Fernando fit, Law rules out Vaas return

Sri Lanka interim coach Stuart Law on Wednesday welcomed the return of fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, who missed the first Test against Sri Lanka due to a leg injury.

The tourists - minus the service of crocked seam pair Fernando and Nuwan Pradeep - lost the series opener by an innings and 14 runs in Cardiff on Monday. While their batting let them down across a second-innings collapse to 82 all out in under two hours, it was a substandard attack that afford England to amass 496 for five in their first knock.

Medium-pacers Farveez Maharoof and Thisara Perera were largely ineffective and the inexperienced Suranga Lakmal battled to control his line and length with the new ball.  Fernando’s recovery offers a solid boost to a bowling line-up struggling to rebuild following the retirements of veteran spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and speedster Lasith Malinga.

“Apparently Dilhara is fully fit and raring to go. He may feature. He obviously provides us with another pace option,” said Law, who is in the running alongside former England fast bowler Matthew Maynard to take over from outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss on a full-time basis.  “We’re 1-0 down in the three-match series and we’ve got to win a Test match. We need to score runs but we’ve also got to take 20 wickets, so we need to find the right combination.”  Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas completed a 10-wicket match haul for Northamptonshire in their big win over Glamorgan, with Law left to shrug off suggestion that he had approached the veteran left-armer to come out of Test retirement.  “It’s good to see Vaas is going well. He’s fit and strong and looks after himself, but we’ve settled on our squad and we have to put faith in them. If there’s an injury, then perhaps we’ll reconsider,” added Law.

The second Test gets underway at Lord’s on Friday.

“It’s good inspiration to come to Lord’s. What a great place to play cricket. It’s always been one of my favourite grounds to come and play in. Hopefully it’ll inspire our boys too,” concluded the former Australian batsman.

Vass takes 10 wicket haul as Northamptonshire thrash Glamorgan

Former Sri Lanka seamer Chaminda Vaas claimed a 10-wicket match haul as LV Division Two leaders Northamptonshire thrashed fellow high-fliers Glamorgan by an innings and 177 runs on the final day at Wantage Road.  After being skittled out for just 72 in their first innings yesterday, Glamorgan were polished off for 212 by the Northants attack who wrapped things up before lunch.

Vaas took five for 60 to claim match figures of 10 for 82 as the hosts claimed their second-biggest win over Glamorgan in the County Championship.

It is the third time Northants have won by an innings this season and it continues their magnificent start to the season, whilst also cementing their place at the top of the table.