Hales and Bairstow steady England from 83-5 to 171-5

Hales and Bairstow steady England from 83-5 to 171-5

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:32 p.m. ET

LEEDS, England (AP) Opener Alex Hales and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow led a steady recovery as England reached 171-5 against Sri Lanka at stumps on a rain-shortened first day Thursday of the opening test.

Seamer Dasun Shanaka took three wickets in two overs on debut to put England in trouble at 83-5, but Hales - 71 not out - and Bairstow - unbeaten with 54 - fought back.

Shanaka removed Alastair Cook and Nick Compton in four balls, and snared home favorite Joe Root for a duck.

Cook was caught behind for 16 attempting an expansive cover drive, leaving him 20 short of 10,000 test runs.

ADVERTISEMENT

No. 5 James Vince made nine runs on his test debut, while big-hitting allrounder Ben Stokes blasted three fours but lasted only nine balls for 12.

share