Jonny Bairstow and Jimmy Anderson star as England seize control against Sri Lanka

England seized total control of the first Investec Test match against Sri Lanka at Headingley thanks to a belligerent century from Jonny Bairstow and a five-wicket haul from Jimmy Anderson. The hosts were bowled out for a par score of 298 on day two in Leeds, with Bairstow (140) and Alex Hales (86) scoring the bulk of England's runs, and Anderson (5-16) starring with the ball.

Bairstow, 26, played the most eye-catching innings of all, reaching the second Test century of his career from 145 balls. The Yorkshireman has begun the English summer in spectacular form and appeared to be batting on a completely different pitch to his teammates at times, repeatedly crashing the ball to the boundary off the front foot.

He reached his ton in bizarre circumstances, however, when he moved from 98 to 100 courtesy of two overthrows when a Sri Lankan fieldsman attempted an unlikely run out against the non-striker, Steven Finn.

Hales, meanwhile, appeared to be navigating his way towards a maiden Test match century, before attempting a reckless strike down the ground off spinner Rangana Herath and skewing the ball into the grateful hands of deep extra cover.

But the game really came to life when England had the ball in their hands, with Anderson and Stuart Broad creating panic in the opposition ranks thanks to their mastery of swing and seam under grey clouds in Leeds.

Anderson produced a typically skilful spell of swing bowling to dismiss any lingering doubts that have surrounded him and his form in recent months. The Lancastrian had the ball on a string at times and showed that his powers remained undimmed by his advancing years.

At the other end, Broad got the ball rolling for England, taking two of the first three wickets to fall and helped to reduce Sri Lanka to 12/3. The 29-year-old seamer finished the innings with enviable figures of 21/4, with the visitors being dismissed for a paltry 91.

England captain Alastair Cook subsequently enforced the follow on and although England were unable to take another wicket before play was stopped due to bad light, they will be confident of sealing a one-sided victory at some stage on day three.