Matthew Hoggard was delighted after leading a superb performance from England's bowlers on the opening day of the first Test in Sri Lanka.

The Yorkshire seamer claimed 4-29 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 188 after opting to bat first in Kandy.

"It's been a great day, it didn't go to plan at the toss - but we knew it was a good toss to lose," Hoggard told us.

"We put the balls in the right areas and got the results and we're in a strong position heading into day two.

"The ball has been swinging in the warm-up games - with the Kookaburra (type of ball used in Sri Lanka) we know there is just a small window of opportunity where it does swing, and then stops swinging quite quickly - fortunately for us we were able to prolong the swinging."

England reached 49-1 in reply by the close and Hoggard believes the pitch - which was on the slow side on day one - will improve for batting as the game continues.

"I don't know how under-par it (Sri Lanka's first innings score) is at all," he added.

"If you look at history 210 is an average score (at Kandy) in the first innings, with the higher scores coming in the second innings.

"We are in a strong position now and need to pile on the runs tomorrow so that we can put their batsmen under pressure in the second innings."

Hoggard claimed all four wickets during his opening spell to help reduce Sri Lanka to 42-5.

England were then held up by a 106-run, sixth-wicket stand between Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene as the hosts avoided total embarrassment.

But Monty Panesar removed Jayawardene for 51 and went on to finish with 3-46 to ensure Hoggard's good work with the new ball was not wasted.

"(I bowled) 10 overs first spell, it's one of the longest I've bowled and it was quite warm," noted Hoggard.

"But it's nice to take wickets when your bowling - it adds energy to your legs!"