Caddick finds perfect response

Andrew Caddick felt the performance of England's bowlers in dismissing Sri Lanka for 162 on the first day of the second Test yesterday more than answered criticisms levelled at them after conceding 555 in the drawn first Test.

The England coach, Duncan Fletcher, and the captain, Nasser Hussain, accused Caddick and company of bowling "without discipline" at Lord's, where England's selection of a four-strong seam attack backfired. Dominic Cork was dropped yesterday for left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.

But after leading England, who closed yesterday on 24 without loss, into a position from which they can dictate the game, Caddick said: "Everyone performed today and I think we answered all the criticisms. This time everyone bowled well and Nasser made some good decisions with his bowling changes, so that almost every change brought a wicket."

Caddick's three wickets took him to 202 Test wickets, overtaking John Snow to move into eighth in the all-time list of England bowlers. He revealed afterwards that he had needed a cortisone injection to overcome the discomfort from a niggling rib injury.

Caddick anticipated the first two hours today would be important after England survived seven overs, with Muttiah Muralitharan already turning his arm on his comeback from a shoulder injury.