Bob Willis was impressed with an out of character innings from Alex Hales on day one of the first Investec Test between England and Sri Lanka. The opener was 71 not out from 154 balls when the rain came down to curtail Thursdays play at Headingley with England 171-5.Having struggled in South Africa over the winter, Hales appears to have learnt from his mistakes, according to Willis. Its always tough batting at Headingley under leaden skies and it was no surprise that England were put in to bat, he told Sky Sports.It was a quite out of character innings by Alex Hales, who you expect to be looking to hit fours and sixes all the time but he left the ball pretty well. It was a conscientious, rather slow but important opening stand.I think Hales has had to think about a lot of things. He started off trying to play Test cricket like he played one-day cricket and he found the bowling at the top level was far too good to try and do that. There are very few players who manage to go in and play shots at the top of the order and get away with it. Watch the pick of the action from the first day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka Hes been a bit more circumspect, I think he knows hes probably got these three matches to convince the selectors that he is qualified to open the batting for England in Test cricket. Youve got to hand it to him for the way he played today.I dont think we want three players at the top of the order batting at the same pace as Compton and Cook so if the ball is there to be hit on a sunny day, on a flat wicket, Im sure hell hit it.Willis also praised Jonny Bairstows contribution and saw shades of an Australian great in the wicketkeepers innings. The Verdict discuss Jonny Bairstows knock on day one against Sri Lanka and his rising status in the England team, drawing comparisons to Adam Gilchrist Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow seemed to be given license to play their strokes, he said. It didnt work out for Stokes but Bairstow played a Gilchrist-like counter-attacking innings and the partnership with Hales has got England part-way out of the mire.Mahela Jayawardene was in agreement and felt Bairstow changed the whole complexion of the England innings.From ball one, he showed intent, said the Sri Lankan legend. Hes been batting really well this summer, hes got runs behind him and the use of his feet, playing spin, being aggressive - he changed the tempo of that England innings. Bairstow looked in good touch against Sri Lanka Sri Lanka were on top but he came in, played mostly controlled shots, but it was more like a one-day innings that he played and it probably helped Hales to come out of his shell again.Watch live coverage from day two of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley, live on Sky Sports 2 from 10.30am on Friday. You can also catch highlights from day one at 8pm on Sky Sports 3, with The Verdict following immediately after at 9pm. Also See: England fight back against SL WATCH: Story of Day One Sky Cricket Podcast England v Sri Lanka on Sky Sports Jackie Robinson Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Justin Turner Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Corey-Seager-dodgers-jersey/ . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Custom Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Mike Piazza Jersey .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem.Manchester Uniteds FA Cup win over Shrewsbury came at a price as Louis van Gaals injury woes continued on Monday night. It wasnt all doom and gloom for the United boss as he saw his team set up a quarter-final clash with West Ham and received the news that the injury to David de Gea is not as bad as initially feared.The Spanish goalkeeper missed a second game after suffering a knee injury in the warm-up ahead of last weeks FC Midtjylland defeat, but scans were positive with Van Gaal hopeful he may be available for the second leg. LVG jokes about sacking Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal shares joke about being sacked Goals from Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard ensured the visitors conquered their League One opponents to secure a last-eight spot in the FA Cup, but their burgeoning injury list clouded an otherwise positive evening.Youngster Joe Riley made his debut for the club, replacing Cameron Borthwick-Jackson forced off at half-time after a knock, while substitute Will Keane limped off with 14 minutes left, leaving United to finish the match with 10 men having made all their changes.The United boss also revealed that goalscorer Lingard picked up a knock, leaving the Dutchman with further selection problems ahead of their crucial Europa League second leg clash with FC Midtjylland on Thursday. Louis van Gaal shared a joke about being sacked after Monday nights FA cup win Their increasingly tough battle to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League continues at the weekend with the Super Sunday clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford.ddddddddddddUnited now have seven players who can play at full-back currently sidelined, with injuries to Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw, as well as Borthwick-Jackson.Striker Wayne Rooney will also be on the sidelines for six weeks with a knee problem.Van Gaal told Sky Sports News HQ: The second half I wanted to rest Anthony Martial and Mata but unfortunately Will Keane was injured again. United Cup joy Man Utd ease past Shrewsbury in fifth round We played with 10 men and in the end with nine because Lingard was struggling so it was very heavy for the other players.He joked that his substitutions had been not so good.Asked if the fresh injury concerns made it hard to pick a team for Thursdays Europa League clash with Midtjylland, Van Gaal said: Its much easier because I dont have many choices!United trail 2-1 from the first leg. Also See: United ease past Shrewsbury Committed United pleases LVG Round: Key spell for Van Gaal WATCH: LVG jokes about sacking ' ' '