England collapse to 75-run defeat despite Trott's best efforts

CRICKET:ENGLAND'S miserable start to 2012 continued as they lost the first Test to Sri Lanka by 75 runs in Galle.

They have now lost all four Tests since the turn of the year, with Sri Lanka’s spinners picking up where their Pakistani counterparts left off in the United Arab Emirates.

Rangana Herath, who took 12 wickets in the match, and Suraj Randiv accounted for all 10 of England’s batsmen in the second innings, which fell well short of an imposing target of 340 despite the best efforts of Jonathan Trott.

He scored a gutsy 112, his seventh Test ton, but only Matt Prior, with 41, offered significant support as they were bowled out for 264.

In total 18 of England’s 20 wickets in this match fell to Herath and Randiv and their technique against the slow bowlers is sure to come under fierce scrutiny when the post mortems begin.

Kevin Pieterson fell to Randiv in only the third over of the day, then Herath caught Bell lbw soon after.

England lost their last six wickets for only 31 runs.

Herath dismissed Prior and Patel, before Randiv claimed the all important wicket of Trott.

Graeme Swann fell lbw to Herath, and Randiv saw off Anderson and Panesar with successive deliveries after tea to seal the victory.