Root, Prior make it England's day

Jun 12, 2014

England were sent in by Sri Lanka on the opening morning of a new Test season and things began badly with Alastair Cook chopping on•Getty Images

Ian Bell steadied England as they began to build a partnership...•Getty Images

But Moeen Ali and Joe Root steadied England with a partnership of 89•Getty Images

Sri Lanka were confident of another quick wicket with a huge lbw appeal against Matt Prior...•PA Photos

And Prior brought up his own half-century - and showed his relief after a torrid winter•Getty Images

Sam Robson's only made 1 in his first Test innings as Sri Lanka made a bright start•Getty Images

But Nuwan Pradeep claimed his second wicket in the morning session to reduce England to 74 for 3•PA Photos

Moeen struck several boundaries in his 48 and looked in confident mood on his Test debut...•Getty Images

...but Prior survived the narrowest of lbw reviews and found his touch on his return to the England side•PA Photos

And England's day was complete as Root brought up his second Test century at Lord's•PA Photos

After lunch it got better for the tourists as Shaminda Eranga had Ian Bell lbw on review•PA Photos

...but he played a wild swipe to Rangana Herath and ended his innings with an edge to slip•PA Photos

Root was busy at the crease and went past fifty in 106 balls•AFP