Plunkett completes test best figures as England take control

LIAM Plunkett returned his best test figures yesterday to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 141 on the opening day of the second test against England at Edgbaston. Plunkett took three for 43 after Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bat. At the close England were 138 for three after off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took two late wickets. Sri Lanka, who fought back to draw the first test at Lord's after being asked to follow on, would have been further humiliated had it not been for Chaminda Vaas (30 not out) and Lasith Malinga (26) who added 50 for the ninth wicket. Plunkett captured two wickets in his opening over. The tourists would have been further humiliated had it not been for Chaminda Vaas (30 not out) and Lasith Malinga (26) who added 50 for the ninth wicket. Plunkett snared three of the top four Sri Lanka batsmen to give England the upper hand for the second match in succession. After Matthew Hoggard had bowled Upul Tharanga for a duck, the 21-year-old Plunkett produced a double-wicket maiden with his first over.