Remarkable James Anderson takes 30th five-wicket haul to lift England

James Anderson showed that he needs neither youth nor a generously swinging Dukes ball to remain a force at the top level, claiming a remarkable 30th five-wicket haul of his Test career when play resumed in Galle. Within two balls of taking a fifth wicket he had added another, giving him the best Test figures by any fast bowler on a ground famed for its capacity to assist spin.

Anderson’s three second-day wickets — to go with the three he picked up on Friday — helped reduce Sri Lanka to 364 for nine half an hour before tea, leaving the game evenly poised. The pitch is a good one for batting — which made Anderson’s efforts all the more remarkable — but with England having