Root's Unbeaten Ton Takes England to 344-5

London: Joe Root's unbeaten century helps England close the opening day of the first Test on 344-5 at the Lord's, London on Thursday.

Root put on an unbroken 135 with another recalled player, Matt Prior, who hit nine fours in his 76 not out as England rallied from 120-4.

Sam Robson, one of three debutants, was out for one in the fourth over after England were put in on a green pitch.

Alastair Cook also fell cheaply but Ian Bell made 56 and debutant Moeen Ali hit six fours and a six in his 48.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Moeen Ali, Sam Robson and Chris Jordan to make their Test debuts.

SL have gone with Dimuth Karunaratne at opener and the Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep and Shaminda Eranga in the pace attack while only spinner Rangana Herath.

Teams:

England: 1 Alastair Cook (Capt), 2 Sam Robson, 3 Gary Ballance, 4 Ian Bell, 5 Joe Root, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Chris Jordan, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Liam Plunkett, 11 James Anderson

Sri Lanka: 1 Kaushal Silva, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Angelo Mathews (Capt.), 7 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Nuwan Pradeep, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Shaminda Eranga

Brief scores
England - 344/5 (Root 102*, Prior 76*, Bell 56)

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