17 in 11 overs on Thursday before Thilan Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawardene kept England at bay. But, after rain meant no play before lunch yesterday, Samaraweera was dismissed in Tremlett's first over of the day.

Tremlett then had Thisara Perera out edging an intended pull through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior. Sri Lanka were now 91 for six.

Tremlett, the six feet seven inches tall bowler, though completed his five-wicket haul when Rangana Herath top-edged a pull to James Anderson to leave Sri Lanka floundering at 117 for seven. But,after Tremlett's spell of three for 18 in six overs, Stuart Broad was unable to follow-up, the seam-bowling all-rounder too often harmlessly short.

Prasanna Jayawardene, who made a century in the first Test, repelled England's attack with several stylish shots on his way to 43.

Soon Graeme Swann vindicated by just the off-spinner's second ball, which Prasanna Jayawardene slog-swept straight to Eoin Morgan at deep midwicket while Prasanna Jayawardene fell to Tremlett followed by Suranga Lakmal who was caught behind for a duck.

By tea on the second day, Dilhara Fernando was not out for his 33 runs while Chanaka Welegedara was seven not out when the players came off the field.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2011.