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Bairstow's defiant ton steadies England's innings

Jonny Bairstow scored an aggressive hundred to help England reach a respectable total of 298 on the second day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday.

England batsman Jonny Bairstow in action against Sri Lanka on Friday.
England batsman Jonny Bairstow in action against Sri Lanka on Friday. Reuters / Lee Smith
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The England wicket keeper scored 140 runs in just 176 balls after he put a crucial 141 run partnership for the sixth wicket with opening batsman Alex Hales who scored 86 runs.

Put in to bat, England began shakily as they lost their top five batsmen for just 83 runs.

England captain and opening batsman Alastair Cook needed just 36 runs to become the first Englishman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

However, the left-handed could make only 16 runs as he got out to medium-pacer Dasun Shanaka who claimed three quick wickets.

England’s mainstay in recent years Joe Root fell for zero as did Nick Compton.

However, opening batsman Hales and Bairstow’s crucial partnership steadied England’s innings.

Hales fell 14 runs short of a hundred. The third best score was by No.11 batsman Steve Finn who scored 17 runs.

Debutant medium pacer Dasun Shanaka was the stand out performer. He wrecked the England top order by bowling a remarkable spell in which he took three wickets for one run in eight balls.

Dushmanta Chameera also claimed three wickets while Rangana Herath grabbed two wickets.

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