Sussex fast bowler James Kirtley made the most of his surprise England recall with two wickets on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

Kirtley removed opener Marvan Attapatu in his opening spell and returned to the attack after tea to end a seventh wicket stand of 71 between captain Hashan Tillekeratne and Chaminda Vaas, whom he trapped leg before.

Kirtley also ran out Kumar Sangakarra and took a catch off left-arm spinner Ashley Giles who finished with three wickets as Sri Lanka closed on 277-7.

Giles was helped by two contentious umpiring decisions from Australian official Daryl Harper.

Sanath Jayasuriya was caught behind down the leg side off the final ball before lunch while Thilan Samaraweera offered no shot and was adjudged leg before even though the ball appeared to be going past off stump.

That wicket came shortly after Andrew Flintoff removed Tillekeratne Dilshan, who top scored with 63 on his return to the side after a three-year absence before he fended a short-pitched delivery to slip.

Dislshan and Mahela Jayawardene had added 103 for the fourth wicket during the afternoon session before Jayawardene top-edged a sweep off Giles and was