Fiery Tremlett hits Lanka for six, England in control

After the morning session had been lost to rain, Sri Lanka, resuming on 81 for four, lost wickets consistently through the afternoon and had problems with Tremlett's pace and steep bounce on a sporting pitch.

Wicketkeeper and number six batsman Prasanna Jayawardene made an impressive 43 and was the only player to look assured all the way through his innings while tailender Dilhara Fernando counter-attacked for an unbeaten 33 off 41 balls.

The combination of England's dominance and the many weather interruptions with only 38 overs possible on day one, are thwarting Sri Lanka's chances of achieving the win they need to draw the series.

Thilan Samaraweera fell to the 12th ball of the day for 31 in what turned out to be an eventful over from Tremlett.

First the batsman was struck a painful blow on the right glove which caused a brief delay as he received treatment. He then scored two runs through midwicket to register the 50 stand with Jayawardene, before his dismissal.

Samaraweera was undone by a rare Tremlett delivery that was pitched up just outside of his off stump and he pushed tentatively to offer Kevin Pietersen a comfortable catch in gully.

Thisara Perera (2), recalled for fellow all-rounder Farveez Maharoof, failed to justify his promotion in the batting order with an ugly, short-lived innings.

The left-handed number seven ignored his team's perilous situation and tried to slog Tremlett several times, but managed only a faint edge to wicketkeeper Matt Prior off his sixth ball.

P Jayawardene continued to ignore the struggle at the other end and played some elegant strokes, such as the on-drive through midwicket for four off James Anderson and a cover driven three in the same over.

Tremlett, who also had Suranga Lakmal caught behind off his first ball, may yet better his first-class career best of six for 44.

Score Board

SRI LANKA (I Innings, O/n: 81/4):
Paranavitana lbw Tremlett    11
Thirimanne c Strauss b Anderson    10
Sangakkara c Prior b Anderson    2
M J’dene c Prior b Tremlett    4
S’weera c Pietersen b Tremlett    31
P J’dene c Morgan b Swann    43   
Perera c Prior b Tremlett    2
Herath c Anderson b Tremlett    12
Fernando (batting)    33
Lakmal c Prior b Tremlett    0
Welegedara (batting)    7
Extras (B-2, LB-15, W-4, NB-1)    22
Total (for 9 wkts, 61.2 overs)    177
Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-23, 3-29, 4-39, 5-89, 6-91, 7-117, 8-158, 9-166.
Bowling: Anderson 23-7-56-2, Broad 18-3-50-0, Tremlett 18.2-5-42-6, Swann 2-0-12-1.