SL vs ENG: James Anderson On Top After Six-For In Hot And Humid Galle

Cricket Image for SL vs ENG: James Anderson On Top After Six-For In Hot And Humid Galle (James Anderson (Image Source: Google))

England paceman James Anderson Saturday said it is a "bigger achievement" to get five-wicket hauls in the sub-continent than back home after he helped bowl out Sri Lanka for 381 on day two in the second Test.

Anderson, 38, denied wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella a century after sending him back for 92 in Galle to claim his 30th five-wicket haul with figures of 6-40.

It was Anderson's best figures in Asia as he went past his 5-75 in Galle in 2012 and said he felt good to get wickets in the hot and humid conditions.

"Yeah, I guess so. Certainly, because conditions are very different you do feel it's a bigger achievement," Anderson told reporters.

"The weather has been rocket hot and to bowl, the amount of overs, get the wickets and the rewards certainly feels very good."

The tourists were 98 for two at stumps after Lasith Embuldeniya struck early to remove the openers. Skipper Joe Root, on 67, and Jonny Bairstow, on 24, were batting as England trail by 283 runs in Galle.

Anderson bowled 29 overs with 13 maidens before Sri Lanka were bowled out in an extended second session with Dilruwan Perera scoring a defiant 67.

"I think it was a really good effort to keep them under 400," said Anderson, who has taken 606 wickets in 157 matches.

"We know now we've got to bat big, we've got to bat a long time to try and win this game but that's what you've got to do in the sub-continent."

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