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Harmison pegs back Sri Lanka

18/12/2007

Sri Lanka have ended a truncated first day's play in the third Test against England on 147-4, as Steve Harmison took three wickets.

The tourists' pace bowler dismissed opener Upul Tharanga (16), number three Kumar Sangakarra (46) and number five Chamara Silva (one) as England edged slightly ahead on day one of a match they must win.

Ryan Sidebottom took a wicket of his own - opener Michael Vandort (18) – as the visitors took advantage of changeable early conditions to cause Sri Lanka some problems.

The hosts were put into bat by captain Michael Vaughan and his decision immediately paid dividends as Vandort and Tharanga were both out cheaply with the score on 44-2.

However, Sangakarra and Mahela Jayawardene (51 not out) rebuilt the innings with an 88-run stand for the third wicket before Monty Panesar was the unlikely hero - pouching a catch off Harmison in the deep.

Tillakaratne Dilshan came in for a quickfire seven off five balls before the umpires offered the light to the batsmen.

Earlier in the day, the start of the first session was put back by two hours to allow the groundsmen to properly prepare the pitch after unseasonal heavy rainfall had saturated the field.