| 0.0 : Hello and welcome to the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and England live from Kandy. It is not often you hear the Lankans losing a Test match against a foreign team. But they need to get their act together if they want to comeback in this Test series. Without Dinesh Chandimal out with an injury and Rangana Herath retiring, it is time for the experience of Angelo Mathews and other to contribute and put up a fight. Coming to the visitors they were brilliant both with the bat and ball. Keaton Jennings |
| TOSS - Joe Root has won his seventh straight toss and opts to bat. |
| TEAM NEWS - England named their team a day before the game with no changes. For the hosts, two forced changes. Roshen Silva and Malinda Pushpakumara come in for injured Dinesh Chandimal and retired Rangana Herath. |
| We are all set to get underway! England openers, Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings make their way out to take center stage. For the home team, skipper Suranga Lakmal will take the new cherry. 3 slips and a gully for him. |
| 0.1 : S Lakmal to Burns, Starts of with a full delivery on middle, Burns defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 0.2 : S Lakmal to Burns, Length delivery outside off, the batsman lets it be. |
| 0.3 : S Lakmal to Burns, Back of a length on middle, Rory defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 0.4 : S Lakmal to Burns, Four! Easy pickings there for Burns. Full delivery on middle, he flicks it towards mid on and the ball races away to the fence. First boundary of the innings. |
| 0.5 : S Lakmal to Burns, Length delivery outside off, the batsman lets it go. |
| 0.6 : S Lakmal to Burns, Identical delivery, Batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| Dilruwan Perera to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : D Perera to Jennings, Lovely. Loopy ball outside off. Keaton look to play it with a straight bat but gets beaten. |
| 1.2 : D Perera to Jennings, On leg, Jennings looks to paddle it but the it hits his pads and rolls towards fine leg. They take a leg bye. |
| 1.3 : D Perera to Burns, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 1.4 : D Perera to R Burns, Outside off again, Burns cuts it towards point. |
| 1.5 : D Perera to Burns, A bit flat on off, Burns rocks back and gives it to the point fielder. |
| 1.6 : D Perera to Burns, Turn from the first over itself. Loopy ball outside off, Burns looks to poke at it but is beaten again. |
| 2.1 : S Lakmal to Jennings, Length delivery angling it, Jennings works it to leg side for a single. |
| 2.2 : S Lakmal to Burns, In the channel outside off, Rory lets it be. |
| 2.3 : S Lakmal to Burns, Full on middle, Burns defends it from within the crease. |
| 2.4 : S Lakmal to Burns, Fuller length on middle, the batsman tucks it square leg. They rotate strike. |
| 2.5 : S Lakmal to Jennings, Length delivery came back a bit. Keation tried to poke at it but misses it completely. |
| 2.6 : S Lakmal to Jennings, Back of a length outside off, Jennins shoulders arms to it. |
| 3.1 : D Perera to Burns, Full on middle, the batsman tried to flick it but it hits the pad. |
| 3.2 : D Perera to Burns, Little bit flatter from Perera, Burns hangs back and defends it off the back foot. |
| 3.3 : D Perera to Burns, Tossed up on middle, Rory defends it off the front foot by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 3.4 : D Perera to Burns, Arm ball from Dilruwan, struck the front pad of the batsman. The bowler appeals but the umpire does not react to it. |
| 3.5 : D Perera to Burns, Flighted on middle, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 3.6 : D Perera to Burns, On middle, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.1 : S Lakmal to Jennings, Comes from around the wicket and lands it full outside off, Keaton is not bothered to play at it. |
| 4.2 : S Lakmal to Jennings, Better. Gets this one to come back in. On a good length, nips back in. Keaton points his bat skywards to let it through. |
| 4.3 : S Lakmal to Jennings, OUT! Edged and taken! First blow for England and some good bowling from the skipper. Got one to go come in previously and this one just goes away to get the edge. Fuller ball around off, moves away a bit. Keaton is forward to play at it. The ball gets a thick edge and Dickwella at the back makes no mistake. The match-winner of the 2nd innings of the first game falls early and this is just the start the hosts needed. |
| Ben Stokes is the new man in. This is the first time he will be batting at the no. 3 position. Can he do well? |
| 4.4 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Full and around off, Stokes blocks it out. |
| 4.5 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Drags his length back on off, Stokes shoulders his arms to it. |
| 4.6 : S Lakmal to Stokes, FOUR! Easy pickings. Full and down leg, Stokes shuffles across and flicks it through square leg for a boundary to get off the mark. |
| 5.1 : D Perera to Burns, Little bit quicker on off, Rory pushes it towards point for a couple of runs. |
| 5.2 : D Perera to Burns, On middle, Burns taps it to the point region. |
| 5.3 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR! Good shot that. Tosses it up on middle, the batsman goes in one knee and sweeps it fine towards deep sqaure leg for and the ball races away to the boundary. |
| 5.4 : D Perera to Burns, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.5 : D Perera to Burns, Loopy delivery on middle, Burns leans forward and defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 5.6 : D Perera to Burns, Quicker delivery around off, Rory drives it sweetly through mid on. |
| 6.1 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Good length around off, Stokes is confident in his defense. |
| 6.2 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Another very confident and positive shot! This was slightly fuller in length around middle, Ben Stokes punches it towards mid on. The fielder fumbles but no runs conceded. |
| 6.3 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Three! Slightly short and outside off, Stokes nicely guides it through backward point for three. Runs will keep coming till the time Stokes is out there. |
| 6.4 : S Lakmal to Burns, On the pads, the batsman works it through square leg for a single. |
| 6.5 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Around off, Stokes walks down the track and defends it towards mid off. |
| 6.6 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Back of a length on off, Stokes gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 7.1 : D Perera to Stokes, Flatter delivery on middle, Stokes strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 7.2 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR! His third of the innings.Full delivery from Dilruwan, Rory sweeps it fine towards dep sqaure leg and the ball races away to the boundary. |
| 7.3 : D Perera to Burns, Back of a length on middle, Burns taps it towards point. |
| 7.4 : D Perera to Burns, Floats it up on middle, Rory defends it with a straight bat. |
| 7.5 : D Perera to Burns, Flatter trajectory from Dilruwan on off, Burns hangs back and defends it off the back foot. |
| 7.6 : D Perera to Burns, On middle, the batsman drives it through the cover region. |
| 8.1 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Changes the angle and bowls it from over the wicket. He lands it on a length around off, Stokes defends it onto the ground. |
| 8.2 : S Lakmal to Stokes, He has come out with an attacking approach here. Walks down the track and flicks it nicely but finds the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Good change in length there! The bumper and it is probably the first one. Stokes however, is in control of his pull shot and he plays it all along the ground towards deep square leg for a single. Not a bad move by Lakmal that with a fielder in the deep. |
| 8.4 : S Lakmal to Burns, Way too wide outside off, tempting Burns to play a loose shot. He resists and makes a leave. |
| 8.5 : S Lakmal to Burns, Shuffles right across and the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 8.6 : S Lakmal to Burns, Lands it on a length and around off, Burns is half-forward and keeps it out. |
| 9.1 : D Perera to Stokes, Flatter on middle, Stokes hangs back and pushes it towards point. |
| 9.2 : D Perera to Stokes, On middle, Stokes leans forward and defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.3 : D Perera to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 9.4 : D Perera to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Review time! An appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Lakmal has signaled the 'T'. Looks high. Ben Stokes is the man in question. |
| 9.5 : D Perera to Stokes, NOT OUT! Umpire's call but a good review in the end! It ended up to be much closer than we thought. This is was bowled flatter and around middle, the ball straightens a touch. Stokes is on the back foot as he tries to block but plays for the original trajectory. It hits him high on the pads. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. After a chat, Suranga signals the 'T'. Replays roll in and it shows the ball to be clipping the top of the stumps. Lanka do not lose |
| 9.6 : D Perera to Stokes, On the off pole, the batsman lunges and keeps it out. |
| 10.1 : S Lakmal to Burns, Back of a length on middle, Rory defends it with a straight bat. |
| 10.2 : S Lakmal to Burns, Back of a length on middle, Burns taps it to the off side. |
| 10.3 : S Lakmal to Ben Stokes, FOUR! EXQUISITE! Overpitched from Lakmal, Stokes leans forward and drives it firmly through mid on and the ball races to the fence. Brilliant shot that. |
| 10.4 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Length delivery on middle, Stokes defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 10.5 : S Lakmal to Stokes, Back of a length around off, Stokes pushes it to the off side. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 10.6 : S Lakmal to Burns, Full length delivery on middle, Rory clips it through fine for a single. |
| 11.1 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR! Short and wide and it is asking to be put away! Burns does exactly that as he cuts it through point and the ball races away. |
| 11.2 : D Perera to Burns, Short again and Burns punches it through covers for a single. |
| 11.3 : D Perera to Stokes, Better this one! A touch slower and it is on middle, goes on with the arm. Stokes tries to defend but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. Burns wants a run but is sent back. |
| 11.4 : D Perera to Stokes, Brings out the paddle and plays it nice and fine. A couple taken. |
| 11.5 : D Perera to Stokes, Tosses it up on off, Stokes defends it. Perera consistently needs to bowl this length and line. |
| 11.6 : D Perera to Ben Stokes, Two good balls to end! Flighted and on off, Stokes reaches out and keeps it out. |
| Malinda Pushpakumara is into the attack. |
| 12.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Flatter delivery on middle, Rory defends it off the back foot and into the ground. |
| 12.2 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Tosses it up on middle, Burns pushes it straight back to the bowler. |
| 12.3 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Full on middle, Burns clips it to the leg side. |
| 12.4 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Identical delivery, Rory tucks it to the mid-wicket region. |
| 12.5 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Gives a bit of air on off, the batsman drives it straight to the bowler. |
| 12.6 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, On middle, Rory flicks it straight to the the mid-wicket fielder. Starts off with a maiden. |
| 13.1 : D Perera to Stokes, Misfield! It is the skipper, Lakmal who is the culprit. Stokes uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He still manages to drives it towards mid off and that too firmly. Lakmal slides and tries to stop but misfields. Concedes an extra run. |
| 0.0 : A huge appeal but not given! Stokes is once again the man in question and Lakmal has reviewed straight away. Looks very close this one. |
| 13.2 : Perera to Stokes, OUT! Prodigious use of the review by Lanka! That looked really, really close and Hawk Eye returns three reds. Stokes there was beaten in length I feel. This is tossed up around off, Stokes goes back to a ball which he could have played forward. He tries to defend for the original trajectory but it straightens. Beats the outside edge of Stokes' bat and hits him on the back pad. A huge appeal follows but the umpire does not agree. Lakmal straightaway goes for the review. Re |
| Drinks! Also, Joe Root is the new man in. |
| 13.3 : D Perera to Root, Tosses it up around off, Root defends it onto the ground. |
| 13.4 : D Perera to Root, Works it with the turn through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 13.5 : D Perera to Burns, Fires it outside off, Burns throws his bat at it but gets it off the inner half towards covers. |
| 13.6 : D Perera to R Burns, EDGED BUT SHORT! En excellent over by Perera comes to an end! This is floated on off, it pitches and then turns away. Takes the outside edge of Burns bat but falls just short of the first slip fielder. |
| 14.1 : Pushpakumara to Root, No run. |
| 14.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full on middle, Root defends it of the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Good intent from Root. Flighted delivery on middle, He comes down the track and goes uppishly over mid on for a boundary. |
| 14.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Floats it up on middle, Root strkes it to wide mid on for a single. |
| 14.5 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Quicker on off, Rory pushes it to covers for a single. |
| 14.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, On middle, Root tucks it straight to the leg side. |
| 15.1 : D Perera to Burns, That was close! Excellent effort! Actually, it would have been out had it hit the stumps. Burns dances down the track and flicks it towards short leg. Mendis there who is really sharp, sticks his hand out to the right. The ball sticks and then has a shy at the striker's end. Luckily for Burns it misses the stumps. |
| 15.2 : D Perera to Burns, Flatter again but it is a little too straight. Worked around the corner for a run. |
| 15.3 : D Perera to Root, Tosses it up on off, Root defends it onto the ground. |
| 15.4 : D Perera to Joe Root, A little too full this time, Root times it to mid on. |
| 15.5 : D Perera to Root, Eases this through mid on and takes a run. |
| 15.6 : D Perera to R Burns, Slightly short and outside off, Burns goes back and guides it through point for a brace. |
| 16.1 : M Pushpakumara to Joe Root, Full toss in middle, Root drives it to long on for a single. |
| 16.2 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Full on middle, Rory defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 16.3 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Quicker on middle, Burns goes in one knee and sweeps it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 16.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root,Fires it on off, Root pushes it to ther cover region. |
| 16.5 : M Pushpakumara to Joe Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root strokes it to long on. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 16.6 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Tosses it up on middle, Burns pushes it straight to the bowler. |
| 17.1 : D Perera to Root, Tosses it up on off, Root has drives it to the point region for a single. |
| 17.2 : D Perera to Burns, Fullish length on middle, Burns works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.3 : D Perera to Joe Root, Fuller delivery on middle, Root works it off side. |
| 17.4 : D Perera to Root, On middle, the batsman defends it with a straight bat. |
| 17.5 : D Perera to Root, Quicker on middle, Root defends it off the back foot and into the ground |
| 17.6 : D Perera to Root, On middle, Root defends it from within the crease. |
| 18.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Sweeps it nicely with the turn through mid-wicket. A run taken. |
| 18.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Gives it air on middle, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 18.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! No one out in the deep so a boundary! Root goes down on one knee and sweeps it well, through square leg and it races away. |
| 18.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A little flatter on off, Root goes back and guides it to point. |
| 18.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Loopy ball on off, Root pords forward and blocks it out. |
| 18.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, OUT! TIMBER! Pushpakumara strikes! All three bowlers to have bowled now have one apiece. The straighter one does the trick. It is on off and it comes back in with the angle. Root tries to defend leaving a gap between bat and pad. The ball takes the inside edge, hits the pads and then the stumps. England's talisman falls cheaply and once again it is a left-arm spinner who gets him. Three out of three against that type of a bowler. England's top order once again fails |
| Jos Buttler replaces his skipper. |
| 19.1 : D Perera to Burns, Flatter trajectory on middle, Burns taps it to the cover region. |
| 19.2 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR! Dilruwan bowls it full on middle, Rory goes in one knee and sweeps it firmly through deep sqaure leg for a boundary. The fielder tries to stop it but it crosses the fence. |
| 19.3 : Perera to Burns, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman tries to defend it off the back foot, the ball straightens a bit and hits the back pad. The bowler appeals but looked like it was missing the stumps. |
| 19.4 : D Perera to Burns, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 19.5 : D Perera to Burns, Fuller on middle, Burns flicks it to the leg side. |
| 19.6 : D Perera to Burns, Short and wide outside off, Burns tries to slash it hard but misses it completely. Good take by the keeper. |
| 20.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Slower through the air on middle, Buttler defends it. |
| 20.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Floats it up on middle, Buttler gets it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 20.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Uses his feet and drives it nicely but to the man at cover. |
| A stumping appeal has been taken up. Good glove work from Dickwella but Buttler looks to be safe. |
| 20.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, NOT OUT! Buttler has made it in! That was vicious turn and bounce there for Pushpakumara. This was tossed up around off, it pitches, bounces a touch more and spins away quite a lot. Buttler tries to force it through the off side but is beaten. He drags his foot out and Dickwella collects the ball and whips the bails off. He appeals and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and it shows Buttler is safe. |
| 20.5 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 20.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, On the stumps, it is kept out. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva comes into the attack. |
| 21.1 : de Silva to Burns, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Burns flicks it to the leg side. |
| 21.2 : de Silva to Burns, Flatter trajectory on middle, Burns rocks back and punches it to the cover region. |
| 21.3 : de Silva to Burns, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 21.4 : de Silva to Burns, Silva pushes it through on middle, Burns hangs back and punches it through point for a single. |
| 21.5 : de Silva to Buttler, Quicker on off, Butler has pushed it to the mid on fielder. |
| 21.6 : de Silva to Buttler, Fullish length on middle, Butler works it to the fine leg region for a run. |
| 22.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Plays the paddle towards fine leg and a couple taken. |
| 22.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Takes it on the full and paddle sweeps it fine for another couple. Buttler will keep finding ways to score. |
| 22.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, BEAUTIFUL! Floats it up around off, it pitches and turns away. Buttler tries to play it with an open face but is beaten by the turn away. |
| 22.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Good stop! Dilruwan saves a boundary! The reverse sweep comes out and it is hit well towards backward point. Perera there dives to his left and makes a good half-stop. Two taken. |
| 22.5 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Once again brings the reverse sweep out but finds the fielder at point. |
| 22.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Lovely shot! Now brings out the paddle sweep, hits it well for a brace. Bowl it on the stumps, he will paddle sweep you, bowl it outside off, he brings out the reverse sweep. Very tough to bowl at such batsman. |
| 23.1 : de Silva to Burns, Little bit fuller on middle, Rory leans forward and tries to defend it but was hit on the pads. Luckily Rory gets the inside edge of the bat otherwise he would have been a goner. |
| 23.2 : de Silva to Burns, Tosses it up on middle, Rory pushes it the cover region for a single. |
| 23.3 : de Silva to Buttler, Flighted delivery on middle, Buttler gets the leading edge and the ball rolls it to the off side. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 23.4 : de Silva to Burns, Fuller on off, Burns pushes it to the mid-off region. |
| 23.5 : de Silva to Burns, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.6 : de Silva to Burns, Flatter in length on off, Burns hangs back and punches it off the back foot. The ball goes straight to the mid off region. |
| 24.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Once again plays the reverse sweep, it is not off the middle but the batsmen take a single as the ball goes through point. |
| 24.2 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Slower through the air on middle, Burns works it fine down the leg side and takes two. |
| 24.3 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Plays the sweep and it is in the gap through the square leg region. Another brace. |
| 24.4 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, This is tossed up outside off, Burn goes for the reverse sweep but hits it onto the ground. Dhananjaya stops it. |
| 24.5 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 24.6 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Eases this through mid on for a run. |
| Akila Dananjaya to roll his arm. |
| 25.1 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Starts of with a fuller delivery on middle, Rory defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 25.2 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Drags his length short, Burns hangs back and cuts it through point for a run. |
| 25.3 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Nicely floated delivery around off, Burns tries to sweep it but the ball spins away and misses the outside edge of the bat. Good delivery that from the offie. |
| 25.4 : Dananjaya to Burns, A huge appeal but not given! This is flighted around off, it turns away. Bruns brings out the sweep. There is a noise as the ball passes the bat. Dickwella takes it and like he always does, puts in a loud appeal. The umpire is unmoved. The Lankans opt against the review and rightly so. Replays show that the noise was off the bat hitting the ground. |
| Have Sri Lanka got another? They have gone upstairs to check if the catch is clean. |
| 25.5 : A Dananjaya to Burns, OUT! It is clean as a whistle! The bowling change has done the trick. Akila strikes in his first over. A good catch by Dhananjaya de Silva. This is bowled slower through the air on off. The ball pitches and turns away. Burns plays inside the line, the ball takes the outside edge and goes low towards first slip. Dhananjaya seems to have taken it inches above the ground. Sri Lanka start celebrating and Burns starts walking back. The umpires though ask him to wait as th |
| 25.6 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Floats it up on off, Ali blocks it out. |
| 26.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Fuller and quicker on middle, Buttler defends it from within the crease. |
| 26.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Similar delivery, Buttler pushes it straight to the point region. |
| 26.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler leans forward and tries to defend it but the gets the inside half of the bat and the ball rolls it to the leg side for a run. |
| 26.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Buttler reverse sweeps it through the fine leg for a single. |
| 26.5 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Full on middle, Ali tries to sweep it but was hit on the pads. Bowler appeals but the umpire is not interested. |
| 26.6 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Flatter trajectory on middle, Ali defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.1 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, FOUR! Swept and swept hard! This is full and outside off, Buttler plants his front foot outside the line of off and then sweeps it crisply through square leg for a boundary. |
| 27.2 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! Once again Buttler plays the sweep shot and gets the desired result. It is creamed through square leg. Need not run for those. |
| 27.3 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, FOUR! Make that three in three! Through the off side this time. They brought in an extra fielder on the leg side from the off side so Buttler decides to play the reverse, connects well through point and a boundary results. 100 up for England. |
| 27.4 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, From around the wicket bowls it down the leg side, Buttler tries playing the conventional sweep but misses. |
| 27.5 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, Works it with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 27.6 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, Reverse sweep towards deep point for a run. 13 from this over. |
| 28.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Fuller length on middle, Buttler reverse sweeps it through deep point for a single. |
| 28.2 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Full on middle, Ali paddles it through fine leg for a run. |
| 28.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, FOUR! Reverse sweep again from Buttler. Full toss on his pads, Buttler sweeps it crisply through deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 28.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Fires it on middle, Buttler sweeps it again towards sqaure leg . The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 28.5 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Flatter on middle, Ali rocks back and tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 28.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, FOUR! Superb from Buttler again. It was bowled full on middle, Buttler goes down in one knee and creams it through deep square leg for a boundary. |
| Dilruwan Perera to bowl the last over before Lunch. |
| 29.1 : D Perera to Ali, Tosses it up on off, Moeen Ali defends it out. |
| 29.2 : D Perera to Ali, Fires it on middle, Ali works it to mid-wicket. |
| 29.3 : D Perera to Ali, Down the leg side and it is swept to fine leg for a run. |
| 29.4 : D Perera to Buttler, Buttler has either swept or has defended. Once again he brings out the paddle sweep through short fine leg for a brace. |
| 29.5 : D Perera to Buttler, Surprisingly does not play the sweep shot this time as it is on the shorter side. He goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 29.6 : D Perera to Ali, Tosses it up around off, Ali tries to defend but gets an outside edge towards the backward point region. A single taken. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| Both the sides will be happy after the first session. England, because they have managed to score runs at a good rate. Sri Lanka, because they have got rid of the English top order. After electing to bat, the visitors lost Jennings early. Stokes then came out in his new batting position, looked fluent to start with but could not make most of the start. Root too, fell cheaply. Burns and Buttler did try and build a partnership of some sort but it was cut short as Burns fell 7 short of a half ton. |
| Sri Lanka on the other hand, were excellent to begin with. They hit the right lines and lengths and the wicket also assisted them. Each of their bowlers, except for Dhananjaya has a wicket. However, they had England in a similar position in the first Test but failed to capitalize. This time though they would not want to repeat the mistakes from the last game. |
| Will Sri Lanka bowl the tourists out cheaply or will the English lower order once again come to their rescue? Join us in a while to find out. |
| ... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes will resume their innings. Malinda Pushpakumara will start the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 30.1 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Ali tucks it to the leg side. |
| 30.2 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Full on middle, Ali pushes it to mid off. |
| 30.3 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Quicker on middle, Ali sweeps it to the fine leg region for a single. |
| 30.4 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Little bit slower down the leg side, Moeen tries to sweep but hits the pad. |
| 30.5 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, On middle, Ali flicks it to the mid-wicket region. |
| 30.6 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Floats it up on middle, Ali works it to the on side for a run. |
| Suranga Lakmal to bowl from the other end. |
| 31.1 : S Lakmal to Ali, Fuller delivery outside off, Ali leans forward and drives it through covers for a run. |
| 31.2 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Back of a length on middle, Buttler defends it off the back foot and into the ground. |
| 31.3 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler drives it straight to the cover fielder. |
| 31.4 : S Lakmal to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 31.5 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Back of a length on middle, Buttler tucks it to the leg side. |
| 31.6 : S Lakmal to Buttler, A tad fuller, Buttler pushes it to the cover. |
| 32.1 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Drags his length short, Ali hangs back ans works it through square leg for a single. |
| 32.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Fires it quicker on off, Buttler tries to revers sweep it but it takes the bottom edge and it rolls to the first slip fielder. |
| 32.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Full on middle, Jos pushes it to the cover region. |
| 32.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Quicker on off, the batsman rocks back and pushes it to the cover region. |
| 32.5 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, FOUR! Too easy for Buttler. This was tossed up on off, Buttler goes on one knee and sweeps it through deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 32.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Bowls it quicker again this time, Buttler reverse sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 33.1 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Length delivery on middle, Butter opens the face of the bat and guides it third man for a couple of runs. |
| 33.2 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Back of length on middle, Jos shuffles across and tucks it towards the square leg for a brace. |
| 33.3 : S Lakmal to Ali, Length delivery outside off, Ali shoulders arms to it. |
| 33.4 : S Lakmal to Ali, Back of a length on middle, Moeen defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 33.5 : S Lakmal to Ali, Outside off, Batsman lets it go. |
| 33.6 : S Lakmal to Ali, Just a tad short, Moeen ali punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 34.1 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, Works it with the turn towards mid-wicket. |
| 0.0 : Sri Lanka have reviewed an LBW decision given them. Moeen Ali is the man in question. Looks like it will be going down the leg side. |
| 34.2 : M Pushpakumara to Ali, OUT! That is hitting the middle of leg stump and Moeen Ali has been given his marching orders. Did not see that coming, at first, it looked like it would spin down the leg side but Hawk Eye has proven us wrong. Pushpakumara bowls this a touch shorter in length around middle, it comes in with the angle. Ali goes back to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. Lakmal asks his keeper and bowler and then reviews it. Repl |
| Ben Foakes walks out to bat. |
| 34.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Tosses it up on off, Foakes defends it out. |
| 34.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Another tossed up delivery, it is pushed to covers. |
| 34.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy ball on off, Foakes defends it out. |
| 34.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Gives it air again, Foakes is solid in defense. |
| 35.1 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Fuller on middle from Lakmal, Foakes pushes it to mid on. |
| 35.2 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Short on middle, Ben quickly gets on the position and pulls it towards deep sqaure leg for a brace. |
| 35.3 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Full on middle, the batsman watchfully defends it. |
| 35.4 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Length delivery on off, Ben opens the face of the bat and taps it to second slip. The fielder misfields and batsmen sneak a single. |
| 35.5 : S Lakmal to Buttler, In the channel around off, Butler leans forward and defends it presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 35.6 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Back of a length on around off, Butler punches it off the back foot towards mid off for a single. |
| 36.1 : Pushpakumara to Buttler, Full on off, Buttler tries to reverse sweep it but hits the toe end pf the bat and the ball rolls it to slip. |
| 36.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Buttler gets into the position early and reverse sweeps it through square leg for a run. |
| 36.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle, Foakes plays away from the body and gets the thick outside edge and the ball rolls it towards backward point. |
| 36.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flatter on middle, Ben punches it off the back foot. |
| 36.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 36.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Full on middle, the batsman works it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 37.1 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Good length around off, Foakes guides it towards point for a quick run. Good running that. |
| 37.2 : S Lakmal to Buttler, Fifty for Buttler, it is his 11th in this format. It is also the second fastest fifty by an English batsman in Sri Lanka. A solid counter-attacking innings, full of sweeps and reverse sweeps. He though knows his job is not yet done and England would hope he can stay out there for long. He gets to the milestone by pulling this ball hard towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 37.3 : S Lakmal to Foakes, FOUR! Delightful! How good was that shot? Full and around off, Foakes gets his front foot towards the pitch of the ball and then times it through covers. |
| 37.4 : S Lakmal to Ben Foakes, Fullish again but this is closer to the off pole. Foakes strokes it to mid off. |
| 37.5 : S Lakmal to Foakes, A little too wide outside off, left alone. |
| 37.6 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Good length on off, it is guided towards point. |
| 38.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, FOUR! 150 comes up with that boundary. It was full toss on middle, Jos reverse sweeps it through deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 38.2 : M Pushpakumara to Jos Buttler, Full on middle, Jos plays the same shot but this time for a run. |
| 38.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Quicker on middle, Foakes plays it with a striaght bat. |
| 38.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Four! This time by Foakes. Little bit slower from the bowler on middle, Ben goes on one knee and sweeps it through deep fine. Umpire singals a boundary. |
| 38.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 38.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Full on off, Foakes drives it straight to the covers. |
| Dilruwan Perera is back on. |
| 39.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Flatter and on middle, Buttler goes back and tucks it around the corner for a run. |
| 39.2 : D Perera to Foakes, Tosses it up on middle, Ben comes down the track and flicks it towards leg side. |
| 39.3 : D Perera to Foakes, Full on middle, the batsman sweeps it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 39.4 : D Perera to Buttler, Appeal for LBW. It was nicely tossed up, Buttler tries to reverse sweep it, the ball spins back a bit, and hits the back pad. It was looking close from the naked eye. But the Umpire shows no interest in the appeal. |
| 39.5 : D Perera to Buttler, Fuller on middle, Buttler works it through mid-wicket. |
| 39.6 : D Perera to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 40.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Floats it up on middle, it is worked with the angle through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 40.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Brings out the reverse sweep but it goes off the inner half towards short third man for a single. |
| 40.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, FOUR! Poor ball and it has been put away! Short and outside off, Foakes has all the time in the world to rock back and cut it through point. A boundary. |
| 40.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Floats it up on off, Foakes defends it onto the ground. |
| 40.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Slower through the air on off, BF pushes it to covers. |
| 40.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On the stumps and it has been kept out. |
| 41.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Flighted on middle, Buttler dances down the track and strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 41.2 : D Perera to Foakes, Full on middle, Foakes flicks it through mid-wicket. |
| 41.3 : D Perera to Ben Foakes, OUT! Another one bites the dust and Sri Lanka are right on top here. Foakes, the hero of the last game, walks back cheaply this time. This is tossed up outside off, Foakes plants his front foot outside the crease and tries to sweep. The ball takes a faint inside edge, hits his pads and then goes to the slip fielder. Dhananjaya de Silva there is safe as houses. The Lankans start celebrating but Foakes waits. The umpire then raises his finger and Ben starts walking ba |
| Sam Curran is the new man in. |
| 41.4 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter and on off, Curran guides it to the point region. |
| 41.5 : D Perera to Curran, Floats it up on middle, it is kept out. |
| 41.6 : D Perera to Curran, On the shorter side, it is kept out. |
| 42.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler reverse sweeps it towards deep point for a run. |
| 42.2 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Flighted on middle, Sam defends it wit a straight bat. |
| 42.3 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, On middle, Curran strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 42.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Buttler reverse sweeps it again through point. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 42.5 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, A tad fuller on middle, SC defends it from with the crease. |
| 42.6 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Drinks! |
| 43.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Flighted delivery from Dilruwan but the ball spins away and keeper collects it behind the stumps. |
| 43.2 : D Perera to Buttler, Tossed it up on middle, Buttler comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 43.3 : D Perera to Buttler, Floats it up on middle, Jos works it towards leg side for a single. |
| 43.4 : D Perera to Curran, Gives a bit of air, Curran tries to leans forward but missed the outside edge of the bat. |
| 43.5 : D Perera to Curran, Brilliant delivery again. Tosses it up on middle, the ball spins away and the ball misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 43.6 : D Perera to Curran, Little bit fuller on middle, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 44.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 44.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Slightly shorter and outside off, the batsman pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 44.3 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Floats it up on off, Curran keeps it out. |
| 44.4 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Loopy ball on off, Curran is solid in defense. |
| 44.5 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Flighted ball on off, it is kept out. |
| 44.6 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Floated around off, this is pushed to covers. |
| 45.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler sweeps it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 45.2 : D Perera to Curran, Flighted on middle, SC defends it with a straight bat. |
| 45.3 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter trajectory arround off, Curran tries to poke at it but misses it completely. |
| Stumping appeal has been taken upstairs! Curran is the man in question. |
| 45.4 : D Perera to Curran, NOT OUT! Curran has his foot inside and he has his bat inside on the second attempt. This is tossed up outside off, Curran is forward in defense. The ball pitches and turns away. Dickwella whips the bails off and appeals. Curran then falls over, Dickwella however sees that and then takes a stump out and continues his appeal. The umpire refers it upstairs. Replays show that Curran is home in both the occasion. Dickwella was a little hesitant the second time, had he not h |
| 45.5 : D Perera to Curran, Works it to mid-wicket with the angle. |
| 45.6 : D Perera to Curran, Floats it up on middle, kept out. |
| 46.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, OUT! You live by the sword you die by it. The reverse sweep and sweep was so productive before this for Buttler one but unfortunately he has to walk back. Tossed up ball on middle and leg. Jos looks to reverse sweep this one but gets a top edge towards backward point. Dimuth Karunaratne there gets under it and makes no mistake. A good counter-attacking innings comes to an end. Can the hosts wrap up things quickly now? |
| 0.0 : Adil Rashid is the next man in. |
| 46.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Flighted delivery on middle, Adil defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 46.3 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Full on middle, Rashid drives it striaght to the cover region. |
| 46.4 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Tossed up on middle, Adil comes down the track and strokes it towards long on for a single. |
| 46.5 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Loopy delivery on middle, Sam tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 46.6 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Gives a bit of air on off, Adil leans forward and drives it uppishly towards covers but luckily in the gap. Batsmen get a run. |
| 47.1 : D Perera to Rashid, This is down the leg side, Rashid fails to flick. The ball bruhses the pads and goes fine down the leg side for a leg bye. |
| 47.2 : D Perera to Curran, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 47.3 : D Perera to Curran, Another tossed up ball, the batsman is solid in defense. |
| 47.4 : D Perera to Curran, A good leave in the end! This is flatter and around off, Curran leaves thinking it will turn away. This one holds its line and goes close past the off pole. |
| 47.5 : D Perera to Curran, Floats it up on off, the batter blocks it out. |
| 47.6 : D Perera to Curran, Gives it air on off, Curran strokes it to covers. |
| 48.1 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Full on middle, Rashid defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Flighted on off, Adil leans forward and pushes it towards point. |
| 48.3 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Identical delivery, AR drives it towards covers. |
| 48.4 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 48.5 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Flatter on middle, Rashid hangs back and punches it off the back foot. |
| 48.6 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 49.1 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter trajectory on middle, Curran punches it off the back foot. The batsmen get a run. |
| 49.2 : D Perera to Rashid, Loopy delivery on off, Rashid tries to push it but misses it completely. |
| 49.3 : D Perera to A Rashid, Fuller on middle, Rashid strokes it to long on for a single, |
| 49.4 : D Perera to Curran, Flighted delivery on middle, Sam gets the thick outside edge of the bat and the ball rolls it to off side. |
| 49.5 : D Perera to Curran, Tosses it up on middle, Curran eases it to long off for a run. |
| 49.6 : D Perera to Rashid, Drags his length short on middle, Rashid tucks it the fine leg. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 50.1 : M Pushpakumara to Sam Curran, Curran says, enough of the dots. He steps down and tries to go big but it goes off the inner half down to long on for a run. |
| 50.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Floats it up on off, the batsman defends it out. |
| 50.3 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Gives it a loop around middle, it is defended. |
| 50.4 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, It is slower through the air around off, Rashid goes back and guides it through point for a run. |
| 50.5 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Works it with the turn towards mid-wicket. |
| 50.6 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Floated on middle, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| Akila Dananjaya is back on. |
| 51.1 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Drags it short, Adil tucks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 51.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Little bit quicker on middle, Sam defends it from within the crease. |
| 51.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Shorter in length again, Curran punches it to long on for a run. |
| 51.4 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Loopy delivery on middle, Adil defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 51.5 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Tosses it up on middle, Adil leans forward and defends but gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls it to the first slip. |
| 51.6 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Quicker on off, Adil pushes it to point for a run. |
| 52.1 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 52.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Little bit short on middle, Adil defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 52.3 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, SIX! SMASHED! Loopy delivery on middle, Rashid comes down the track and smashes it over long of for a huge maximum. |
| 52.4 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Full on middle, AR pushes it towards the cover region for a run. |
| 52.5 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Flaater through the air on middle, the batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 52.6 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Loopy delivery on middle, Curran gets the inside edge. Hits the pad and the ball rolls it to the slip fielder. |
| 53.1 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Flighted ball on off, Rashid defends it out. |
| 53.2 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Very full on middle, the batsman goes to flick but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 53.3 : A Dananjaya to A Rashid, FOUR! Nice shot! Never easy to play against the turn. It was floated on the stumps, Rashid makes room and then drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 53.4 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Flatter and around off, Rashid goes back and defends it onto the ground. |
| 53.5 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, With the angle works it around the corner for a run. |
| 53.6 : A Dananjaya to Sam Curran, Flighted delivery on middle, Akila drives it to mid off. |
| 54.1 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Flighted delivery on middle, Adil defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 54.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Full on middle, Adil psuhes it towards point. |
| 54.3 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Quicker on middle, Rashid strokes it to long on for a run. |
| 54.4 : M Pushpakumara to Sam Curran, Tosses it up on middle, Sam leans forward ans drives it through wide on. They get a run. |
| 54.5 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 54.6 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Flatter through the air on off, Rashid punches it off the back foot. |
| 55.1 : A Dananjaya to Curran, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 55.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Loopy delivery on middle, Curran defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 55.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Loopy delivery on middle, Sam leans forward and defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 55.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Fuller on middle, Curran drives it straight to the bowler. |
| 55.5 : A Dananjaya to Sam Curran, Flatter on off, Sam cuts it hard and it flies over the slip and batsmen get three runs for it. |
| 55.6 : A Dananjaya to A Rashid, A touch fuller on middle, Rashid drives it towards mid on for a run. |
| Suranga Lakmal is back on. |
| 56.1 : S Lakmal to Rashid, FOUR! Good shot that. Back of a length delivery on middle, Rashid rocks back and cuts it towards cover-region for a boundary. |
| 56.2 : S Lakmal to Rashid, Full on middle, Rashid drives it towards covers for a run. |
| 56.3 : S Lakmal to Curran, Back of a length on middle, Curran has punched it off the back foot. |
| 56.4 : S Lakmal to Curran, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.5 : S Lakmal to Curran, A touch fuller on this occasion, Curran leans forward and drives it straight to the mid- off region. |
| 56.6 : S Lakmal to Curran, On middle, Curran watchfully keeps it out. |
| 57.1 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Nicely tossed up around off, Rashid blocks it out. |
| 57.2 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Shorter in length on middle, it is pushed down to long on for a run. |
| 57.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Gives it air on middle, Curran defends it onto the ground. |
| 57.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Another loopy ball on middle, it is kept out. |
| 57.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, BEAUTY! This is bowled flatter and quicker around off, it pitches and then turns away sharply, beating the outside edge of Curran's bat. |
| 57.6 : A Dananjaya to Curran, On the shorter side, Curran goes back and pushes it to covers. |
| 58.1 : S Lakmal to Rashid, Inside edge saves Rashid there! The in-dipper from Lakmal. Rashid goes for a drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 58.2 : S Lakmal to Rashid, Once again tries to hit the pads of Rashid but the batter gets his bat down in time and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 58.3 : S Lakmal to Rashid, Good length around off, Rashid gets behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 58.4 : S Lakmal to Rashid, On the fuller side, Rashid strokes it towards mid off. |
| 58.5 : S Lakmal to Rashid, On a length and around off, Rashid defends it onto the ground. |
| 58.6 : S Lakmal to Rashid, Wide outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 59.1 : A Dananjaya to Curran, On the shorter side around off, Curran pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 59.2 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Flatter and on middle, Rashid uses his wrists and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 59.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, The attempted leg break but ends up bowling a full toss. Curran finds mid-wicket with his slog. |
| 59.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Another googly, this time it is tossed up. Curran makes the mistake of going back and trying to defend it but is beaten by the away turn. |
| 59.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Fires it on off, Curran guides it to point. |
| 59.6 : A Dananjaya to Curran, On the shorter side, the batsman cuts it through point for a run. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Another session which both the teams will be happy with. However, it could have been the Lankans who this session could have been awarded to. But once again it is England's lower order which is fighting hard. |
| Sri Lanka did manage to get Foakes and Moeen Ali early in the second session. Buttler then continued and he brought up his half ton. However, he fell and at that time England were in trouble at 171 for 7. Sam Curran and Adil Rashid though have come to the rescue and the two are amidst a 41-run stand. The tourists will somehow hope they can get past the 250-run mark which will be a good score. |
| Sri Lanka on the other hand, bowled really well in the initial stages of the session but once again lost it towards the end. However, another decent start to the third session will see them wrap this England batting. We have had two shared sessions till now, who will the third one go to? |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session of the day. Will these last 3 wickets make the Lankan bowler's toil or will the host clean them up? Curran and Rashid walk out while Pushpakumara will bowl the first over post Tea. |
| 60.1 : M Pushpakumara to Sam Curran, Full delivery on middle, Sam strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 60.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Tosses it up on middle, Rashid drives it to point for a run. |
| 60.3 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Flighted on middle, SC keeps it out. |
| 60.4 : M Pushpakumara to Curran, Full on middle, Sam eases it to long on for a run. |
| 60.5 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Loopy delivery on middle, Rashid defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.6 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Fullish in length on off, Rashid drives it towards cover. Batsmen rotate strike. |
| 61.1 : D Perera to A Rashid, Tossed up on middle, Adil drives it through covers. |
| 0.0 : Action straightaway! Rashid has been given out LBW. He reviews though. |
| 61.2 : D Perera to Rashid, OUT! That is plumb in front and Rashid has to continue his walk back. He takes a review along. This is flatter and around off, it pitches and turns back in. Rashid fails to get his bat down in time and it hits the back pad. An appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Rashid reviews, a desperate review one can say. Time for the replays and it shows three reds. A handy knock and a handy 45-run stand for England comes to an end. Perera gets his 3rd and once again Sri Lanka |
| Jack Leach is in at no. 10. |
| 61.3 : D Perera to J Leach, Edged but safe. Fuller and flatter on off, Leach tries to defend but gets an outside edge between the two slip fielders and down towards third man for a couple. That went along the ground though. Leach had played it with soft hands. |
| 61.4 : D Perera to Leach, Fuller outside off. It misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 61.5 : D Perera to J Leach, Tosses it up on middle, Leach drives it firmly through covers. |
| 61.6 : D Perera to Leach, Similar delivery the batsman taps it to the point region. |
| Akila Dananjaya is back on. |
| 62.1 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Full on middle, Sam defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 62.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Flighted on off, SC blocks it out. |
| 62.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Little bit quicker on off, Sam pushes it towards point for a run. |
| 62.4 : A Dananjaya to Leach, Gives a bit of air, Leach pokes and gets a thick outside edge but falls just short of the second slip fielder. |
| 62.5 : A Dananjaya to Leach, FOUR! WHACKED! Floats it up on middle, Leach goes in one knee and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 62.6 : A Dananjaya to Leach, On middle, the batsman has pushed it through the point region. |
| 63.1 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter on middle, Curran reverse sweeps it straight to the point fielder. |
| 63.2 : D Perera to Curran, Fires it on off, SC guides it through the point region. |
| 63.3 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter and quicker around off, Sam cuts it straight to the backward point fielder. |
| 63.4 : D Perera to Curran, Curran punches it off the backfoot. Batsman gets a run. |
| 63.5 : D Perera to Leach, Good delivery that. Tossed it up on middle, he leans forward and missed the outside edge of the bat. |
| 63.6 : D Perera to Leach, Quicker on middle, Leach pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 64.1 : A Dananjaya to Leach, BEATEN! Flatter and around off, the ball turns away. Leach gets beaten as he tries to defend. |
| 64.2 : A Dananjaya to Leach, Floats it up on middle, the batsman tries to flick but gets a soft leading edge back to the bowler. |
| 64.3 : A Dananjaya to Leach, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 64.4 : A Dananjaya to Leach, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! That is an absolute beauty! But once again, like quite a few English batsman, Jack Leach pays the price for not coming onto the front foot. This is tossed up on middle, Leach is rooted to his crease as he tries to defend. The ball spins past the outside edge and hits the top of off. End is nigh now for England. |
| James Anderson is the last man in. |
| Is that it? Anderson is given out LBW but he takes the review. Doesn't look out though. Let's find out. |
| 64.5 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, NOT OUT! Anderson survives as the impact is outside the off pole. Good use of the review by England this time. This is flatter and around middle, it pitches and turns square. Anderson's outside edge is beaten and it hits him on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Anderson has to review and he does so. Replays show that the on-field call has to be overturned. |
| 64.6 : A Dananjaya to J Anderson, DROPPED! Dickwella is the culprit. Tosses it up around off, this one pitches and turns away. Takes the outside edge of Anderson's bat as he tries to defend. It goes towards Niroshan who fails to hang on. He kicks the turf in disgust. The innings could have ended it but it is not the case. Curran is on strike now and he could add a few handy runs. He will surely attack now. |
| 65.1 : D Perera to Curran, Drags his length short, Sam comes down the track and pushes it towards point for a run. |
| 65.2 : D Perera to Anderson, Fuller on middle, Jimmy defends it from within the crease. |
| 65.3 : D Perera to Anderson,Floats it up on middle, Anderson reverse sweep it but the goes falls it striaght to the point fielder. |
| 65.4 : D Perera to Anderson, Quicker and flatter around off, the ball spins away sharp only to miss the outside edge of the bat. |
| 65.5 : D Perera to Anderson, On middle, Anderson sweeps it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 65.6 : D Perera to Curran, Fires it on middle, Curran pushes it through covers. 1 run added to the total. |
| 66.1 : A Dananjaya to Curran, The batsman defends it off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 66.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, SIX! What a shot! Tosses up delivery on middle, Curran comes down the track and smashes it over long on for a maximum. |
| 66.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Drifts on to his pads, Curran tries to flick it but misses it. |
| 66.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 66.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, SIX! Two in one over. Loopy delivery on middle, Sam dances down the track again and heaves it over long on for another maximum. |
| 66.6 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Little bit fuller on middle, SC drives it through mid on. Batsman rotate strike. Good over for England. |
| 67.1 : D Perera to Curran, Curran defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 67.2 : D Perera to Curran, On middle, Curran watchfully defends it. |
| 67.3 : D Perera to Curran, Little bit quicker on middle, Curran tries to flick it but it was struck on the thigh pad. |
| 67.4 : D Perera to Curran, On middle, SC comes down the track and jams it out. |
| A stumping appeal has been taken up. Touch and go this. |
| 67.5 : D Perera to Curran, NOT OUT! That was touch and go! Could have gone either way. This is tossed up around off, Curran tries to defend but is beaten by the turn away. Dickwella collects the ball and whips the bails off. An appeal follows and the umpire takes it upstairs. Time for the replays and it at first shows Curran's foot to be in the air, but on replays from different angles, it looks like he has his foot grounded. However, the third umpire has given the benefit of the doubt to the bat |
| 67.6 : D Perera to Curran, SIX! That is huge! What a shot! Curran dances down the track, also makes room and tonks it over the long off fence. |
| 68.1 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, FOUR! 250 up for England. The dropped catch has been proving costly for Lankans.It was bowled full on middle, Anderson sweeps it towards fine leg for a boundary. These are important runs for England. |
| 68.2 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, Anderson tried to reverse sweep it but gets the toe end of the bat and the ball goes in between the keepers leg and they sneak a single. |
| 68.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Flatter on middle, Curran defends it off the back foot. |
| 68.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Fuller on middle, SC comes down the track and jams it out. |
| 68.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, SIX! Top shot from the young Sam Curran. It was flighted on middle, Curran comes down the track and lofts it over extra cover for a maximum. Counter attack from Sam. |
| 68.6 : A Dananjaya to Sam Curran, It was bowled wide outside off, Curran pushes it towards covers for a run. These are important runs for England. 12 from the over. |
| 69.1 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter on off, Curran goes back to keep it out. |
| 69.2 : D Perera to Curran, This is flatter and around off, Curran keeps it out. |
| 69.3 : D Perera to Curran, FOUR BYES! Now all going England's way! This is tossed up on middle, Curran swings across the line but misses. It takes off after pitching and Dickwella fails to collect it. Races to the third man fence. |
| 69.4 : D Perera to Curran, Quicker on off, Curran blocks it out. |
| 69.5 : D Perera to Sam Curran, Fires it on off, the batsman pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 69.6 : D Perera to Anderson, Tosses it up on off, the batsman lunges and blocks it out. |
| 70.1 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Full down leg, Curran reverse sweeps it towards deep point but he does not take a run. |
| 70.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Play and miss. Tossed up on middle, spins away sharply and beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 70.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, SIX! Brings up his third Fifty. What a knock from the young Sam Curran. Looking at the match situation it has been a quality knock and England would like to stay there for some more time. It was dragged short and he quickly rocks back and pulls it over deep sqaure leg for a huge six. It has been a high class innings so far. |
| 70.4 : A Dananjaya to Sam Curran, SIX! Second of the over. Errs in line and length, Sam goes back and pulls it over deep-id wicket for a maximum. Counter attack at its best from Curran. |
| 70.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Fuller on middle, the batsman works it through mid-wicket. |
| 70.6 : A Dananjaya to Curran, 1 run. |
| 71.1 : D Perera to Curran, Flatter on off, Curran pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 71.2 : D Perera to Curran, Tosses it up on middle, Curran blocks it out. |
| 71.3 : D Perera to Curran, Quicker and flatter again outside off, Curran punches it back to the bowler. |
| 71.4 : D Perera to Curran, Down the leg side, Curran misses the sweep shot. Dickwella fails to collect it. |
| 71.5 : D Perera to Curran, This is eased down to long on for a run. One ball is all Anderson has to play out now. |
| 71.6 : D Perera to Anderson, Not sure if that is how Curran wanted him to play it, he still negotiates it. This is tossed up outside off, Anderson goes for the sweep but gets it off the inner half towards deep square leg. The single is not taken. |
| 72.1 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Flighted on middle, the ball spun a bit, the batsman gets a thick leading edge and rolls it to the off side. |
| 72.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, DROPPEED! What a miss. Flighted on middle, Curran comes down the track and tries to hit it over long on. Did not get the timing he wanted. Goes straight in the hands of Pushpakumara who drops an easy catch. |
| 72.3 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Fuller on middle, Curran works it the leg side. |
| 72.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, SIX! WHACKED! Adding insult to injury. Two balls before he was dropped and now he makes full use of it. It was nicley tossed up on middle, Sam dances down the track and whacks it over long on for a maximum. |
| 72.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Full on leg side, It struck the thigh pad and the ball rolls it to leg side. Batsmen rotate strike. |
| 72.6 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, On middle, Anderson reverse sweeps it through deep fine leg. But Curran refuses to take a single on the last ball. |
| 73.1 : D Perera to Curran, Tossed up ball on middle and off, Curran taps it with soft hands to the off side. |
| 73.2 : D Perera to Curran, Down leg, Curran works it with the turn. |
| 73.3 : D Perera to Curran, Happy to defend another one. On off, kept out. |
| 73.4 : D Perera to Curran, Wow! 4 dots to Curran. Flatter ball outside off, Curran shoulders his arms. |
| 73.5 : D Perera to Sam Curran, Full around off, driven to covers. Last ball now, will look for the run. |
| 73.6 : D Perera to Curran, Doesn't get it. Short ball on off, punched to the man at covers. Maiden over. |
| Drinks! |
| 74.1 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, Full on middle, Anderson tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 74.2 : A Dananjaya to Curran, Full and wide down leg, Curran flicks it to the square leg. |
| 74.3 : A Dananjaya to Sam Curran, Tossed up on middle, Sam comes down the track and hits the toe end of the bat and the ball rolls it to the on side. |
| 74.4 : A Dananjaya to Curran, FOUR! Errs in line and length from Akila. Sam makes full use of it. He sweeps it fine and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 74.5 : A Dananjaya to Curran, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.6 : A Dananjaya to Sam Curran, Gives a bit of air on middle, Sam drives it through wide mid on and batsman rotate strike. |
| 75.1 : D Perera to Curran, A tad short on middle, Curran defends it off the back foot and into the ground. |
| Has Mathews pulled off a blinder? He is not sure though. They have gone upstairs to check. The soft signal is NOT OUT. |
| 75.2 : D Perera to Curran, NOT OUT! A valiant effort from Mathews there. It dropped just short. It was flighted on middle, Sam Curran comes down the track and tries to go over long on. Did not get the proper connection and Mathews goes for the catch in the deep. Umpire goes upstairs to see whether he caught properly or not. The replay shows us that it was dropped just short. Curran survives. |
| 75.3 : D Perera to Curran, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 75.4 : D Perera to Curran, OUT! Finally! Curran holes out! Loopy ball around off, Sam makes room, goes inside out and looks to clear the boundary. The bat shakes in his hand and it lobs towards long off where Karunaratne takes a simple catch. The 60-run stand comes to an end and ENGLAND ARE ALL OUT FOR 285. |
| 60 runs is what the last wicket have added. England were 225 for 9 after Rashid and Leach fell quickly after the break. Anderson then was dropped on 0. Post that, we witnessed the Curran show. He smashed the bowlers all around the park and he has taken England to a score which they will be more than happy with. He walks off to a standing ovation and he deserves every bit of it. |
| The top order for England once again failed to make an impact. Burns did play a good innings but could not make most of his start. However, Buttler's quickfire innings and Sam Curran's knock was the highlight. Especially the youngster, he was came at the crease when England were in trouble at 165-6. However, two brilliant partnerships between Adil Rashid and Curran first and then Curran and James Anderson sees England go on top. |
| The Lankan bowling was really good throughout. Pushpakumara and Perera were the star as the two took a total of 7 wickets. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Starts off with a delivery wide down leg. The batsman does not need to play at those. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Identical delivery swinging away. Fokaes collects it brilliantly behind the stumps. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Errs in line and length again. Full and wide down leg. Karunaratne goes for the flick. The keeper collects it nicely behind the stumps. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Full delivery on middle, the batsman has pushed it to the point region for a single. First runs for the Lankans. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Silva, Fullish length on off, Silva leans forward and hits the inside half of the bat and the ball rolls it towards leg side for a run. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, On middle, the batsman worked off his pads. The batsman rotate strike. |
| Sam Curran to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Length delivery on middle, Karunaratne works it to the leg side. |
| 1.2 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Good delivery from Sam, Full length swings away and beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 1.3 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Good length delivery on off, the batsman leans forward and drives it to mid-on. |
| 1.4 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, On middle and leg, Karunaratne tucks it to the leg. the batsman rotate strike. |
| 1.5 : Sam Curran to Silva, In the channel outside off, Silva lets it be. |
| 1.6 : Sam Curran to Silva, Similar delivery, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, An appeal but not given! A delayed decision there by Karunaratne to play at it. It was on a length and around off, DK first thinks of leaving it but at the very end tries to block. He though is late to get his bat down. It goes into the mitts off the keeper. He appeals but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Another muted appeal! Down the leg side, Karunaratne tries to flick but the ball goes off the thigh pad to the keeper. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, A little too wide outside off, left alone. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Around off, Karunaratne guides it through point for a single. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Silva, On a length and around off, the batsman defends it out. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Silva, On off again, Silva gets right behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 3.1 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, On the off pole, it is kept out by the batsman. |
| 3.2 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Around off, Karunaratne keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 3.3 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, FOUR! Nicely timed! Full and on middle, Karunaratne plays it with a straight bat past the bowler and into the long on fence. |
| 3.4 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Goes full again but no movement for the bowler. It comes in with the angle and Karunaratne works it to mid-wicket. |
| 3.5 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Down the leg side, the batsman tries to flick but misses. |
| 3.6 : Sam Curran to Karunaratne, Back of a length on off, Karunaratne defends it onto the ground. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Full delivery on middle, Silva leans forward and defends it off front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Silva, Length delivery on off, Kushal defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Silva, FOUR! Steaky but effective. Fuller length swings a bit, Kaushal leans forward and tries to defend it but gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes in between the third slip and to the boundary. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Silva, Play and miss. Good dleivery from Jimmy. Length delivery around off, swings away and the batsman gets lucky as it did not get the outside edge. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Silva, Good length delivery around off, the batsman defends it of the back foot. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Silva, Full delivery angling it. It hits the thigh pad but its going down leg. |
| Jack Leach is called to bowl. |
| 5.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Tossed it up on middle, it hits the pad of the batsman. The bowler appeals but looks like its missing leg. Root was thinking of going for the review but did not go for it in the end. |
| 5.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted on middle, DK worked off his pads behind square. They get a run. |
| 5.3 : J Leach to Silva, Full on middle, Silva drives it through mid off for a single. |
| 5.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Fullish length on middle, Karunaranrte flicks it through mid-wicket. |
| 5.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted on middle, Dk drives it straight to mid on. |
| 5.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, 1 run. |
| Moeen Ali is into the attack now. |
| 6.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, This is floated around off, Karunaratne strokes it through covers and the batsmen take two. |
| 6.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, FLoats it up on middle, it is driven back to the bowler. |
| 6.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flatter on off, it is kept out. |
| 6.4 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, EDGED BUT DOES NOT CARRY! This is flatter and around off, it pitches and turns away. Karunaratne tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge but does not carry to first slip. Stokes there fails to stop it, it goes down towards the third man fence but is pulled back in. Two taken. |
| 6.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted ball on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 6.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Shorter in length outside off, Karunaratne pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 7.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Almost! This is tossed up on middle, it turns back in. Karunaratne tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner away from the leg slip fielder for a run. |
| 7.2 : J Leach to Silva, Tossed up on middle, kept out. |
| 7.3 : J Leach to Silva, Floats it up on off, Silva drives it to covers. |
| 7.4 : J Leach to Silva, OUT! JAFFA! Just how do you play those? Silva had no asnwers to that. England draw first blood through Leach. This is tossed up around middle, Silva lunges and plays the original trajectory. The ball turns away sharply, beating the outside edge and hitting the top of off. England are ecstatic. They still have a few overs to go today. They would love a couple more. |
| Malinda Pushpakumara is in at no. 3. Nightwatch man. |
| 7.5 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Another beauty! Once again gets it to drift into the batsman and the gets it to turn away. Pushpakumara tries to defend but is beaten. |
| 7.6 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Floats it up on middle, Pushpakumara strokes it back to the bowler. |
| 8.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Full on middle, DK blocks it out. |
| 8.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted on middle, Karunaratne defends it with a striaght bat. |
| 8.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Tosess it up on middle, the batsman leans forward and defends it but the ball goes towards short third man. |
| 8.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, On middle, the batsman watchfuly defends it. |
| 8.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Quicker on middle, the batsman rocks and he was struck on the pads. But look like it was going down leg. |
| 8.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.1 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 9.2 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Flighted on middle, the batsman plays a sweep shot towards fine leg for a run. |
| 9.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne works it to mid-wicket. |
| 9.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Floats it up on middle, DK defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 9.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Quicker and fuller on middle, Karunaratne tucks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 9.6 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, on middle, the batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 10.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Works it against the turn through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 10.2 : M Ali to M Pushpakumara, Flighted ball outside off, it turns back in. Pushpakumara lunges and blocks it out. |
| 10.3 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Another tossed up ball outside off, it pitches and comes back in. MP lunges and blocks it. |
| 10.4 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Gives it air and bowls it on a length just behind the last one. Malinda prods forward and tries to defend but the ball turns back in and hits his gloves. |
| 10.5 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Plays the sweep towards deep square leg but does not take a run. Actually, Karunaratne declines the single. Maybe he does not want to face the offie. |
| 10.6 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Flatter and on middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 11.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Uses his feet and it is driven down to long on for a run. Malinda now has to do what he has been sent out to. Play out the 5 balls remaining and protect the batsman. |
| 11.2 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, BEATEN! Floats it up on off, this pitches and turns away, MP gets beaten. |
| 11.3 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Uppish but safe! Luckily for Malinda that hit Buttler. This was driven uppishly on the off side. Buttler at silly point tries to cling onto it but can't. Had he moved out of the way, that might just have carried to short covers. |
| 11.4 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, BEATEN! What a beauty! On middle and turns square. Pushpakumara tries to block it out but is beaten by the away turn. The keeper too fails to collect it but Stokes behind the stumps dives and makes a decent stop. Not cleanly but does not concede any run. |
| 11.5 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Outside off, left alone. One ball to go. |
| 11.6 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, And that has been negotiated, not convincingly though. Floats it on off, this one pitches and turns away. Malinda tries to defend but once again is beaten. THAT IS STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| England's session and you can also say it will be the visitors who will sleep better tonight. After Sam Curran's heroics, the English bowlers had 12 overs to have a go at the Lankan batsman today and they haven't come out empty-handed. They have got the wicket of Silva and it is Leach who has provided the breakthrough by bowling a beauty. However, Pushpakumara and Karunaratne then ensured there were no more wickets to fall and played the day out. |
| Earlier in the day, England elected to bat after winning the toss. They were in trouble at 89-4 but Buttler's counter-attacking innings took them to safer shores. Sri Lanka did manage to fight back and they once again had England down and out at 171 for 7 but could not capitalize and the tourists, courtesy Curran's brilliance, got somewhere close to 300. |
| The story of today was quite similar to the one of the first day of the first Test. And on Day 2 we saw the English side blow the hosts away. Will we see the same on Thursday or will Sri Lanka fight back? Judging by how the wicket played right at the end, one would say England will continue their dominance. We will find out at 1000 local (0430 GMT). Do join us. |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 .... |
| After some entertaining cricket on Day 1, we welcome you to the coverage of Day 2. Yesterday, we saw runs flowing and wickets tumbling as well. The English side have the upper hand at the moment and they would like to push ahead their advantage. Sri Lanka on other hand, will need partnerships but it it is not going to be easy on a wicket which is gripping and turning. The ball is relatively new and one would believe it is now when the batters will face most of the problems. It should get a littl |
| Pitch report - Russel Arnold It has been a dry wicket. The pitch will detoriate and will turn more on day 2. Sri lanknas need to bat well and there could be uneven bounce as well. Normally the visiting team find it hard to play here. This time its upto the home team to put up a fight here. |
| We are all set to go! Dimuth Karunaratne and Malinda Pushpakarma will resume their innings. Moeen Ali will start the proceedings for today. Here we go... |
| 12.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Starts of with a flighted delevery on middle, Dk leans forward and tries to defend it but it goes past the outside edge of the bat. Already turn taking place from the 1st ball. |
| 12.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flatter on middle, it strucks the thigh pad of the batsman. |
| 12.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Tossed up outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 12.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne sweeps it through leg side. |
| 12.5 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, Full on middle, DK strokes it through wide mid on for a single. |
| 12.6 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. |
| 13.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Little bit quicker on middle, Karunaratne works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.2 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 13.3 : J Leach to M Pushpakumara, A tad quicker and fuller on middle, Malinda leans forward and pokes at it. He gets the outside edge of the bat and the ball goes towards short third man. The batsman sneak a single |
| Action straightaway! A huge shout for an LBW has been turned down. England review it. Looks like it is doing too much. |
| 13.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, NOT OUT! England lose a review. Good bowling through from Leach. Pitches this around off and gets the ball to come back in. Dimuth is forward to play at it but gets beaten for turn and gets wrapped on his back leg. The hosts appeal but the umpire stays put. Root opts for the review. Replays roll in and show us that it would have gone to miss leg. |
| 13.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Fuller on middle, Dk tucks it through mid-wicket. |
| 13.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Floats it up on middle, the batsman flicks it to the leg side. |
| 14.1 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Tosses it up outside off, it is a little full. Malinda strokes it through covers for a brace. |
| 14.2 : M Ali to M Pushpakumara, Sharp turn! This is tossed up outside off, it spins back in sharply. Malinda tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs up in the air but away from the close-in fielders. |
| 14.3 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, The last delivery has brought about this shot! Pushpakumara maybe does not trust his defense a lot and hence goes for the slog. Mistimes it to mid on. |
| 14.4 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, OUT! The nightwatchman departs early this morning. A reckless shot by him. He goes for another slog despite a fielder being placed in the deep. It goes straight to Burns at deep square leg who takes an easy catch. England strike early, just what they would have wanted. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in. |
| 14.5 : M Ali to de Silva, Floats it up on middle, this is stroked down to long on for a run. Off the mark on the very first ball. |
| 14.6 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, Very full from around the wicket on middle, Karunaratne drives it to mid on. |
| 15.1 : J Leach to Silva, Fuller delivery on middle, the batsman digs it out. |
| 15.2 : J Leach to de Silva, On middle, Silva strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 15.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Identical delivery, Karunaratne works it to leg side. |
| 15.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, FOUR BYES! Tosses it up on middle, the ball spins away from the bat and the keeper misses it as well and the ball races away to the fine leg boundary. |
| 15.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Fuller length on middle, DK works it to on side for a run. |
| 15.6 : J Leach to Silva, Quicker on off, Silva pushes it through point for a run. |
| 16.1 : M Ali to Silva, Tosses it up nicely on off, it comes back in. Dhananjaya lunges and blocks it out. |
| 16.2 : M Ali to Silva, eases it down to long on with the turn for a run. |
| 16.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flatter and around off, Karunaratne gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 16.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Quicker again and outside off, Karunaratne goes for the cut shot but is beaten by the extra bounce. |
| 16.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Brings the sweep shot out and hits it through square leg for a couple. |
| 16.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Slightly shorter and outside off, it is hit through covers for a run. |
| 17.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Walks right across and flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 17.2 : J Leach to Silva, SHORT! This is bowled slower and on the stumps, it turns away. Dhananjaya tries to defend it with soft hands but gets an outside edge which falls short of Stokes at first slip. |
| 17.3 : J Leach to Silva, Gives it air on middle, it is kept out. |
| 17.4 : J Leach to Silva, Another loopy ball on middle, Dhananjaya get behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 17.5 : J Leach to Silva, On the pads, it is clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Close again! Karunaratne comes down the track and tries to flick. It goes off the inner half and on the bounce to leg slip. |
| 18.1 : M Ali to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Silva tries to drive it but gets gets the inside half of the bat and the ball goes toward the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 18.2 : M Ali to Silva, Tossed it up on middle, the batsman has played it through the point region. They run a single. |
| 18.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Quicker on middle, Karunaratne pushes it towards the point region. |
| 18.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Full on middle, DK strokes it to mid on. |
| 18.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 18.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted on middle, Karunaratne taps it through the point region. |
| 19.1 : J Leach to Silva, Fuller and quicker on middle, Silva drives it towards covers. |
| 19.2 : J Leach to Silva, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman has drives it straight to the mid-off fielder. |
| 19.3 : J Leach to Silva, Quicker around off, Silva opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third man. |
| 19.4 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted around off, the ball spins a bit and batsman lets it go outside his off stump. Good leave by the batsman. |
| 19.5 : J Leach to Silva, Little bit quicker on middle, de Silva works it to the leg side region. |
| 19.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, FOUR! DEFT TOUCH! It was bowled little bit quicker on off, the batsman opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man for a boundary. |
| 20.1 : M Ali to Silva, FOUR. |
| 20.2 : M Ali to Silva, Full on middle, the batsman drives it through mid-on for a run. |
| 20.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Little bit quicker on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Fullish length on middle, Karunaratne drives it to mid-on. |
| 20.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery outside off, DK lets it be. |
| 20.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, No run. |
| 21.1 : J Leach to Silva, Flat and on off, de Silva cuts it through point and gets to the other end. |
| 21.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Short again outside off, Dimuth rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for just one. |
| 21.3 : J Leach to Silva, Gives this air down leg, turned away with the spin to the deep for a brace. |
| 21.4 : J Leach to Silva, Nice. Tossed up outside off, de Silva pokes at it but gets beaten. Pitch is responding. |
| 21.5 : J Leach to Silva, Similar. Pitch is doing a lot. Floats this around off, de Silva has a tentative push at it to get beaten. |
| 21.6 : J Leach to Silva, Full on off, driven to covers. |
| 22.1 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, Fuller length on middle, Karunaratne drives it through mid-off for a run |
| 22.2 : M Ali to Silva, Floats it up on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 22.3 : M Ali to Silva, Quicker and flatter on off, de Silva has punched it off the back foot through covers. Batsmen take two runs. |
| 22.4 : M Ali to Silva, FOUR! Fuller on middle, Silva gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it straight past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 22.5 : M Ali to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 22.6 : M Ali to de Silva, On middle, de Silva has driven it through mid on for a run. |
| 23.1 : J Leach to Silva, Quicker and flatter on middle, de Silva cuts it towards covers. |
| 23.2 : J Leach to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 23.3 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter and quicker on middle, Silva has punched it off the back foot and the batsmen take a single. |
| 23.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on leg, this occasion, Karunaratne tries to sweep that but it was hit on the pads. |
| 23.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, INNOVATIVE! Flighted delivery on middle, Karunaratne gets into positin early and reverse sweeps it through third man for a couple of runs. Adil Rashid make a good effort and stops it. |
| 23.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, 1 run. |
| Adil Rashid is into the attack. |
| 24.1 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Leading edge! Rashid bowls it on the pads, he begins with a leg spinner. Karunaratne tries to flick but closes the face of the bat a touch early. He gets a soft leading edge to mid off. |
| 24.2 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Works it around the corner with the turn for a run. |
| 24.3 : A Rashid to Silva, On the shorter side, the batsman rocks back and punches it through covers for a run. |
| 24.4 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Shapes up for the paddle sweep early and Rashid helps him by bowling it down the leg side. Karunaratne plays it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 24.5 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Rashid is too leg stumpish to the left-hander. Easy pickings for him as he flicks it down to fine leg for a run. |
| 24.6 : A Rashid to Silva, A not so good first over by Rashid comes to an end. Bowls a short ball to finish, it is pushed down to long off for a run. |
| 25.1 : J Leach to Silva, Quicker and flatter on middle, de Silva late cuts it and guides it through short third man for a run. |
| 25.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Fuller on middle, the batsman flicks it to the leg side. |
| 25.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Tossed it up on middle, DK gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it straight to the mid on fielder. |
| 25.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flatter on middle, Karunaratne tucks it down the leg side. |
| 25.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman flicks it to the mid-wicket for a single. |
| 25.6 : J Leach to Silva, Drags his length short, de Silva rocks back and punches it off the back foot to the cover fielder. |
| 26.1 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, In the air... but safe! Rashid almost got a wicket of a nothing delivery. Short and down the leg side, Karunaratne tries to flick but gets a leading edge towards deep square leg for a run. 50-run stand up between the two. An important one as the two joined association when Sri Lanka were in trouble. Need to continue though. |
| 26.2 : A Rashid to de Silva, FOUR! Rashid is struggling with his line and length here! Bowls it very short and de Silva has all the time in the world to rock back and pull it through mid on for a boundary. |
| 26.3 : A Rashid to Silva, How has that missed the off pole? Rashid has got this one absolutely right. The straighter one around off, de Silva does not pick the variation and is beaten inside the line. The ball just about kisses the off pole. Buttler fails to collect it and it goes down towards third man for a bye. |
| 26.4 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Floats it up on off, Karunaratne drives it to mid off. |
| 26.5 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total. |
| 26.6 : A Rashid to Silva, A huge appeal but not given! Once again it is the slider on middle, de Silva tries to defend with his bat and pad close together. An appeal follows as the English players feel it is pad first. The umpire though shakes his head. That looked close to be honest. Replays however confirms that the on-field call was the right one. |
| 27.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Quicker on middle, Karunaratne taps it to off side. |
| 27.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full on middle, the batsman tucks it to the square leg for a run. |
| 27.3 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, de Silva defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 27.4 : J Leach to Silva, Lovely delivery that. Floats it up on middle, de Silva leans forward and tries to defend it but the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat. |
| 27.5 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter on middle, the batsman tucks it to the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 27.6 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter and quicker on middle, the batsman punched it off the back foot. |
| 28.1 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Flighted on middle, Karunaratne tries to reverse sweep it but it gets the top edge of the bat and the ball lobs towards third man. They get a brace. |
| 28.2 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Quicker and middle on off, the batsman defends it off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 28.3 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne paddles it through leg side straight to the fielder. |
| 28.4 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, On middle, Karunaratne drives it straight to mid on. |
| 28.5 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, FOUR! INNOVATIVE! Flighted on middle, Karunaratne gets into position early and reverse sweeps it through third man for a boundary. |
| 28.6 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Tosses it up on middle, Karunaratne sweeps it through leg side for a run. Brings up his 18th Test Fifty. Good innings so far from the left hander. Sri Lanka needs him to carry on. |
| Drinks! |
| Joe Root brings himself on. |
| 29.1 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, On the shorter side outside off, Karunaratne slaps it through covers for a run. |
| 29.2 : Joe Root to Silva, The leg spinner and this turns and he also gets good drift. It drifts into the batsman, then pitches and turns away. It though is slightly short and de Silva easily keeps it out. |
| 29.3 : Joe Root to Silva, Another leg spinner but it is on the shorter side again, Dhananjaya punches it through covers for a couple. 100 up for Sri Lanka, they trail by another 185. |
| 29.4 : Joe Root to Silva, On the off pole. It is kept out. |
| 29.5 : Joe Root to Silva, Down the leg side, de Silva fails to flick, the ball brushes the pads and goes towards fine leg. The batsmen run a leg bye. |
| 29.6 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, On the off stump, defended. |
| 30.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives it air on off, it pitches and turns away. The batter tries to defend but gets an outside edge down to third man for a single. |
| 30.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Floats it up on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 30.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives it air on off, defended. |
| 30.4 : A Rashid to Silva, This is eased down to long off for a run. |
| 30.5 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, The googly but it is on the shorter side, Karunaratne has all the time in the world to go back and guide it through point for a single. |
| 30.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives it a nice loop on off, it is kept out. |
| 31.1 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 31.2 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne has pushed it through the point. |
| 31.3 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 31.4 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Little bit fuller on middle, Karunaratne drives it straight to mid on. |
| 31.5 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Flatter on middle, the batsman flicked off his pads towards square leg for a run. |
| 31.6 : Joe Root to Silva, Full and wide down leg, the batsman pads it out. |
| James Anderson is into the attack. |
| 32.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Fuller length on middle, Karunaratne drives it straight to the mid on. |
| 32.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Fuller delivery on off, DK leans forward and drives it firmly past mid on . The batsman get couple of runs. |
| 32.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne shoulders arms to it. |
| 32.4 : J Anderson to D Karunaratne, A tad full from Jimmy, Karunaratne drives it straight to mid on. |
| 32.5 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Identical delivery, Karunaratne pushes it towards point. |
| 32.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 33.1 : Joe Root to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman has played that off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 33.2 : Joe Root to Silva, Fuller length on off, de Silva drives it straight to mid on. |
| 33.3 : Joe Root to Silva, Quicker on middle, the batsman flicks it through the leg side for a run. |
| 33.4 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Floats it up around off, Karunaratne leans forward and pushes it through point for a run. |
| 33.5 : Joe Root to Silva, The ball is bowled wayy down leg. Silva goes for shot but misses it completely. |
| 33.6 : Joe Root to Silva, Flighted on middle, de Silvs comes down the track and blocks it. |
| 34.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 34.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery on middle, Karunaratne blocks it out. |
| 34.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Full around off, Karunaratne leans forward and drives it to the cover region. |
| 34.4 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Full on his pads, Karunaratne works it to the fine leg region for a couple of runs. |
| 34.5 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 34.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery outside off, Karunaratne lets it go. |
| Moeen Ali is back on. |
| 35.1 : M Ali to Silva, Tosses it up on middle, de Silva sweeps it through fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 35.2 : M Ali to Silva, Flighted delivery on off, de Silva defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 35.3 : M Ali to de Silva, Full on middle, the batsman strokes it to long on for a run. |
| 35.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, Karunaratne leans forward and drives it covers. The fielder misfields it and the batsmen sneak a single. |
| 35.5 : M Ali to Silva, Quicker on middle,de Silva has flicked the ball off his pads to the leg side for a run. |
| 35.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Fires it on middle, Karunaratne drives it straight to mid off. |
| 36.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Angles it into the batsman, he works it through square leg for a run. |
| 36.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, FOUR! A full toss and it has been put away! On off and Karunaratne plays it with a straight bat through mid off and the ball races away. |
| 36.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, A tad full and wide outside off, Karunaratne shoulders arms to it. |
| 36.4 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Back of a length outside off, the batsman lets it be. |
| 36.5 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, Karunaratne leans forward and defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 36.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery outside off. Karunaratne tries to cut it but misses it completely. |
| 37.1 : M Ali to Silva, Full on middle, de Silva drives it straight to mid on. |
| 37.2 : M Ali to Silva, Tossed up delivery lands it just outside off. de Silva leans forward and tries to poke at it but missed it completely. |
| 37.3 : M Ali to Silva, A tad fuller on middle, the batsman has flicked it through mid- wicket for a run. |
| 37.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Quicker on middle, Karunaratne, drives it straight to mid on region. |
| 37.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Identical delivery, Karunaratne, pushes it towards mid on fielder. |
| 37.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman drives it to the point region. |
| 38.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Back of a length on middle, Silva defends it off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 38.2 : J Anderson to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 38.3 : J Anderson to Silva, Full on middle, de Silva drives it straight to the covers. |
| 38.4 : J Anderson to de Silva, FOUR! A tad fuller swings away. de Silva leans forward and pokes at it and gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes between the second slip fielder and races away to the third man fence. |
| 38.5 : J Anderson to Silva, Full on middle, the batsman drives it straight to mid off. |
| A direct hit and have England got the breakthrough? Karunaratne is the man in question. This looks very close. |
| 38.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, OUT! Yes, England have got the breakthrough. This was probably the only way this partnership could have been broken. A sorry end to a brilliant 96-run stand. A back of a length ball around off, de Silva guides it towards Stokes at point and sets off for a run. The ball bounces nicely for the fielder, he collects it with one hand and then scores a direct hit at the striker's end. The players appeal, they actually start celebrating as they feel Karunaratne is short |
| Kusal Mendis is the new man in. Also, Jack Leach is back on. |
| 39.1 : J Leach to Silva, What a delivery to start off with. Things have started to change now. Slower on middle, it turns away sharply. The batsman was on the back foot and luckily it did not get the outside edge of the bat. |
| 39.2 : J Leach to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.3 : J Leach to Silva, Little bit fuller on middle, de Silva drives it straight to the cover fielder. |
| 39.4 : J Leach to Silva, Little bit quicker on middle, Silvs rocks back and tries to flick it but it hits the thigh pad. |
| 39.5 : J Leach to Silva, Fuller length lands it on off, the batsman drives it to mid off. |
| 39.6 : J Leach to Silva, Gives s bit of air on middle, de Silva drives it straight to the mid on fielder. |
| Ben Stokes is into the attack now. |
| 40.1 : Ben Stokes to Mendis, Starts off with a short delivery. Mendis ducks underneath it. |
| 40.2 : Ben Stokes to Mendis, Back of a length on middle, Kushal punches it off the back foot through covers. They take a single. |
| 40.3 : Ben Stokes to Silva, FOUR! De Silva Brings up his 4th Test Fifty. It was dragged in short, he went for the pull and times it nicely through mid-wicket and the ball races to the fence. He needs to continue for a longer period of time. He has been playing well and looks determined to score a big one now. |
| 40.4 : Ben Stokes to Silva, Fuller length on middle, de Silva pushes it through point region. |
| 40.5 : Ben Stokes to Silva, Back of a length on middle, the batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 40.6 : Ben Stokes to Silva, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for de Silva. It was again dragged in short and pulls it through mid on for a boundary. 8 came from the over of Stokes. |
| 41.1 : J Leach to K Mendis, OUT! EDGED AND WHAT A CATCH! It is that man Stokes again! You just can't keep him out of the game at the moment. Mendis walks back without troubling the scorers and all of a sudden, Lanka are in a spot of bother here. Leach gets his second. A tossed up delivery on off, it pitches and turns away. Mendis plays inside the line, the ball takes the outside edge, goes just past the keeper's gloves but Stokes at first slip, sticks his left hand out and the ball stays in. Exce |
| 0.0 : Angelo Matthews walks out to the middle. |
| 41.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Angles it into the batsman, Mathews keeps it out. |
| 41.3 : J Leach to A Mathews, Tosses it up very full on middle, AM drives it to mid off. |
| 41.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Tosses it above the eye line outside off, Mathews strokes it to covers. |
| 41.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Another edge induced but it is just short. Flatter and on off, the ball pitches and turns away. Takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to Stokes who makes a half-stop. No runs conceded though. |
| 41.6 : J Leach to Mathews, Not a good ball to end, especially after another slip was brought in. This is on the pads, it is worked to short fine leg. |
| Adil Rashid is back on. |
| 42.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Quicker and fuller on middle, de Silva rocks back and taps it down the off side. |
| 42.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Bowls it slower on off, the batsman punches it through point for a run. |
| 42.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, Short of a length outside off, Mathews cuts it through the off side. |
| 42.4 : A Rashid to Mathews, A tad fuller on this occasion. Angelo pushes it through covers. The batsmen sneak a single. |
| 42.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Floats it up on middle, de Silva tries to defend it from the crease but the ball spins away beating the outside edge of the bat. |
| 42.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Another loopy delivery on middle, the batsman tries to defend and the ball turns away from him. Beats the outside edge of the bat. Brilliant over from Rashid. |
| 43.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Gives it air on off, Mathews strokes it to mid off. |
| 43.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter and on off, it is kept out. |
| 43.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Fires it on the pads, Mathews works it around the corner for a run. |
| 43.4 : J Leach to Silva, Darts it on off, de Silva blocks it out. |
| 43.5 : J Leach to Silva, Slows it up this time and pitches it around middle, Dhananjaya blocks it. |
| 43.6 : J Leach to Silva, A shorter delivery to end the session and it has been pushed back to the bowler. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| An excellent session of cricket and you have to award it to the English side due to the two quick wickets in the end. They started off well by picking the nightwatchman early but it was all Sri Lanka after that. Karunaratne and Dhananjaya looked at ease and the two stitched a 96-run stand. The former got to his half ton and looked set for a biggie. |
| Just as everything was going Sri Lanka's way, a moment of brilliant from Ben Stokes found Karunaratne short of his crease. A few overs later, Stokes was once again into the act as he pulled of an excellent catch to get rid of Mendis. Mathews and Dhananjaya, who also passed his fifty, then survived the last few minutes and ensured there were no more wickets to fall before the break. |
| The hosts still trail by another 146 runs, they have a set batsman out there and one who showed good form in the first Test match. They would hope the two can bat long and take them close to the deficit. England on the other hand, will want to take a few wickets quickly and get into the lower order of this Lankan line-up. |
| ... Day 2, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva will resume their innings. Adil Rashid will start the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 44.1 : A Rashid to A Mathews, Starts off with a short and wide delivery outside off, Mathews cuts back towards point for a couple of runs. |
| 44.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Short again outside off, Angelo again cuts it through point for a brace. |
| 44.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, A tad short outside off, the batsman pushes it through point for a single. |
| 44.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Loopy delivery on middle, Mathew tries to cut it again but misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 44.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Flatter and quicker on middle, de Silva cuts it through point for a single. |
| 44.6 : A Rashid to Mathews, Full on middle, Mathews drives it to the point. |
| Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. |
| 45.1 : J Leach to Silva, Bowls it fuller on middle, the batsman drives it straight to mid off. |
| 45.2 : J Leach to Silva, Floated delivery on middle, de Silva defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 45.3 : J Leach to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.4 : J Leach to de Silva, Quicker and fuller on middle, de Silva drives it striaght to mid on. |
| 45.5 : J Leach to Silva, Drags it short on this occasion, the batsman hangs back and punches it through point for a run. |
| 45.6 : J Leach to Mathews, On middle, AM watchfully blocks it out. |
| 46.1 : A Rashid to Silva, BEAUTY! This is nicely tossed up and it is also much slower. Pitches around leg and then turns square, beating the outside edge of Dhananjaya's bat. Just unplayable. |
| 46.2 : A Rashid to Silva, OUT! GONE! Rashid strikes! Lovely, lovely bowling this is. Once again he tosses it above the eye and this time lands it around the off pole. It pitches and spins away. Dhananjaya has to play at it and hence is forward to defend it. The ball just about kisses the outside edge and goes into the mitts off the keeper. Foakes takes it and appeals and the umpire raises his finger. Big blow for Sri Lanka as Dhananjaya was set. Half the side back in the hut for Sri Lanka. |
| Roshen Silva comes to bat. |
| 46.3 : A Rashid to Silva, This is flatter and around off, Silva gets behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 46.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Tosses it up a little and bowls it on middle, it is defended. |
| 46.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Flatter and on off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 46.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Very slow and very short. Silva goes for the cut but gets it off the toe end towards covers. |
| 47.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Little bit quicker on middle, Mathews defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 47.2 : J Leach to Mathews, FOUR! SHOT! It was nicely tossed up on middle, Mathews gets to the pitch of the ball and lobs it uppishly over extra cover for a boundary. |
| 47.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Drags his length short, Angelo goes back and punches it off the back foot. |
| 47.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, Mathew tries to work it to leg side but gets the thick leading edge and the ball goes towards off side. |
| 47.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Short around off, AM punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 47.6 : J Leach to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 48.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Short from Rashid on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 48.2 : A Rashid to Silva, A tad short from the bowler, Roshen rocks back and punches it off the back foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 48.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, the batsman has pushed it through point for a single. Silva is off the mark with that. |
| 48.4 : A Rashid to Mathews, Floats it up on middle, Mathews leans forward and tries to defend it but misses the outside edge of the bat. Rashid needs the consistent with this line and length. |
| 48.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Short delivery outside off, AM cuts it through point for a run. |
| 48.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, Roshen pushes it gently through point. |
| 49.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Gives it air on off, Mathews keeps it out. |
| 49.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Tosses it up on off, Mathews lunges and defends it by taking off his bottom hand. |
| 49.3 : J Leach to Mathews, A little too close to play the cut shot. Mathews ends up chopping it to the cover fielder. |
| 49.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter and on middle, Mathews goes back and punches it to covers. |
| 49.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Tosses it up on middle, Mathews prods forward and defends it. |
| 49.6 : J Leach to Mathews, On the shorter side, Mathews goes back and pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 50.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, Mathews defends it with a straight bat. |
| 50.2 : A Rashid to A Mathews, Fuller on middle, Angelo strokes it to long off for a single. |
| 50.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Loopy delivery but way outside off. He goes for the cut but misses it. |
| 50.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, the batsman pushes it to the point fielder. |
| 50.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 50.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Silva prods forward and tries to defend to but missed the outside edge of the bat. |
| 51.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, Mathews drives it mid off for a run. |
| 51.2 : J Leach to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva tucks it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 51.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Identical delivery, Am tucks it to leg side. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 51.4 : J Leach to Silva, CLOSE SHAVE! Well tossed up delivery on middle, Silva leans forward and tries to poke at it but missed the outside edge of the bat. Top delivery that from Leach. |
| 51.5 : J Leach to Silva, Good delivery again. Flighted delivery on off, Silvs prods forward and defends but misses the outside edge and lucky escape. |
| 51.6 : J Leach to Silva, Silva paddles it fine through third man. Batsmen take three runs. |
| 52.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Tosses it up on off, Silva is solid in defense. |
| 52.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Uses his feet and tries to force it through the off side but gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket. |
| 52.3 : A Rashid to Silva, A huge appeal but not given! Excellently bowled! He kept bowling the leg spinners and now bowls the googly. Silva had no clue which way it was going as he comes forward to defend. He misses and the ball hits him on the pads. An appela follows but the umpire shakes his head. England think about a review and opt against it. Rightly so as Hawk Eye shows it to be missing the stumps. |
| 52.4 : A Rashid to Silva, the slider now, it is worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 52.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Eases it down to long off for a run. |
| 52.6 : A Rashid to Silva, On the shorter side, Silva punches it back to the bowler. |
| 53.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter on middle, Mathews punches it off the back foot. |
| 53.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Similar delivery, AM cuts it to the point fielder. |
| 53.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Tossed up on middle, Mathew defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 53.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Full on middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 53.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Short and wide outside off, Angelo cuts it through point for a run. |
| 53.6 : J Leach to Silva, Gives a bit of air, Silva leans forward and tries to defend but missed the outside edge of the bat. Good end to the over. |
| 54.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flatter and outside off, Mathews punches it to covers. |
| 54.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, On off, turning away. Mathews lets it be. |
| 54.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, OUT! Big wicket for England. Adil gets his man. A loopy delivery from Rashid on middle, Mathews leans forward and tries to defend it off the front foot but he gets a thick outside edge. Foakes but catches it on the second attempt. 6 down for Sri Lanka. |
| Niroshan Dickwella is the new man in. |
| 54.4 : A Rashid to Dickwella, FOUR! STREAKY! It was bowled fuller on his leg, Dickwella goes down on one knee and sweeps it. He goes the toe end of the ball and the ball goes behind fine leg to the boundary. |
| 54.5 : Rashid to Dickwella, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman tried to defend it but hits the front pad. The bowler appeals but umpire has no interest. |
| 54.6 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Full on middle, Dickwella sweeps it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 55.1 : J Leach to Dickwella, This is on the pads, it is worked to square leg. |
| 55.2 : J Leach to Dickwella, Tosses it up on off, Dickwella blocks it out. |
| 55.3 : J Leach to Dickwella, FOUR! Brings out the reverse sweep and hits it through covers. There is a lot of real estate there and a boundary results. |
| 55.4 : J Leach to Dickwella, Dances down the track and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 55.5 : J Leach to Dickwella, Plays the conventional sweep this time and hits it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 55.6 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter on middle, it is tucked around the corner for a run. |
| 56.1 : A Rashid to Silva, A half-tracker but Silva does not take full toll of it. He whips it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 56.2 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Dances down the track but just not get to the pitch of it. Dickwella adjusts and keeps it out. |
| 56.3 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Almost! That would have been a very soft dismissal. This is flatter and on middle, Dickwella makes room and punches it uppishly but short of the man at covers. |
| 56.4 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Gives it air on middle, Dickwella tries to defend but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards fine leg for a run. Leg bye signaled. |
| 56.5 : A Rashid to Silva, On the shorter side outside off, the batsman cuts it to point. |
| 56.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Well bowled and well played! Gives it air on off, the batsman initially tries to defend but seeing the ball turn away, pulls his bat out of the way. |
| Moeen Ali is back on. |
| 57.1 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flighted delivery arround off, Dickwella sweeps it through fine lef for a run. |
| 57.2 : M Ali to R Silva, Good sharp turn there. Tossed up delivery turning back sharply. The batsman was trying to cut off the back foot. Luckily for him it drops short of the silly point fielder. |
| 57.3 : M Ali to Silva, Full on middle, Silvs works it to the leg side. |
| 57.4 : M Ali to Silva, Floats it up on middle, the batsman tucks it to the on side for a single. |
| 57.5 : M Ali to Dickwella, FOUR! It was a tad full on middle, the batsman gets into the position early and reverse sweeps it through third man for a boundary. |
| 57.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, The batsman defends it off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 58.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva flicks it to leg side. |
| 58.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Drags it short and the batsman rocks back and punches it off the back foot. |
| 58.3 : A Rashid to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 58.4 : A Rashid to Silva, FOUR! That ball deserved a boundary. Errs in line and length. It was wide outside off, Silva hangs back and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 58.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Flatter and quicker, Silva was down the track and realizes that was he could be stumped. So he pads it out at the last moment. |
| 58.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Floats it up on middle, the batsman drives it to mid on for a single. |
| 59.1 : M Ali to Silva, Brings out the reverse sweep but the ball is too full to play that shot. Hits the pad of Silva and then lobs upto his his body. |
| 59.2 : M Ali to Silva, Works it with the turn towards mid-wicket. |
| 59.3 : M Ali to Silva, Tosses it up on off, coming back in. Silva flicks it to square leg. |
| 59.4 : M Ali to Silva, Tries to do the same but this time misses to get hit on the pads. A muted appeal but nothing from the umpire. Going down leg. |
| 59.5 : M Ali to Silva, Down the leg side again, Silva flicks it fine. The keeper does anticipate it well and moves to his left but the ball goes past him. A run taken. |
| 59.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, Plays the sweep shot and plays it well towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 60.1 : A Rashid to Dickwella, In the air... but safe! Tries to play the reverse but it goes off the toe end above the fielder at cover. A run taken. |
| 60.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives it air outside off, the batsman shoulders arms. |
| 60.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Well played! Loopy ball on off, Silva first tries to defend but seeing the away turn, pulls out of the shot. |
| 60.4 : A Rashid to Silva, The slider on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 60.5 : A Rashid to Silva, On the shorter side, the batsman slaps it through point for a run. |
| 60.6 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Floats it up on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| Drinks! |
| 61.1 : M Ali to Silva, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 61.2 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flatter on off, it turns away. Dickwella tries to defend but gets beaten. |
| 61.3 : M Ali to Dickwella, Tosses it up on off, Dickwella goes down on one knee and sweeps it through square leg for a run. |
| 61.4 : M Ali to Silva, Gives it air on off, Silva blocks it out. |
| 61.5 : M Ali to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 61.6 : M Ali to Silva, On off, the batsman dead-bats it. |
| 62.1 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Good effort from Jimmy here. Rashid bowls a full toss on middle, Dickwella reverse sweeps it through deep point. Anderson from deep comes to stop it from going to the boundary and does it brilliantly. Umpire goes upstairs to check whether he saves it or not. He saves 1 run for his team here. |
| 62.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Full on middle, Silva defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 62.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller length on middle, Silva comes to the pitch of the ball and tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 62.4 : A Rashid to Dickwella, Leg bye. Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman tries to sweep it, hits the pad but the ball goes towards fine leg. They rotate strike. |
| 62.5 : A Rashid to Silva, On middle, Silva pushes it through point. |
| 62.6 : A Rashid to Silva, No run. |
| 63.1 : M Ali to Dickwella, Sweeps it through the leg side for a run. |
| 63.2 : M Ali to Silva, Flatter and on off, Silva gets right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 63.3 : M Ali to Silva, On the shorter side, the batsman punches it through covers and takes two. |
| 63.4 : M Ali to Silva, Floats it up on off, Silva keeps it out. |
| 63.5 : M Ali to Silva, Flatter and on the shorter side, Silva blocks it out. |
| 63.6 : M Ali to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| Joe Root is back on. |
| 64.1 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Full toss on middle, Dickwella tucks it to mid on for a single. |
| 64.2 : Joe Root to Silva, A tad fuller on middle, Silva works it to on side for a run., |
| 64.3 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Quicker on middle, the batsman drives it straight to the mid off fielder. |
| 64.4 : Joe Root to Dickwella, A little bit slower through the air, Dickwella tries to sweep but misses it completely. Good take by the keeper. |
| 64.5 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Floats it up on middle, the batsman tries to defend it off the front foot.The ball spins away and misses the outside the edge of the bat. |
| 64.6 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Full on middle, the batsman plays a sweeps shot but straight to the fine leg fielder. |
| 65.1 : M Ali to Silva, Flatter and quicker on middle, Silva punches it off the back foot through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 65.2 : M Ali to Silva, On middle, Silva defends it from within the crease. |
| 65.3 : M Ali to Silva, Quicker on middle, Silva works it to the on side for a run. |
| 65.4 : M Ali to Dickwella, Slower through the air on middle, Dickwella tries to poke at it but misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 65.5 : M Ali to Dickwella, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 65.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flatter on middle, Dickwella paddles it down the leg side for a run. |
| 66.1 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Bowled on the stumps, Dickwella sweeps it through square leg for a single. |
| 66.2 : Joe Root to Silva, Floats it up on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 66.3 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Gives it air on middle, the batsman defends it out. |
| Dickwella has been given LBW. He goes for the review. don't think it would make a difference. |
| 66.4 : Joe Root to Dickwella, OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! A review goes down the drain. It was taken in desperation though. Dickwella being the last recognized batsman, he had to take it. This is bowled flatter on middle, Dickwella goes down on one knee to sweep. He misses and it hits him on the front pad. The players appeal and the umpire agrees. Dickwella reviews it but the Hawk Eye returns three reds. Another promising stand has been cut short and Sri Lanka trail by another 74 runs, they have three w |
| 66.5 : Joe Root to Perera, Gets a lot of drift on this one. It pitches on off, Perera who is the new man in keeps it out. |
| 66.6 : Root to Perera, Flatter on the pads, Perera tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal follows but not given. Going down leg. |
| 67.1 : M Ali to Silva, Full on middle, Roshen defends it with a straight bat. |
| 67.2 : M Ali to Silva, On middle, Silva works it to the leg side. |
| 67.3 : M Ali to Silva, Tosses it up on middle. the batsman flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 67.4 : M Ali to Silva, Flatter and quicker on off, spins in a bit. The batsman tries to cut it off the back foot and the ball hits the thigh pad. |
| 67.5 : M Ali to Silva, Flatter on middle, Silva punches it off the back foot through covers. They take a run. |
| 67.6 : M Ali to Perera, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.1 : Joe Root to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva works it off his pads behind square. They take couple of runs. |
| 68.2 : Joe Root to Silva, Identical delivery on middle, the batsman tucks it down the leg side for a run. |
| 68.3 : Joe Root to Perera, Flighted delivery on middle, Perera pushes it to point. |
| 68.4 : Joe Root to Perera, Drifts on to his pads, the batsman flicks it to square leg for a run. |
| 68.5 : Joe Root to Silva, bye. Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman tries to push at it. The keeper misses it and they sneak a single. |
| 68.6 : Joe Root to Perera, Root pushes it through, Perera tries to drive it but gets the bottom edge of the bat and batsman get two runs for it. |
| Jack Leach is back on. |
| 69.1 : J Leach to Silva, Floats it up on off, the batsman defends it. |
| 69.2 : J Leach to Silva, Tosses it up on off, it is driven to covers. |
| Howzzat? The answer to that question is not out. England review. Silva is the man in question. Height can be an issue. |
| 69.3 : J Leach to Silva, NOT OUT! Pitched way outside leg, so that is that! England have lost both their reviews. Another poor one by them. This is tossed up around leg pole, it turns square. Silva goes down on one knee to sweep but misses. The ball hits him around his arm. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. England take a review. Replay shows that the ball has pitched outside the leg stump. |
| 69.4 : J Leach to R Silva, Flighted ball, it is driven to covers. |
| 69.5 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter on the pads, Silva works it through square leg for no runs. |
| 69.6 : J Leach to Silva, Fires it on the pads, Silva tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 70.1 : A Rashid to Perera, The batsman defends it off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.2 : A Rashid to Perera, Tossed up delivery around off, Perera lets it be. |
| 70.3 : A Rashid to Perera, Drags it short, the batsman pulls it towards square leg for a run. |
| 70.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery outside off, the batsman lets it go. |
| 70.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 70.6 : A Rashid to Perera, Quicker on middle, Perera rock back and punches it off the back foot to the cover fielder. |
| 71.1 : J Leach to Silva, Loopy delivery on middle, the ball spins a bit. Silva prods forward and defends it but the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat. |
| 71.2 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter and quicker on middle, Silva has punched it off the back foot to point. |
| 71.3 : J Leach to Silva, Full on middle, Silva drives it through the cover region for a run. |
| 71.4 : J Leach to Perera, Short on middle, Perera pulls it through square leg for a single. |
| 71.5 : J Leach to Silva, On middle, Silva works it down the leg side. |
| 71.6 : J Leach to Silva, FOUR! It was tossed up on middle, Silvs dances down the track and lobs it over long on for a boundary. Good end to the over for Lankans. |
| 72.1 : A Rashid to Perera, No run. |
| 72.2 : A Rashid to Perera, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.3 : A Rashid to Perera, Loopy delivery spinning away. The batsman tries to defend it just missed the outside edge of the bat. |
| 72.4 : A Rashid to Perera, Full outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 72.5 : A Rashid to Perera, Full on middle, the batsman pushes it to the point region. |
| 72.6 : A Rashid to Perera, Flighted delivery on middle, Perera works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 73.1 : J Leach to Perera, Gives it air on off, kept out. |
| 73.2 : J Leach to Perera, Down the leg side, Perera tries to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 73.3 : J Leach to Perera, Flatter and on middle, Perera tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. An appeal follows but it has not been given. |
| 73.4 : J Leach to Perera, Floats it up outside off, Perera guides it to point. |
| 73.5 : J Leach to Perera, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 73.6 : J Leach to Perera, Darts it on the pads, the batsman tries to clip it away but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| 74.1 : A Rashid to Silva, FOUR! A loopy delivery around off, Silva comes down the track and lobs it over extra cover for a boundary. |
| 74.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Full on middle, the batsman drives it towards the cover region for a run. |
| 74.3 : A Rashid to Perera, Quicker and flatter on middle, Perera rocks back and punches it through cover. The batsmen get a run. |
| 74.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Silva drives it to mid off for a single. |
| 74.5 : A Rashid to Perera, Quicker on middle. Perera defends it off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 74.6 : A Rashid to Perera, FOUR! Two boundaries from the over! It was slower through the air on middle, Perera dances down the track and goes uppishly over mid on for a boundary. |
| Moeen Ali is back on. |
| 75.1 : M Ali to Silva, This is hit down to long on for a run. |
| 75.2 : M Ali to Perera, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 75.3 : M Ali to Perera, Flatter and outside off, it turns back in. Dilruwan looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 75.4 : M Ali to Perera, Gives it air on off, the batsman drives it to covers. |
| 75.5 : M Ali to Perera, A huge appeal but not given! Was there an inside edge there? Not sure but the English players were very sure about it. They do not have a review though. This is floated up around off, it comes back in. Dilruwan tries to defend but it goes off something to the short leg fielder. Replays later on show that a review would not have made a difference as it was off the pads. |
| 75.6 : M Ali to Perera, Gives it air on middle, Perera works it to mid-wicket. |
| 76.1 : Joe Root to Silva, Quicker on middle, Roshen opens the face of the bat and taps it through third man for a couple of runs. |
| 76.2 : Joe Root to Silva, A tad short on off, Silva taps it to point. |
| 76.3 : Joe Root to Silva, Fires it on middle, the batsman works it to the leg side. |
| 76.4 : Joe Root to Silva, It was full on leg, the batsman tries to flick it but hits the pads and lobs it the hands of the fielder. |
| 76.5 : Joe Root to Silva, Quicker lands it on off, Silva hangs back and punches it off the back foot through covers. |
| 76.6 : Joe Root to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva works it to leg side for a run. |
| 77.1 : M Ali to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 77.2 : M Ali to Silva, It was tossed up outside off, Silva tries to poke at it but misses it completely. |
| 77.3 : M Ali to Silva, Full on middle, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 77.4 : M Ali to Silva, Full on leg, Silva flicks it off his pads straight to the fine leg fielder. |
| 77.5 : M Ali to Silva, Quicker on middle, Silva tucks it to on side for a run. |
| 77.6 : M Ali to Perera, A tad fuller and quicker on leg. The batsman tries to flick but the ball hits him low on the pad. The bowler appeals but umpire is not interested in the appeal. And that is TEA ON DAY 2. |
| A session of two halves! The first hour was dominated by England where Adil Rashid got rid of both, Dhananjaya and Mathews. At that time, it seemed like the visitors will take a good enough lead. It was not to be though. Sri Lanka fought back through two decent partnerships out of which one is still unbeaten. It was Dickwella and Silva first and now the latter with Dilruwan. |
| The hosts trail by another 41 runs and they still have three wickets in hand. The Lankans still have Silva out there and the hosts would hope he can do the majority of the scoring. England on the other hand, will look to wrap it up quickly after the break. |
| ... Day 2, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session. Only 24 overs more to go. The over rate has been really good. Roshen Silva and Dilruwan Perera walk out to the middle. Joe Root will bowl the first over after the break. Here we go... |
| 78.1 : Joe Root to Silva, Starts off with a delivery down the leg side, Silva lets it be. |
| 78.2 : Joe Root to Silva, Another poor ball, short and down the leg side, Silva pulls it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 78.3 : Joe Root to Silva, Tosses it up on middle, Silva works it around the corner for a single. |
| 78.4 : Joe Root to Perera, Gives it air on middle, Perera flicks it to short leg. |
| 78.5 : Joe Root to Perera, On the pads, the batsman looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 78.6 : Joe Root to Perera, FOUR! A boundary to end! Brings up the 250 for Lanka. They are now only 34 runs behind. Another freebie. Short and outside off, Perera punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. |
| 79.1 : J Leach to R Silva, Floats it up on off, it is driven to mid off. |
| 79.2 : J Leach to Silva, Fifty for Silva, his 4th in this format. An excellent knock on comeback and it could not have come on a better time. The Sri Lankans were struggling but his innings have taken them to safer shores. He strokes this through covers to get to that milestone. |
| 79.3 : J Leach to Perera, Outside off, left alone. |
| 79.4 : J Leach to Perera, OUT! LBW! Once again England strike early the break! Leach gets his third. This is pitched around middle, the ball straightens a touch. Perera tries to defend but misses as the ball skids through. Hits him on the front pad and the umpire raises his finger. Lanka now trail by 33 with 2 wickets in hand. |
| Akila Dananjaya walks in at no. 10. |
| 79.5 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Floats it up on the pads, it is worked through short fine leg for a run. |
| 79.6 : J Leach to Silva, Slower through the air on off, Silva defends it out. |
| Moeen Ali is back on. |
| 80.1 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Starts off with flatter delivery on middle, Akila hangs back and cuts it through point. Roshen only wanted a couple but they go for the second run and make it in the end. |
| 80.2 : M Ali to Silva, FOUR! It was a tad full on off, Silva reverse sweeps it through third man and the ball races away to the boundary. |
| 80.3 : M Ali to Silva, Fuller delivery on leg, the batsman hangs back and tries to flick it but misses it and the ball hits the pad. The bowler appeals but it was sliding down leg. |
| 80.4 : M Ali to Silva, Quicker on middle, Silva punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 80.5 : M Ali to Dananjaya, On middle, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 80.6 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Flatter on middle, Akila punches it through point. The batsman take a run. |
| 81.1 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Fuller delivery on middle, Akila flicks it through mid off and they get couple of runs. |
| 81.2 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Quicker on middle, the batsman punches it off the back foot to the cover fielder. |
| 81.3 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Flighted delivery on middle, Akila leans forward and the ball spins in. He gets the thick inside edge. Jennings went to his left to catch it but it goes past him. Escape for him. |
| 81.4 : J Leach to Silva, Full on middle, Silva works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 81.5 : J Leach to Dananjaya, On middle, Akila tucks it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 81.6 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter on middle, Silva opens the face of the bat and taps it to the short third man. |
| The second new ball has been taken! James Anderson is back on. |
| 82.1 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Fuller length angling it on leg, Akila tries to flick it but it hits the pad. The ball goes towards fine leg and they get a single. |
| 82.2 : J Anderson to Silva, Length delivery outside off, The batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 82.3 : J Anderson to Silva, Length delivery on off. Silva tries to push it towards point but misses it completely. |
| 82.4 : J Anderson to Silva, In the channel outside off, the batsman lets it be. |
| 82.5 : J Anderson to Silva, Fullish length on middle, Silva works it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 82.6 : J Anderson to Silva, Length delivery outside off, Silva lets it be. |
| 83.1 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Short ball outside off, Akila punches it to the off side to give his partner the strike. |
| 83.2 : J Leach to Silva, Lovely! Loopy ball around off, Roshen feels for it but misses. |
| 83.3 : J Leach to Silva, DROPPED! But a very tough chance. Silva looks to play it late towards third man. Cuts it fine but Stokes at first slip sticks his hand out and the ball almost gets stuck. |
| 83.4 : J Leach to Silva, Slower ball in line of the stumps, Silva is solid in defense. |
| 83.5 : J Leach to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 83.6 : J Leach to Silva, Gives this air on middle, Silva bunts it down. |
| 84.1 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Back of a length delivery on middle, Akila taps it to off side. |
| 84.2 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Fuller length angling in a bit, Akila drives it straight to mid off. |
| 84.3 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Back of a length swings away. Akila tries to poke at it but luckily misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 84.4 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Fuller length on middle, the batsman tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 84.5 : J Anderson to Silva, A tad fuller on middle, Silva works it to the square leg region for a run. |
| 84.6 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Length delivery outside off, Akila lets it go. |
| 85.1 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter on off, Silva opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man. The batsmen take two runs. But it is signaled a dead ball. As Roshen Silva has not grounded his bat while running. Umpire gives five penalty runs to England. |
| 85.2 : J Leach to Silva, On middle, Silva has defended it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 85.3 : J Leach to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 85.4 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted on middle, Silva watchfully blocks it. |
| 85.5 : J Leach to Silva, Full on middle, Silva works it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 85.6 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Loopy delivery on off, Akila pushes it towards the point region for a couple of runs. |
| 86.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Back of a length on off, Silva stands tall and defends it. |
| 86.2 : J Anderson to Silva, Good length and outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 86.3 : J Anderson to Silva, Shortish and on off, Silva stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 86.4 : J Anderson to Silva, Well bowled! Angles it into the batter and then gets it to leave him late. Silva tries to defend but is beaten. |
| 86.5 : J Anderson to Silva, A little too wide outside off, left alone. |
| 86.6 : J Anderson to Silva, Closer to the off pole, not close enough to make the batsman play. |
| Sam Curran is back on. |
| 87.1 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, FOUR! EXQUISITE! Overpitched from Sam and Akila leans forward and drives it firmly through covers for a boundary. Beautiful shot that. |
| 87.2 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, FOUR! Not a good start from Sam. He errs in line and length. It was bowled full on leg, Akila tickles it through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 87.3 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Length delivery on middle, the batsman watchfully defends it with a straight bat. |
| 87.4 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Full down leg, Akila flicks it off his pads through fine leg. The batsmen get a brace. |
| 87.5 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 87.6 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Length delivery on leg, Akila tries to flick it but it hits him on the thigh pad. |
| 88.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Length delivery on leg, Silva tried to tuck it to leg side but it hits him high on the thigh pad. |
| 88.2 : J Anderson to Silva, Fuller length on middle, Silva tucks it off his pads through leg side. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 88.3 : J Anderson to Silva, Length delivery outside off, the batsman lets it be. |
| 88.4 : J Anderson to Silva, A tad full on middle, Silva flicks it through square leg for a brace. |
| 88.5 : J Anderson to Silva, Little bit fuller on middle, Silva tries to push it towards point. But fails to connect it. |
| 88.6 : J Anderson to Silva, Identical delivery, Silva tries to drive it goes past the outside edge of the bat. |
| 89.1 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Good length around off, Akila first thinks of playing at it but then tries to leave. He is late in doing so and the ball hits the bottom and goes towards gully. |
| 89.2 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Leading edge but safe! The outswinger on middle, Akila closes the face of the bat a touch early, gets a leading edge which balloons over covers for a run. |
| 89.3 : Sam Curran to Silva, This is flicked through square leg for a run. |
| 89.4 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, On the pads, Dananjaya works it through backward square leg for a couple. |
| 89.5 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Around off, Dananjaya pushes it to covers. |
| 89.6 : Sam Curran to Dananjaya, Back of a length on off, Akila defends it onto the ground. |
| 90.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Full down leg. Roshen tries to flick it but could not connect it. |
| 90.2 : J Anderson to Silva, Fullish length on middle, the batsman flicks it through sqaure leg for a single. |
| 90.3 : J Anderson to A Dananjaya, FOUR! EDGED BUT SAFE! Length delivery on middle, angling away, Akila pokes at it. Gets the thick outside edge and the ball flies it through the gully region and the batsman get a boundary. |
| 90.4 : J Anderson to A Dananjaya, DROPPED! Full on middle, Akila goes for the drive. Hits it uppishly towards cover. Buttler dives to his left to catch it but can't hang on to it. Brilliant effort though. |
| 90.5 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 90.6 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Bouncer from Anderson. Akila nicely ducks underneath it. |
| Moeen Ali is back on. |
| 91.1 : M Ali to R Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Silva leans forward and tries to push it towards point, but gets thick inside edge and the ball goes towards fine leg for a single. Also brings up 300 for Sri Lanka. |
| 91.2 : M Ali to A Dananjaya, Full on middle, Akila drives it through covers for a run. |
| 91.3 : M Ali to Silva, Flighted on middle, the batsman prods forward, gets a thick inside edge and it hits him on the pads. |
| 91.4 : M Ali to Silva, On middle, Silva flicks it to the leg side. |
| 91.5 : M Ali to Silva, SIX! What a shot. Tossed up delivery on middle, Silva dances down the track and smashes it over long on for a maximum. Brings up the fifty run partnership between these two. A handy partnership for the Lankans. |
| 91.6 : M Ali to R Silva, Flatter and quicker on off, Silva tries to tap it through third man but the ball goes towards point. |
| Drinks! |
| 92.1 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Short of a length delivery angling away. Akila tries to poke at it but misses it completely. |
| 92.2 : J Anderson to R Silva, Fuller length on middle, Akila pushes it towards covers. Batsman goes for the run. Akila sends him back but Silva was way ahead of the crease. The fielder has a shy at the stumps but he misses it. If he had hit that he would have been a goner. |
| 92.3 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, On middle, Akila pushes it to the covers. |
| 92.4 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Back of a length on middle, the batsman defends it off the back foot and into the ground. |
| 92.5 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, Length delivery on middle, Akila tries to push at it. Luckily for him he did not get the outside edge. |
| 92.6 : J Anderson to Dananjaya, In the channel outside off. The batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 93.1 : M Ali to Silva, Flatter and outside off, the batsman pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 93.2 : M Ali to Dananjaya, OUT! No. 9 down. Dead straight. Moeen comes in from around the wicket and lands it full on middle and leg. Akila misses the ball and gets rapped straight in front. The players appeal and the umpire takes no time in raising his finger. Dananjaya walks without taking the review but has done more than a decent job with the bat. |
| Suranga Lakmal is the last man in. |
| 93.3 : M Ali to Lakmal, Another loud appeal but this one is going down leg. Spins in and hits Lakmal on the pads. Replays show us that it was indeed going down leg. |
| 93.4 : M Ali to Lakmal, Full on leg, flicked through square leg to give Roshen the strike. |
| 93.5 : M Ali to Silva, Flat on off, punched off the back foot. |
| 93.6 : M Ali to Silva, Cannot retain strike for the next one. On off, Silva cannot get it past the cover fielder. |
| 94.1 : J Anderson to Lakmal, Back of a length on middle, Lakmal defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 94.2 : J Anderson to Lakmal, Fuller length on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 94.3 : J Anderson to Lakmal, On middle, Suranga tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 94.4 : J Anderson to Silva, Full on middle, Lakmal works it through square leg for a single. |
| 94.5 : J Anderson to Lakmal, FOUR! STREAKY! A tad short, Lakmal goes for the pull, hits the top edge of the bat and the ball goes toward third man for a boundary. |
| 94.6 : J Anderson to Lakmal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 95.1 : M Ali to Silva, Drags it short, Silva punches it off the back foot through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 95.2 : M Ali to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 95.3 : M Ali to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva works it through leg side for a run. |
| 95.4 : M Ali to Lakmal, Flatter and quicker on middle, the batsman tucks it to the square leg for a single. |
| 95.5 : M Ali to Silva, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 95.6 : M Ali to Silva, On middle, Silva strokes it to long on for a single. |
| Adil Rashid is back on. |
| 96.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, the ball spins a lot after pitching. Lakmal does not need to play at those. |
| 96.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva pushes it to the covers. |
| 96.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Loopy delivery wayy outside off. The batsman lets it go. |
| 96.4 : A Rashid to R Silva, Tosses it up on middle, Silva leans forward and gets a thick inside edge on to the pads. The ball goes towards fine leg. Batsman gets a run. |
| 96.5 : A Rashid to Lakmal, Fuller on middle, Lakmal pushes it straight to the bowler. |
| 96.6 : A Rashid to Lakmal, Loopy delivery outside off, Lakmal goes for the drives but gets the thick inside edge and the ball goes straight to the bowler. |
| 97.1 : M Ali to R Silva, Full and around off, driven to mid off for one. Lakmal will have to face the next five balls now. |
| 97.2 : M Ali to Lakmal, Flatter ball down leg, turned around the corner. |
| 97.3 : M Ali to Lakmal, Quicker one coming in, Lakmal misses his flick to get hit on the thigh pads. |
| 97.4 : M Ali to Lakmal, Arm ball on middle, flicked to the on side to rotate strike. Good confidence shown from Roshen. |
| 97.5 : M Ali to Silva, Full around off, milked through square leg. One last ball for Lakmal to survive. |
| 97.6 : M Ali to Lakmal, Outside off, punched off the back foot to the on side. |
| 98.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted on middle, Lakmal defends it with a straight bat. |
| 98.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Half tracker from Rashid, the batsman tries to pulls it over mid-wicket but gets the toe end of the bat and the ball goes towards first slip cordon. |
| 98.3 : A Rashid to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 98.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Full on middle, Silva works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 98.5 : A Rashid to Silva, On middle, Silva drives it straight to the covers. |
| 98.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Outside off, tries to cut, but chops it onto the keeper. |
| 99.1 : M Ali to Lakmal, Tosses it up on middle, Lakmal flicks to the leg side. |
| 99.2 : M Ali to Lakmal, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 99.3 : M Ali to Lakmal, FOUR! Easy pickings there for Lakmal. It was dragged in short and Lakmal pulls it towards deep square leg for a boundary. Useful runs for the Lankans. |
| 99.4 : M Ali to Lakmal, On middle, the batsman flicks it through mid-wicket. |
| 99.5 : M Ali to Lakmal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 99.6 : M Ali to Lakmal, Tossed it up on middle, Suranga defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 100.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Flatter on off, kept out. |
| 100.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives it air, Silva defends it off the front foot. |
| 100.3 : A Rashid to Silva, This is eased down to long off but no runs taken. |
| 100.4 : A Rashid to Silva, On the pads, the batsman tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball runs down fine on the leg side, the batsmen get two leg byes. |
| 100.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. Two runs added to the total. |
| 100.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Flatter and on off, Silva punches it to covers. |
| Jack Leach to replace Moeen Ali. |
| 101.1 : J Leach to Lakmal, Tosses it up on middle, Lakmal defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 101.2 : J Leach to Lakmal, A tad fuller on middle, the batsman pushes it straight to the bowler. |
| 101.3 : J Leach to Lakmal, On middle, Surangs keeps it out. |
| 101.4 : J Leach to Lakmal, Similar delivery, Lakmal blocks it out. |
| 101.5 : J Leach to Lakmal, Flighted on middle, the batsman leans forward and tries to defend it but goes past the outside edge of the bat. |
| 101.6 : J Leach to Lakmal, Similar delivery spins away only. Lakmal leans forward but the ball misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 102.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva pushes it to the point region for a single. |
| 102.2 : A Rashid to Lakmal, Flatter on middle, Lakmal has punched the ball through covers. |
| 102.3 : A Rashid to Lakmal, Drifts on his pads, Lakmal nudges it to the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 102.4 : A Rashid to Lakmal, Lakmal has punched it off the back foot to the point fielder. |
| 102.5 : A Rashid to Lakmal, The batsman has nudged the ball fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 102.6 : A Rashid to Silva, OUT! That is it! Roshen Silva's fine innings comes to an end! Rashid gets his third, he tosses this up on middle. Silva comes down the track and tries to go over mid on but does not get the desired elevation. Ali there accepts an easy catch. SRI LANKA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 336! |
| What a comeback by Sri Lanka, they have not only wiped the deficit out but have also taken a lead of 46. Who would have thought they would head into the third innings with the advantage, especially when Mathews was dismissed and the Lankans were reeling at 165-6. England looked all set to take a big lead but the Lankan lower-order gave them a taste of thier own medicine. Roshen Silva was the mainstay and the rest played around him. The lower-order added 171 runs between them and now Sri Lanka ar |
| England have one over to face and Sri Lanka would love a wicket here today. Six balls is all the openers have to tackle but let me tell you, it is going to be a very nervy period. Can Sri Lanka pick atleast one or will England enter Day 3 unscathed? Join us to fine out. |
| 0.1 : D Perera to Leach, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Leach defends it off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 0.2 : D Perera to Leach, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 0.3 : D Perera to Leach, Tossed up delivery on middle, Leach defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 0.4 : D Perera to Leach, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 0.5 : D Perera to Leach, On middle, Leach watchfully blocks it out. |
| 0.6 : D Perera to Leach, Not the last ball Perera would have wanted to bowl! He lands it outside off, it turns away further. Leach makes a leave. That is STUMPS ON DAY 2. |
| England have managed to enter Day 3 without losing a wicket but it is Sri Lanka who will be the happier side walking off. However, they day did not start in the best of fashions for them as they lost the nightwatchman early. Karunaratne and Dhananjaya did score fifties and steady the ship with a 96-run stand but a run out changed the game. |
| England then managed to take wickets at regular intervals and had Sri Lanka struggling. However, an excellent fightback from the lower-order with Roshen Silva being the hero, helped Sri Lanka take the lead. |
| Once again it was the English spinners who were amongst the wickets. Leach was the most impressive as he finished with a three fer. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali finished with 5 amongst them. But they will be disappointed in letting Sri Lanka off the hook. They bowled extremely well to the top order but struggled to finish the innings off. |
| How vital will Roshen Silva's knock prove? The wicket is doing a lot and now Sri Lanka will hope their bowlers can step up. Also, they need to bundle England out quickly as they will be batting 4th on a wicket which will be expected to crumble even more. England on the other hand, will want one of their batsman to score a big one and the others to play around him. Anything around 250 can be a competitive score. The match is poised nicely and Day 3 promises to be an exciting day of cricket. Do jo |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| As we call it in cricket, Day 3 is always known as a moving day where we get to know which team will have a firm grip on the match going forward. After an exciting couple of days of cricket, the Lankans are ahead at the moment taking a decent lead on Day 2. With the pitch breaking up, we could see more turn and low bounce today. The visitors will have a tough task today to hang in. The batters will need to be patient today and get runs whenever a loose ball is bowled. Captain Root needs a big sc |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says the pitch is slow and if the bowlers do bowl in the right areas they will get the reward for it. Reckons there are rough patches in the wicket. Ends by saying it will be testing conditions for the batsman. |
| We are all set for the action to begin! Out come the players. Jack Leach and Rory Burns will resume their innings. For Sri Lanka, it is spin to start with, Malinda Pushpakumara to start the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 1.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Rory sweeps it through fine leg. First run of the day for England. |
| 1.2 : M Pushpakumara to Leach, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 1.3 : M Pushpakumara to J Leach, Full toss on middle, Leach strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 1.4 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Flatter and fuller on middle, Rory defends it from within the crease. |
| 1.5 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Quicker on middle, Burns tries to sweeps but gets the top edge of the bat and the ball goes towards fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 1.6 : M Pushpakumara to R Burns, On middle, the batsman drives it to mid on. |
| Dilruwan Perera to bowl from the other end. |
| 2.1 : D Perera to Leach, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman tries to defend it off the front foot but the ball straightens and struck him on the thigh pad. |
| 2.2 : D Perera to Leach, Tossed up on middle, the batsman is rooted to his crease as he tries to defend but the ball spins away from him and beats the outside edge. |
| Early review! A huge appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Sri Lanka feel they have got their man and have reviewed it. Leach is the man in question. Looks very close. |
| 2.3 : D Perera to Leach, OUT! That is more than close, that is right in front! It has straightened and it has straightened enough. The nightwatchman is dismissed early this morning. And once again in this game, Sri Lanka have made excellent use of the technology. Superb bowling by Perera, he bowled the last two a little slower. This time he fires it on middle, the ball straightens a touch. Leach misses the sweep and gets hit on the thigh. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. Lakmal s |
| Keaton Jennings is in at no. 3. |
| 2.4 : D Perera to Jennings, Fuller and quicker on middle, Jennings defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.5 : D Perera to Jennings, Slower through the air, the batsman rocks back and the ball spins away from him. He does not need to play at those |
| 2.6 : D Perera to Jennings, On middle, Keaton defends it off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 3.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, A tad fuller on middle, Burns flicks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 3.2 : M Pushpakumara to K Jennings, Fuller delivery on middle, the batsman has driven it straight to mid on. |
| 3.3 : M Pushpakumara to Jennings, Little bit fuller this time, Jennings reverse sweeps it through third man for a run. |
| 3.4 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Flighted on middle, Burns taps it to the point region for a run. |
| 3.5 : M Pushpakumara to Jennings, Full on middle, Jennings reverse sweeps it through off side for a single. |
| 3.6 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Tossed up on middle, Burns flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 4.1 : D Perera to Burns, Little bit fuller on middle, Burns taps it through point for a single. |
| 4.2 : D Perera to Jennings, Flighted delivery on middle, the ball spins away from. Jennings lets it go. |
| 4.3 : D Perera to Jennings, On middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 4.4 : D Perera to Jennings, Flighted on middle, Jennings flicks it through leg side for a run. |
| 4.5 : D Perera to Burns, Tossed up delivery on middle, Burns tries to defend it but it spins away and it beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 4.6 : D Perera to Burns, A tad fuller on middle, Burns taps it through point for a single. |
| 5.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, A tad fuller around off, Burns tries to sweep it but he misses it. |
| 5.2 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Slower through the air on middle, Burns has played that off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 5.3 : M Pushpakumara to Jennings, Little bit quicker on middle, the batsman plays a sweep shit through square leg for a run. |
| 5.4 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Fires it on middle, Burns tucks it through mid-wicket. Batsman run for a single. The fielder has a shy at the stumps but Burns make it home. |
| 5.5 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.6 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Drifts on his pads, Burns tries to sweep it but he misses and hit low on the pads and the ball goes towards leg side. The batsman rotate strike. |
| 6.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Nicely played! This was quicker around off, Burns goes back, waits for the ball and then guides it through point for a couple. |
| 6.2 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, LEADING EDGE! This is tossed up on the leg stump, it straightens a touch. Burns tries to work it around the corner but gets a leading edge towards point. Never a good idea to play across the line on a wicket which is turning. |
| 6.3 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Flatter and on off, Burns pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 6.4 : M Pushpakumara to Jennings, FOUR! innovation and it comes off really well! Plays the reverse sweep fine on the off side and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 6.5 : M Pushpakumara to Jennings, The straighter one on middle, Jennings gets his bat down in time and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 6.6 : M Pushpakumara to Jennings, Darts it on middle, Jennings tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg. |
| Akila Dananjaya is into the attack. |
| 7.1 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 7.2 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, A tad fuller on this occasion, Jennings has pushed it to mid off . |
| Has Dananjaya struck? The umpires have gone upstairs to check if the catch is clean or not. The soft signal is NOT OUT! |
| 7.3 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, NOUT OUT! Just falls short of the fielder. It was nicely tossed up delivery, Jennings leans forward and he poke at it. But he gets the outside edge of the bat and the ball goes falls just short of the slip fielder. The fielders are not sure whether he catches it properly or not. The umpire goes upstairs to see that. The replays shows it was dropped just short. |
| 7.4 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, On middle, Jennings reverse sweeps it through third man for a run. |
| 7.5 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Quicker on middle, Burns has played that off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 7.6 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Full on middle, the batsman has driven it straight to the covers. |
| 8.1 : D Perera to Burns, Flatter and on the pads, it is worked around the corner for a run. |
| 8.2 : D Perera to K Jennings, Tight run! This is floated up on off, it turns away. Jennings tries to defend but gets an outside edge towards short third man. The batsmen go for a run, the fielder has a shy at the striker's end but misses. |
| 7.3 : D Perera to R Burns, 1 run. |
| 7.4 : D Perera to Jennings, 1 run. |
| 7.5 : D Perera to Burns, No run. |
| 7.6 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR. |
| 9.1 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, 2 runs. |
| 9.2 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Perfect. Loopy ball around off, gets it to turn away. Jennings leaves it at the last minute. |
| 9.3 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, A bit full on middle and leg, Keaton reverse sweeps it towards short third man to change ends. |
| 9.4 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, An appeal which dies down. On leg, Jennings is forward to block it. His bat and pad are close together. They appeal but that was an clear inside edge. |
| 9.5 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Keaton has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one. |
| 9.6 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Very effective against spin this. Taps this towards mid off and sets off for the run. |
| 10.1 : D Perera to Jennings, The slider on the leg pole, Jennings tries to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 10.2 : D Perera to Jennings, Floats it up on the pads, Jennings tries to flick but misses, the ball brushes the pads and goes to leg slip. |
| 10.3 : D Perera to Jennings, Jennings works this around the corner with the angle, it is in the gap so a couple results. |
| 10.4 : D Perera to Jennings, This is floated up on off, Jennings pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 10.5 : D Perera to Burns, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. One run added to the total. |
| 10.6 : D Perera to Jennings, On the stumps, it is kept out. |
| 11.1 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Flighted delivery on middle, Burns sweeps it through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 11.2 : A Dananjaya to Burns, A tad fuller on middle, Burns defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 11.3 : A Dananjaya to Burns, On the shorter side, the batsman punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 11.4 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, On middle, Jennings has pushed it through the point region. |
| 11.5 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Quicker on middle, Keaton watchfully defends it. |
| 11.6 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Flighted delivery on middle, Jennings has kept it out. |
| 12.1 : D Perera to Burns, Sharp turn! That is unplayable! Not a lot you can do about that delivery! This is flatter and around off, it pitches, turns away and also bounces. Burns first thinks of punching it through the off side but seeing the turn and the bounce bails out. |
| 12.2 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR! England into the lead now! Down the leg side, easy pickings for Burns. He sweeps it through short fine leg and the ball races away. |
| 12.3 : D Perera to Burns, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This is even better than the last one! It is swept right off the middle and through backward square leg, there is a fielder in the deep but he has no chance. |
| 12.4 : D Perera to Burns, Flatter and around off, the batsman goes back and punches it to covers. |
| 12.5 : D Perera to Burns, Fires it on off, Burns opts to play it off the back foot to a ball which he probably should have played forward too. He though gets his bat down in time and keeps it out. |
| 12.6 : D Perera to Burns, A huge appeal! But not given! This is down the leg side, Burns goes for the flick but it goes off something to Dickwella. He lets out a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Lakmal then thinks about it and after giving it a long thought, he does not review it. It was off the pads one would believe. |
| 13.1 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Low full toss on middle, Jennings reverse sweeps it through short third man for a single. Also brings up the fifty partnership. It comes at a handy time for them. |
| 13.2 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Flighted delivery on middle, Burns tries to sweep it but the ball turns away and keeper collects it nicely. |
| 13.3 : A Dananjaya to Burns, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 13.4 : A Dananjaya to Burns, A tad fuller on middle, Burns keeps it out. |
| 13.5 : A Dananjaya to R Burns, FOUR! Overpitched and driven it handsomely. A tad full on middle, Burns leans forward and drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary. |
| 13.6 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Loopy delivery on middle, Burns sweeps it firmly but straight to the square leg fielder. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is into the attack. |
| 14.1 : de Silva to Jennings, Quicker delivery on middle, Jennings has played that off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 14.2 : de Silva to Jennings, Tossed up delivery on middle, Keaton keeps it out. |
| 14.3 : de Silva to Jennings, Flatter on middle, Jennings tucks it to leg side for a run. |
| 14.4 : de Silva to Burns, Quicker on middle, Burns watchfully defends it. |
| 14.5 : de Silva to Burns, A touch fuller on middle, Burns drives it to wide mid off, Mathews at the boundary misfields it and batsman take two runs in the end. |
| Sri Lanka have taken a review for an LBW. Burns is the man in question. Impact is an issue. |
| 14.6 : de Silva to Burns,NOT OUT AND FOUR LEG BYES! A huge appeal for lbw. A touch fuller on leg, strucks the batsman on the front pad. The bowler appeals. Umpires says it not out. The fielding side then take a review. The replay show that the impact is just outside off and the Lankans lose a review. Burns survives. The ball then goes towards fine leg for a boundary. |
| 15.1 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Flatter and around off, the batsman pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 15.2 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Floats it up on off, the batter strokes it to covers. |
| 15.3 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Gives it air outside off, Jennings makes a leave. |
| 15.4 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Bowls this quicker and flatter on off, Jennings punches it through covers for a run. |
| 15.5 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Slower through the air outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 15.6 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, BEAUTY! Drits it into the off pole at first and then gets it to leave the batsman. Jennings prods forward and tries to defend but is beaten by the spin. |
| Drinks! |
| 16.1 : de Silva to Burns, Fuller on middle, Burns pushes it to the cover region. |
| 16.2 : de Silva to Burns, Quicker outside off, the batsman lets it go. |
| 16.3 : de Silva to Burns, Flatter and quicker on off, Burns punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 16.4 : de Silva to Jennings, On middle, Jennings defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 16.5 : de Silva to Jennings, On the stumps, it is kept out. |
| 16.6 : de Silva to K Jennings, A tad fuller on middle, Jennings drives it through covers for a run. |
| 17.1 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, A tad full on middle, Jennings sweeps it through fine leg for a run. |
| 17.2 : A Dananjaya to Burns, FOUR! A low full toss on middle, Burns sweeps it fine through square leg and the ball races away to the boundary. |
| 17.3 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Flighted delivery on middle, Burns tries to sweep it but the ball spins away sharply beating the top edge of the bat. |
| 17.4 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Flatter and quicker on middle, Burns punches it off the back foot through point for a single. |
| 17.5 : A Dananjaya to Jennings, Fuller on middle, Jennings reverse sweeps it through short third man for a run. |
| 17.6 : A Dananjaya to Burns, On the stumps, it is kept out. |
| 18.1 : de Silva to Jennings, Quicker ball down leg, Keaton taps it to the on side. |
| 18.2 : de Silva to Jennings, Around off, kept out. |
| 18.3 : de Silva to Jennings, Floated ball on off, Keaton is solid is defense. |
| 18.4 : de Silva to Jennings,Outside off, played with an open bat face towards the gully region. One run taken. |
| 18.5 : de Silva to Burns, Flatter in line of the stumps, punched back to the bowler. |
| 18.6 : de Silva to Burns, Closer to the of pole, cut to backward point. Dot ball. Decent over, just the one from it. |
| 19.1 : A Dananjaya to K Jennings, OUT! Akila breaks the partnership. Crucial wicket for Sri Lanka. It was tossed up delivery on middle, Jennings tries to reverse sweep it. The ball bounced on him, it hits on the glove, then the body and the ball lobs it straight in the hands of the first slip fielder de Silva who takes an easy catch. A partnership of 73 has been broken. |
| 0.0 : Joe Root is the new man in. |
| 19.2 : A Dananjaya to Root, Straightaway plays the sweep shot towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 19.3 : A Dananjaya to R Burns, Tosses it up on middle, it is pushed towards mid on for a quick run. |
| 19.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, First shapes up to play the paddle but in the end seeing it was not the right ball to play that shot, adjusts and defends it off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : A Dananjaya to Root, FOUR! A gift, it though still has to be put away! A high full toss and Root takes full toll of it. He pulls it through square leg and the ball races away. |
| 19.6 : A Dananjaya to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.1 : de Silva to Burns, Fuller delivery on middle , Burns defends it from within the crease. |
| 20.2 : de Silva to Burns, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.3 : de Silva to Burns, Flighted delivery on middle, Burns plays a sweep shot but straight to the square leg fielder. |
| 20.4 : de Silva to Burns, Flatter and quicker on middle, Burns punches it off the back foot through covers. |
| 20.5 : de Silva to Burns, Similar delivery on middle, Burns rocks and punches to the point fielder. |
| 20.6 : de Silva to Burns, Flighted delivery on middle, Burns lofts it over covers for a single. |
| Malinda Pushpakumara is back on. |
| 21.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, A tad fuller on middle, Burns flicks it through leg side for a run. |
| 21.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root sweeps it through on side but straight to the fielder. |
| 21.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Tossed up delivery on middle, Root tries to punch off the back foot but misses it completely. |
| 21.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Gives a bit of air on middle, Root goes down in one knee and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 21.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Slower through the air around off, goes for the sweep again but misses it completely. |
| 21.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, On middle, Root defends it watchfully. |
| Change of ends for Akila. |
| 22.1 : A Dananjaya to Burns, Tosses it up on middle, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 22.2 : A Dananjaya to Burns, BEATEN! Turn and bounce again! This is floated up on middle, it turns square and also bounces a touch exra. Beats the outside edge of Burns' bat. |
| 22.3 : A Dananjaya to Burns, FOUR! Maiden Test fifty for Rory Burns! What a time to get it. England were on the back foot this morning and needed someone to step up and the opener has done so. His job is not done as of now and he needs to continue. He plays another excellent sweep shot to get to that milestone. Goes down on one knee and sweeps it through square leg. It is right in the gap in that region and a boundary results. The crowd is on its feet to applaud and he acknowledges is but raising |
| 22.4 : A Dananjaya to Burns, On the pads, it is tucked around the corner for a run. |
| 22.5 : A Dananjaya to Root, Comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball, it is worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 22.6 : A Dananjaya to Root, Root plays the sweep this time and plays it well. It goes through square leg for a couple. |
| 23.1 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Full around off, Burns sweeps it through fine leg for a single. |
| 23.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Quicker on middle, Root plays off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 23.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A tad fuller on middle, Root sweeps it behind fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 23.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Fires it around off, Root goes for the square cut but straight to the fielder. |
| 23.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted delivery around off, Root tries to sweep it again but misses it again. |
| 23.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Gives a bit of air on middle, Root goes for the sweep, he gets the toe end of the bat but the goes uppishly over third man. Lucky for Root it did not fall in the fielder. One run added to the total and also brings up the 100 runs for England. These two need to bat for a longer period of time. |
| 24.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Root brings out the reverse sweep and hits it on the ground to the first slip fielder. |
| 24.2 : A Dananjaya to Root, Down the leg side, left alone. |
| 24.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, This is flatter on middle, it is kept out. |
| 24.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, Another loud shout but turned down! This is pitched on off, it turns back in. Root tries to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Lanka do not review. Looks to be missing. It is missing but not the leg pole but it is going over. |
| 24.5 : A Dananjaya to Root, This is flatter and on middle, Root goes back and defends it. |
| 24.6 : A Dananjaya to Root, Sweeps it through square leg to retain strike. |
| 25.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Fuller delivery on middle, Root tucks it to leg side for a run. |
| 25.2 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, Works it with the turn through the leg side for a run. |
| 25.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Now Root works it around the corner with the angle for a single. |
| 25.4 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, FOUR! Bad ball and it has been put away! Burns rocks back and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| Burns has been adjudged LBW! He has taken the review. Looks dead. |
| 25.5 : M Pushpakumara to Burns, OUT! Three reds and Burns is out of here! England are now effectively 62 for 3! Pushpakumara gets his first and it is off the set batsman. The shot which he has played so well throughout, brings about his downfall. This is tossed up on off, it straightens a touch. Burns goes for the sweep but takes his eyes off the ball at the very end. He misses and gets hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire agrees. Burns walks upto his skipper and then reviews. Repla |
| Ben Stokes walks out next. |
| 25.6 : M Pushpakumara to Stokes, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| Dilruwan Perera is in for another spell. |
| Now then! After a long thought, Lakmal decides to review another LBW decision. Height looks to be a concern. |
| 26.1 : Perera to Root, NOT OUT! Huge appeal for LBW! It was nicely flighted delivery around off, Root tries to defend it from the crease but the ball spins in sharply and hits the front pad. Bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Sri Lanka go for the review. The replay shows the impact was way outside off. Sri Lanka lose a review here. Sri Lanka have normally been good with the review but today it has been disappointing. |
| 26.2 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root sweeps it through fine leg for a single. |
| Another review by England this time! Stokes has been given LBW. He reviews, looks out though. |
| 26.3 : D Perera to Stokes, OUT! Stokes walks back now and he takes England's last review with him. Both the teams have now lost both their reviews. Two wickets in quick succession for Lanka and England are in a spot of bother here. Stokes' dismissed without troubling the scorers. The change of bowling has worked wonders. Another batsman has been dismissed playing the sweep shot. It is bowled on middle, Stokes goes for the sweep but misses. An appeal follows and the umpire has his finger up immedi |
| Jos Buttler replaces Ben Stokes. |
| 26.4 : D Perera to Buttler, Flatter on middle, it is kept out. |
| 26.5 : D Perera to Buttler, FOUR! Buttler already on the charge here. Full toss on middle, Buttler dances down the track and whips it through deep mid-wicket. The long on fielder tries to stop it but he slips in the process. He is already in contact with the rope as the ball comes in contact with him. A boundary. |
| 26.6 : D Perera to Buttler, Dances down the track and flicks it down to long on for a run. |
| 27.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, FOUR! Second off the innings for Buttler. Malinda drags it short and the batsman punches it off the back foot and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 27.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler drives it straight to covers. |
| 27.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, On middle, Buttler flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 27.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Tossed up delivery on middle, Root goes down on one knee and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 27.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Floats it up on middle, Root watchfully defends it. |
| 27.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Root goes for the sweep through square leg for a brace. |
| 28.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Full and on the pads, Buttler flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 28.2 : D Perera to Root, A low full toss on middle, Root sweeps it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 28.3 : D Perera to Buttler, Buttler dances down the track and hits it to long on for a single. |
| 28.4 : D Perera to Joe Root, Uses his feet and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 28.5 : D Perera to Root, Flatter and on middle, Root goes back and keeps it out. |
| 28.6 : Perera to Root, Howzzat? The answer to that questionis not out! Down the leg side, Root tries to flick, it goes off the pads to the keeper. |
| 29.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Fuller on middle, Buttler drives it to covers. |
| 29.2 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Drags it short on middle, the batsman strokes it to long on for a single. |
| 29.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, On middle, Root defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 29.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Fullish length on middle, Root sweeps it through fine leg for a run. |
| 29.5 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Tossed up delivery on middle, Buttler ease it to long off for a single. |
| 29.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Fuller and quicker on middle, Root defends it off the front foot and into the ground. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 3. |
| Another session of two halves but both the sides will be happy heading into the break. England because they have managed to score freely and have taken the lead close to 100. Sri Lanka, as they have managed to get 4 crucial wickets. |
| The first hour was dominated by England. They lost Leach early but Burns and Jennings then steadied the ship. The two added 73 with the former getting to his half ton. However, Sri Lanka then made a comeback after the drinks break as they got rid of Jennings, the well set Burns and Stokes. Buttler though has come out with a lot of intent and so has Root. England will hope the two can build a partnership of some substance. |
| For Sri Lanka, it has been all spin so far. They have not been at their best but the hosts would hope they put in a better show in the next session. The wicket is still providing good assistance for the spinners and Sri Lanka would not be wanting to chase a big target. What do we have in store for us in the second session? Join us to find out. |
| ... Day 3, Session 2 ... |
| We are underway for the post lunch session. Interesting game of play ahead. Joe Root and Jos Buttler will resume their innings. Dilruwan Perera to start the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 30.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Tossed up on middle stump, Buttler defends off the front foot. |
| 30.2 : D Perera to Jos Buttler, IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Flighted delivery on leg stump, Butler drives it towards short mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single. The fielder dived to his right but it was a tough chance for him. |
| 30.3 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery on leg stump, Root flicks it towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. |
| 30.4 : D Perera to Buttler, Loopy delivery on middle stump, Buttler flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 30.5 : D Perera to Buttler, Tossed up again on middle stump, the batsman plays it towards the bowler. |
| 30.6 : D Perera to Buttler, BYE! |
| Malinda Pushpakumara to bowl from the other end. |
| 31.1 : M Pushpakumara to J Root, Full toss on middle, Root sweeps it through fine leg for a single. |
| 31.2 : M Pushpakumara to J Buttler, LEG BYES! A tad full on leg Buttler was on the back foot, the ball kept a bit low. The keeper misses it and the batsmen take a couple of runs. |
| 31.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full on middle, Root defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 31.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, A tad full on middle, Buttler pushes it to the cover region. |
| 31.5 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 31.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Flighted delivery on middle, Buttler prods forward and taps it to the point. |
| 32.1 : D Perera to Root, On leg, Root skips down the track and flicks it past square leg for a run. |
| 32.2 : D Perera to Buttler, How close was that? Another loud appeal but Sri Lanka have no reviews left. Loopy ball on off, Buttler gets low to sweep but misses it completely. The ball rolls to the off side and they pick up two leg byes. Replays later on shows us that it would have gone on to miss the off pole. |
| 32.3 : D Perera to Buttler, Uses his feet again and turns it to the leg side, one more run taken. |
| 32.4 : D Perera to Root, Around off, kept out. |
| 32.5 : D Perera to Joe Root, Pushed towards mid on to get off strike. |
| 32.6 : D Perera to Buttler, Outside off, a bit flat. Buttler misses his pull and the ball goes to the keeper. |
| 33.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Fuller delivery on middle, Root defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 33.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Tossed up delivery on middle, Root strokes it to long on for a single. Also brings up the 100 runs lead for England. |
| 33.3 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Flighted delivery around off, Buttler pushes it to the point region. |
| 33.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler reverse sweeps it through off side for a run. |
| 33.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Root looks in good touch. Flighted delivery around off, Root goes down on one knee and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 33.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 34.1 : D Perera to Buttler, Tossed up on off, Buttler watchfully blocks it. |
| 34.2 : D Perera to Buttler, LEG BYES! Gives a bit of air on middle, the ball spins back a bit, Jos comes down the track and pads it. The batsmen take a run. |
| 34.3 : D Perera to Root, Fuller delivery on middle, Root keeps it out. |
| 34.4 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery around off. Root shoulders arms to it. |
| 34.5 : D Perera to Root, Quicker on middle, the batsman works it off his pad through leg side for a run. |
| 34.6 : D Perera to Buttler, Flatter on off, Buttler punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 35.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Outside off, cut behind the point region for an easy run. |
| 35.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted ball on middle, Root plays it with a straight bat. |
| 35.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Around off, Root rocks back and bunts it down. |
| 35.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Loopy ball down leg, Root is forward to play at it but gets beaten by the turn. The ball hits his pads outside leg. |
| 35.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full and on off, milked through mid-wicket for another one. |
| 35.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Gives air on off, Root blocks it out. |
| 36.1 : D Perera to Root, Tossed up outside off stump, Root cuts it towards third man. The batsmen take a single. |
| 36.2 : D Perera to Buttler, Fifty partnership between Joe Root and Jos Buttler. Flighted delivery outside off stump, Buttler plays a reverse sweep and it goes towards point. The batsmen pick up a couple. This is a crucial partnership for England because they need to give a good score for their bowlers to defend. |
| 36.3 : D Perera to Buttler, Tossed up again on middle stump, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 36.4 : D Perera to Buttler, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Buttler sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen take a single. |
| 36.5 : D Perera to Root, Loopy delivery on off stump, Root plays a reverse sweep towards point. The batsmen take a single. |
| 36.6 : D Perera to Buttler, FOUR! Good shot. Tossed up outside off stump, Buttler rocks back and cuts it towards point for a beautiful boundary. |
| 37.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A tad fuller on middle, Root pushes it to the point for a single. |
| 37.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, On middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 37.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted delivery on off, Root tucks it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 37.4 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Quicker on middle, Buttler defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 37.5 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Loopy delivery around off, Buttler defends it from within the crease. |
| 37.6 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Gives it a bit of air on middle, the batsman defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Akila Dananjaya is back on. |
| 38.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up on leg stump, Root pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 38.2 : A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Root pads it away and goes down leg. |
| 38.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, Bowls full on middle stump, Root hits it straight towards the bowler. |
| 38.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, Root flicks it towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. |
| 38.5 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, Loopy delivery on leg stump, Buttler flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 38.6 : A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted delivery on off stump, the skipper defends off the front foot. |
| 39.1 : M Pushpakumara to Buttler, Quicker on middle, Buttler strokes it to long off for a single. |
| 39.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A tad full on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 39.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full delivery down leg, Root tries to sweep it, but gets the bottom edge of the bat and the ball goes towards the fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 39.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root,FOUR! ELEGANCE! Overpitched from Malinda and Root drives it firmly through covers for a boundary. |
| 39.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A tad short around off, Root late cuts it through third man. The fielder Lakmal chases back. He dives it and stops it from going to the boundary. Saves a run for his team. Also brings up the fifty for the captain Root. His 42nd fifty. England wants him to bat for a longer period of time. |
| 39.6 : M Pushpakumara to Jos Buttler, Malinda tosses it up on middle, Buttler drives it through wide mid off for a single. |
| 40.1 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, Flatter ball down leg, turned away with the spin. Dot ball. |
| 40.2 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, Down leg, helped on its way. One run taken. |
| 40.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up around off, Root stays back and blocks it out. |
| 40.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, On leg, Flicked towards square leg. A quick single taken. |
| 40.5 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, Full and on middle, Buttler brings out the reverse sweep through point. Enough to come back for the second. |
| 40.6 : A Dananjaya to Buttler, OUT! Bowled 'em! Once again the reverse sweep brings about his downfall. This one was dragged a bit shorter from the previous ball. Buttler gets in position early to reverse sweep it. Cannot get to the pitch of the ball. Gets a bottom edge to this and the ball goes on to hit the off pole. A much-needed wicket for Sri Lanka as this partnership was really starting to look dangerous. England lead by 137 runs, they though have half the side back in the hut. |
| Moeen Ali is the new man in. |
| 41.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Not afraid to reverse sweeps. Picks up the length early and reverse sweeps it through point for a brace. |
| 41.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Loopy ball on off, bunted down. |
| 41.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Around off, kept out. |
| 41.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Down leg, Root reverse sweeps it through backward point. No protection there and another boundary results. |
| 41.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 41.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Reverse sweep again, to deep backward point. This time gets a single. |
| 42.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, Root dances down the track and plays it towards mid on. They take a single. |
| 42.2 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Drifts away from the batsman, Moeen lets it go. |
| 42.3 : A Dananjaya to Ali, SIX! Beautiful shot. Flighted delivery on middle stump, Moeen lofts it over mid-wicket for a huge hit. |
| 42.4 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Tossed up on off stump, the batsman plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 42.5 : A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted delivery on middle stump, the skipper sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 42.6 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Bowls full on leg stump, Moeen pushes it towards short leg. |
| Dilruwan Perera is back on. |
| 43.1 : D Perera to Root, Little bit fuller on middle, Root defends it off the front foot. |
| 43.2 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery around off, the batsman comes down the track and flicks it towards deep square leg for a single. Brings up the 200 for England. The lead goes to 154. |
| 43.3 : D Perera to Ali, On middle, Ali tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 43.4 : D Perera to Root, Tossed up delivery on middle, the batsman sweeps it through fine leg for a single. |
| 43.5 : D Perera to Ali, A tad fuller on off, Ali keeps it out. |
| 43.6 : D Perera to Ali, Quicker and fuller on leg, Ali rocks back and tries to flick it but was hit low on the pads. The bowler appeals but the ball was going down leg. The umpire shakes his head. |
| 44.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, Root defends off his pads. |
| 44.2 : A Dananjaya to Root, FOUR! Good shot. Tossed up again on off stump, Root comes forward and hits it straight towards mid off for a boundary. |
| 44.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, HUGE APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Flighted delivery on middle stump, Root gets an inside edge onto the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 44.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up again on off stump, Root plays a reverse sweep towards point. They take a single. |
| 44.5 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Moeen defends off the back foot. |
| 44.6 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Leg spinner, the batsman comes forward and plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single. |
| 45.1 : D Perera to Ali, Tossed up delivery on middle, the ball spins away as the batsman was still on the crease. Good take by the keeper. |
| 45.2 : D Perera to Ali, Little bit quicker and flatter around off, Ali tries to cut it but hits the bottom edge of the bat and the ball goes towards point. |
| 45.3 : D Perera to Ali, Fuller delivery on middle, Ali drives it through covers for a run. |
| 45.4 : D Perera to Root, SIX! WHACKED! A loopy delivery around off, Root comes down the track and whacks it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Root looks in cruise control at the moment. |
| 45.5 : D Perera to Root, Full on middle, Root pushes it to the cover region for a couple of runs. |
| 45.6 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery around off, the batsman leans forward and pushes it towards covers. The batsman rotate strike. |
| Drinks! |
| 46.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Root comes forward and plays it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen get a run. |
| 46.2 : A Dananjaya to Ali, Tossed up on off stump, Moeen cuts it towards point. |
| 46.3 : A Dananjaya to Ali, OUT! Another sweep and another wicket. How many already in this game? Flighted ball around off, Moeen gets on one knee to sip but misses the ball to get hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire obliges. Sri Lanka celebrate. However, replay shows us that the impact there was outside off. So, the hosts get away with one while Ali will surely not be happy with this. Remember, no reviews left for either side. |
| Ben Foakes is the new man in. |
| 46.4 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Tossed up on leg stump, Ben Foakes pushes it towards the leg side. |
| 46.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes defends off the back foot. |
| 46.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Bowls way down the leg side, Foakes looks to go after that but decides against it. |
| Malinda Pushpakumara is back on. |
| 47.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full delivery on middle, Root sweeps it through fine leg for a run. |
| 47.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Tossed up delivery on middle, Foakes defends it off the front foot. |
| 47.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Similar delivery, Ben blocks it out. |
| 47.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, A tad full on middle, the batsman pushes it to mid off. |
| 47.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, Ben tucks it to the leg side. |
| 47.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy delivery around off, Foakes drives it straight to covers. |
| 48.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, Root sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen take a single. |
| 48.2 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Turns into the batsman, Foakes manages to defend off the back foot. |
| 48.3 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes defends off the back foot. |
| 48.4 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, FOUR! What a shot. Tossed up again on middle stump, Foakes sweeps it towards square leg for a beautiful boundary. |
| 48.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Loopy delivery on off stump, the batsman watchfully defends. |
| 48.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Loopy delivery on off stump, Foakes sweeps it towards fine leg. The batsmen take a run. |
| 49.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Quicker on middle, Ben defends it off the back foot. Nicely played though as the ball did not bounce much. |
| 49.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flatter on middle, Foakes punches it off the back foot through covers for a single. |
| 49.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root sweeps it through fine leg for a run. |
| 49.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Floats it up on middle, the batsman defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 49.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy delivery on middle, Foakes blocks it out. |
| 49.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Quicker around off, the batsman pushes it straight to point. |
| 50.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Bowls full on the pads, Root tucks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run. |
| 50.2 : A Dananjaya to Ben Foakes, Tossed up on middle stump, Foakes plays it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 50.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Root flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 50.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, Leg spinner, the skipper drives it towards mid off. |
| 50.5 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up on leg stump, the skipper flicks it towards mid-wicket. They take a single. |
| 50.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes sweeps it towards square leg. The fielder makes a good stop. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 51.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full on middle, Root sweeps it through fine leg for a run. |
| 51.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy delivery around off, hits one of the crack and spins it away. The batsman was still on the crease as does not need to play those. |
| 51.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, Foakes flicks it of his pads through fine leg. One run added to the total. |
| 51.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root defends it from within the crease. |
| 51.5 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A tad full on middle, Root pushes it through the point for a single. |
| 51.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Drags his length short, Foakes punches it off the back foot straight to the fielder. |
| 52.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, SIX! What a shot. Tossed up on middle stump, Root dances down the track and lofts it straight down the ground for a biggie. |
| 52.2 : A Dananjaya to Root, Flighted delivery on leg stump, the skipper tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 52.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up again on middle stump, Root flicks it towards mid-wicket. They take a single. |
| 52.4 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Loopy delivery on leg stump, Foakes flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 52.5 : A Dananjaya to Ben Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, the batsman plays it towards mid on. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 52.6 : A Dananjaya to Root, Loopy delivery again on middle stump, the skipper flicks it towards the leg side. |
| 53.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flatter on off, Foakes punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 53.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Full on middle, Root tries to sweep it but gets the toe end of the bat and the ball goes towards short fine leg. |
| 53.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Quicker and middle, Root pushes it off the back foot through point for a single. 20 runs lead comes up for England. Good batting so far from the visitors. |
| 53.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 53.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Fullish length on middle, Foakes nudges it to square leg for a run. |
| 53.6 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Similar delivery, Root works it to the leg side. |
| Dilruwan Perera is back on. |
| 54.1 : D Perera to Foakes, Tossed up on off stump, Foakes comes forward and defends off his pads. |
| 54.2 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on off stump, Foakes pads it away and it goes towards first slip. |
| 54.3 : D Perera to Foakes, Loopy delivery on middle stump, the batsman sweeps it towards fine leg. They take a single. |
| 54.4 : D Perera to Root, Tossed up again on off stump, Root gets it off the thigh pad. |
| 54.5 : D Perera to Joe Root, Loopy delivery on middle stump, the skipper plays it towards mid on. The batsmen take a single. |
| 54.6 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes flicks it towards fine leg. The batsmen take a run. 250 up for England. The visitors have a lead of 204 runs. |
| Finally a seamer to bowl. Suranga Lakmal comes to the attack. |
| 55.1 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Foakes defends it from within the crease. |
| 55.2 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Full on middle, Ben pushes it towards point for a single. |
| 55.3 : S Lakmal to Root, Length delivery on middle, Root tucks it to the leg side. |
| 55.4 : S Lakmal to Root, Good length delivery angling it in on middle, Root defends it off the front foot and on to the ground. |
| 55.5 : S Lakmal to Root, Length delivery on middle, the batsman defends it off the back foot by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 55.6 : S Lakmal to Root, A tad fuller on this occasion, Root leans forward and drives it straight to point. |
| 56.1 : D Perera to Foakes, Quicker delivery on off stump, Foakes defends off the back foot. |
| 56.2 : D Perera to Foakes, Tossed up again on off stump, Foakes comes on the front foot and tries to defend but gets it off his pads. The ball turned a little. |
| 56.3 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes plays it towards mid-wicket. |
| 56.4 : D Perera to Foakes, Loopy delivery on off stump, the batsman blocks it well. |
| 56.5 : Perera to Ben Foakes, TOP EDGE BUT SAFE! Tossed up on off stump, Foakes tries to go for the sweep but gets a top edge towards fine leg but the ball does not carry to the fielder positioned there. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 56.6 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on off stump, Foakes defends off the back foot. |
| 57.1 : S Lakmal to Root, Length delivery angling it on middle, Root defends it off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 57.2 : S Lakmal to Root, A tad short, Root taps it to point. |
| 57.3 : S Lakmal to Root, Drifts on to his pads, the batsman nudges it to square leg for a single. |
| 57.4 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Length delivery on middle, Foakes tries to cut it but gets the bottom edge of the bat and the ball goes towards the keeper. |
| 57.5 : S Lakmal to Foakes, In the channel outside off, Ben drives it to point. |
| 57.6 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Length delivery on middle, Foakes nudges it to mid-wicket. |
| 58.1 : D Perera to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, the skipper defends it off the front foot. |
| 58.2 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Root plays the reverse sweep towards point. They take a single. |
| 58.3 : D Perera to Ben Foakes, Tossed up on middle stump, Foakes plays it towards mid on. The batsmen get a single. |
| 58.4 : D Perera to Root, Bowls down the leg side, Root lets it go. |
| 58.5 : D Perera to Root, Flighted delivery again on middle stump, the skipper dances down the track and hits it towards mid-wicket. The fielder does a great job in the deep and saves two runs for his team. The batsmen pick up a couple. Root moves to 98. |
| 58.6 : D Perera to Root, Tossed up on off stump, the skipper plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single. Root moves to 99. THAT IS TEA ON DAY 3. England lead by 213 runs. |
| Dominating session for England, courtesy Root who is two short of his hundred. Post Lunch Root and Buttler counter-attacked from the start. They added a stand of 74 and were taking the game away from the Lankans. However, the hosts did take a couple of wickets quickly but Root and Foakes are amidst another handy stand. |
| England will probably hope to take the lead to above 300. Sri Lanka on the other hand, would like to bundle them up soon as possible. Do join us in a short while for the post Tea session. |
| ... Day 3, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the final session! Around 32 overs to go. Joe Root and Ben Foakes will resume their innings. Suranga Lakmal to start the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 59.1 : S Lakmal to Root, Bowls on a length delivery on off stump, Root plays it towards point. |
| 59.2 : S Lakmal to Root, 100 for Joe Root, it his 15th Test ton. What a knock by the skipper. He has single-handedly taken England into a very good position. And how much does this mean to him? His celebration says it all. Pumps his first not once but twice, takes his helmet off and soaks in the applause by the crowd. Gets there by guiding it down to the third man fence. He needs to continue though. Holds they key for England, if they are to take their lead above 300. |
| 59.3 : S Lakmal to Root, Back of a length on off, Root punches it through covers for a run. |
| 59.4 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Good length on off, defended. |
| 59.5 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Slightly fuller and outside off, Foakes strokes it to covers. |
| 59.6 : S Lakmal to Foakes, On a length and around off, it is kept out. |
| Malinda Pushpakumara to bowl from the other end. |
| 60.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, the captain sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen take a single. |
| 60.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery on off stump, Foakes comes on the front foot and plays it towards covers. The batsmen take a run. |
| 60.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, LEG BYE! Tossed up on leg stump, the captain tries to sweep but gets hit on the pads and it goes towards fine leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 60.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes tucks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. This also brings up the 50-run stand between the two. Another vital stand this is. |
| 60.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Drifting away from the batsman, Foakes lets it go. |
| 60.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Tossed up again on off stump, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 61.1 : S Lakmal to Root, Length ball in line of the stumps, Root taps it in front of him. |
| 61.2 : S Lakmal to Root, On a good length around off, Root plays it with soft hands to the off side and gets to the other end. |
| 61.3 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Fuller this one outside off, Foakes is not enticed to fiddle with it. |
| 61.4 : S Lakmal to Foakes, Length again around off, cut towards point. Another quick single. |
| 61.5 : S Lakmal to Root, Overthrow! Back of a length ball around off, Root cuts it towards point and wants the run. Is sent back by his partner. The fielder at point misses the stumps at the striker's end. No backing up and they take an overthrow. |
| 61.6 : S Lakmal to Foakes, FOUR! Easy pickings. Errs down leg, All Foakes has to do is get bat on it and he does that. Just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. |
| 62.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Tossed up outside middle stump, Root goes for the slog sweep towards mid-wicket but does not get the distance. It falls short of the fielder. The batsmen pick up a single. |
| 62.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery on off stump, Foakes defends off the front foot. |
| 62.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy delivery on off stump, the batsman plays it towards point. The batsmen take a run. |
| 62.4 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Tossed up again on middle stump, the skipper flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 62.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Foakes defends off the back foot. |
| 62.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy delivery on off stump, Foakes cuts it towards point. |
| Akila Dananjaya to roll his arm over. |
| 63.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Starts off with a leg spinner on middle, Root pushes it to the point fielder. |
| 63.2 : A Dananjaya to Joe Root, FOUR! Half tracker from Akila and Root punishes it. It was short on middle, Root hangs back and pulls it through deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Poor bowling from the offie. |
| 63.3 : A Dananjaya to Root, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 63.4 : A Dananjaya to Joe Root, A tad fuller on middle, Root drives it through mid on. |
| 63.5 : A Dananjaya to Joe Root, Fuller delivery on middle, Root tucks it through mid off for a single. |
| 63.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, A tad quicker on leg, Foakes tries to sweep it but was hit on the pads. The bowler appeals. But the umpire shakes his head. |
| 64.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Floats it up on middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 64.2 : M Pushpakumara to Root, tosses it up again around middle, Root lunges and blocks it out. |
| 64.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, This is on the pads, Root works it around the corner and takes a single. |
| 64.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On the stumps, blocked. |
| 64.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Unplayable! This is floated up on off, the ball pitches and then turns away sharply. Foakes tries to defend but is beaten by the away turn. |
| 64.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 65.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, Tossed up delivery on middle, Root drives it to mid on for a single. |
| 65.2 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flighted delivery around off, Foakes cuts it through point. |
| 65.3 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, A tad fuller on middle, Foakes whips it through mid-wicket. The fielder from the square leg stops it from going to the boundary. Good running from both the batsmen as they take three runs. |
| 65.4 : A Dananjaya to Root, On middle, Root flicks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 65.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Tossed up delivery on middle, Foakes defends it from within the crease. |
| 65.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Drags his length short, the batsman punches it off the back foot to point. |
| 66.1 : M Pushpakumara to Root, Tossed up on middle stump, Root defends off the front foot. |
| 66.2 : M Pushpakumara to Joe Root, Flighted delivery on off stump, the skipper drives it towards mid off. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 66.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Loopy delivery on middle stump, Foakes defends off the front foot. |
| 66.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Tossed up on off stump, Foakes gets an outside edge towards slip. It was wide and low for him to catch. |
| 66.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery again on off stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 66.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Tossed up again on off stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 67.1 : A Dananjaya to Joe Root, Drags it short on middle, Root pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 67.2 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, On middle, Foakes works it to on side for a run. |
| 67.3 : A Dananjaya to Joe Root, A tad short around off, Roots cuts it through point. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 67.4 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Fuller on middle, Ben works it to leg side. |
| 67.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Floats it up on middle, Foakes defends it off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 67.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, On middle, the batsman strokes it to wide mid on for a single. |
| 68.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Drags it short on off, Foakes pushes it through point for a single. Brings up the 250 lead for England. They would like to score around 300. |
| 68.2 : M Pushpakumara to Joe Root, Flighted delivery on middle, Root leans forward and tries to defend it but it gets the outside edge of the bat and the ball goes towards first slip. |
| 68.3 : M Pushpakumara to Root, A tad short, the batsman punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 68.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, the batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 68.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Slower delivery on off, Foakes taps it to the off side. |
| 69.1 : A Dananjaya to Root, FOUR! Excellent use of the feet! He steps down the track and also makes room. Whacks it over the mid-wicket fielder and a boundary results. |
| 69.2 : Dananjaya to Root, OUT! LBW! End of Root's magnificent innings. Akila gets the opposition skipper. He bowls it full around off, it turns back in. Joe Root goes for the reverse but misses to get hit on the pads. Akila starts appealing, Dickwella joins him after catching the ball which lobs up towards him. The keeper is appealing for both. The umpire raises his finger for LBW I think. Root starts walking back and he does so to a standing ovation. He deserves every bit of it. England lead by |
| Sam Curran walks in place of his skipper. |
| Now then! Now then! Sri Lanka are celebrating. Looks like they have Sam Curran back in the hut. The umpires are having a look if the bails have come out when the ball has passed the stumps. |
| 69.3 : Dananjaya to Curran, OUT! That has clipped the stumps and Akila gets a fifer. The is bowled flatter on middle, Curran plays for the original trajectory but the ball turns past his outside edge and just about clips the off stump. The Lankan players start celebrating. The umpire though goes upstairs to check if it is not the keeper's gloves which has dislodged the bails. Replays show that the keeper was nowhere near the stumps. Curran has been given his marching orders and he is probably the |
| Hat-trick ball! Adil Rashid has the honors to face it. |
| 69.4 : A Dananjaya to A Rashid, NO hat-trick. Not the best of balls though when you are on a hat-trick. Full and outside off, Rashid strokes it to mid off. |
| 69.5 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Works it with the turn towards mid-wicket. |
| 69.6 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 70.1 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Full delivery on middle, Rashid block it out. |
| 70.2 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, Flighted delivery around off, Rashid lets it be. |
| 70.3 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, A tad fuller on middle, the batsman drives it straight to the bowler. |
| 70.4 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, On middle, Adil pushes it to the cover region. |
| 70.5 : M Pushpakumara to Rashid, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 70.6 : M Pushpakumara to A Rashid, Floats it up on middle, Rashid leans forward and tries to defend it but gets the thick outside edge of the bat and the ball falls just short of the first slip fielder. |
| 71.1 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Very full on middle, it is eased down to long on for a run. |
| 71.2 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Gives it a nice loop on middle, the batsman defends it out. |
| 71.3 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, Very full outside off, it is driven to the man at covers. |
| 71.4 : A Dananjaya to Rashid, uses his wrists and works it around the corner for a run. |
| 71.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, The batsman has driven it through mid-on. One run added to the total. |
| 71.6 : Dananjaya to Rashid, OUT! Rashid has been given but he stands there in disbelief. He though has to take the long walk back as there are no reviews left. 6-fer for Akila, it is his best figures in Tests. It is once again the flatter delivery which does the trick. It pitches outside off, jags back in sharply. Rashid goes back and tries to keep it out but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger. Now then, replays show there was a big inside edge there |
| James Anderson is the last batsman to come in. |
| 72.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Drifts on to his pads, Foakes works it around the corner but does not take a run. |
| 72.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Quicker on middle, the batsman drives it to point. |
| 72.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Sharp turn there. Slower through the air on middle, Ben tries tries defend it off the front foot, but the ball spins away and misses the outside edge of the bat. |
| 72.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, Ben drives it to mid on. |
| A direct hit at the striker's end and the umpire has referred it upstairs. Anderson is the man in question but he seems relaxed. |
| 72.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Drags it short on middle, Foakes cuts it off the back foot through point. The batsmen run hard as the fielder throws it to the keeper but Anderson is safely home. Umpire goes upstairs to see whether he has grounded his bat or not. Replay shows he is safely in. |
| 72.6 : M Pushpakumara to Anderson, FOUR! Anderson does not hang back and gets a four for his side. Important runs here. A tad full from the bowler, Jimmy reverse sweeps it through third man for a boundary. |
| Drinks! |
| 73.1 : A Dananjaya to Ben Foakes, Drags it short on middle, Ben pulls it through mid-wicket for couple of runs. |
| 73.2 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 73.3 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Slower through the air on middle, Foakes blocks it out. |
| 73.4 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, FOUR! That ball deserved a boundary. Drags it way short on middle, Foakes pulls it through deep square leg and the ball races away to the boundary. Precious runs this for England. |
| 73.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flatter trajectory on middle, Foakes punches it off the back foot through point. |
| 73.6 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Full toss on middle, Foakes works it behind square for a single. |
| 74.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Tossed up delivery on middle, Foakes tries to flicks it but gets the leading edge towards on side. |
| 74.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flatter on middle, Ben punches it off the back foot through point. |
| 74.3 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, the batsman has played that off the front foot and onto the ground. |
| 74.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Quicker on middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 74.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle Foakes has driven it towards the point region. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 74.6 : Pushpakumara to Anderson, Fires it quicker on off and goes on with the angle, Anderson tries to defend it off the front foot. The ball held its line and hits him on the back pad. The bowler appeals but umpire shakes his head. Looking at the replay it looked like it was pitched outside leg. Jimmy survives. |
| Dilruwan Perera is back on. |
| 75.1 : D Perera to Foakes, Bowls quicker on middle stump, Foakes defends off the back foot. |
| 75.2 : D Perera to Foakes, APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Tossed up on leg stump, Foakes tries to defend but gets hit low on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. The impact was outside leg. |
| 75.3 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle stump, the batsman dances down the track and defends. |
| It has gotten really dark out there. Not to forget, the floodlights are not going to be used in this series so Bad Light can come into play here. |
| 75.4 : D Perera to Foakes, Loopy delivery on middle stump, Foakes plays it towards mid on. |
| 75.5 : D Perera to Foakes, Tossed up again on middle stump, Foakes defends off the front foot. |
| 75.6 : D Perera to Foakes, SIX! Great shot. What a way to get to his fifty. Perera bowls it short, Foakes comes forward and lofts it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Great innings by Ben Foakes. First fifty for him. What a great debut series he is having. The keeper-batsman got a hundred in the first Test and follows it up with a fifty. He is not done yet and would want to take the lead over 300. |
| The light meter is out! Also Erasmus, the umpire says he just spots lightning and the players are walking off, rightly so as staying out there can be risky. Let us hope it clears out soon. Stay tuned. |
| More bad news folks! It has now started to rain and the whole ground is covered. Do not think anymore play is possible and just as I write that, the news coming in is that the umpires have called the day off. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| Another excellent session of cricket we got to witness and it is England who would be the happier of the two sides at the end of the day. They have stretched their lead to 2 short of 280 and they still have one wicket in hand. |
| The last session started with Foakes and Root milking the bowlers. The two added an 82-run stand with the English skipper getting to his ton. When the two were batting, England looked like they would take their lead past 300 with ease. That was not to be though. Akila then weaved his magic and got three wickets in no time. However, Foakes who is batting on a half ton and Anderson, are building another frustrating stand for the Lankans. |
| Earlier in the day, Burns gave England the perfect start. The opener scored a half ton but then England lost a few wickets quickly. Buttler and Root then steadied the ship with a handy stand and Foakes and Joe continued the good work. Akila's 6-fer however has kept Sri Lanka in the game but it is England who are in the driver's seat at the moment. |
| What will the two teams aim for on Day 4? The hosts, they would look to take the last wicket quickly and then they will have to bat really well as the lead England have right now is already a good one. The away team on the other hand, will try and stretch the lead above 300 and then bowl well. We can expect another exciting day of cricket on Saturday. Not to forget, we have a 15 minute early start on Day 4. So, do join us 900 seconds before the original time of play. Till then, take care and goo |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| After some entertaining Test cricket on Day 3, we move onto Day 4 where both the teams have a chance of winning the Test match. First things first, Sri Lanka will look to wrap up this one frustrating wicket and then would want their young players to play their natural game and go about the game accordingly. As far as the visitors are concerned, it's all thanks to captain Root for his outstanding hundred which has ensured England are in a commanding position and favorites the win the game. They t |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says the pitch it looks dusty and ugly. Adds saying the surface is crumbing and the spinners will have a huge part to play today. Reckons England when they come onto bowl should attack the stumps and pitch will play its part. Ends saying Sri Lanka should not give up and fight hard. |
| We are all set for the action to begin! Out come the players. Ben Foakes and James Anderson will resume their innings. For Sri Lanka, it will be Akila Dananjaya to start the proceedings. |
| 76.1 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Anderson reverse sweeps it through short third man. |
| 76.2 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, Tossed up delivery on middle, Jimmy tries to sweep it but the ball spins away and goes past him. |
| 76.3 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, A tad fuller on leg, the batsman tries to flick it but gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 76.4 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, FOUR! First boundary of the day. Flighted delivery on middle, Anderson sweeps it towards deep square leg, Malinda at the boundary tries to mop it but the ball spins away from him and goes to the boundary. School boy error from Pushpakumara. |
| 76.5 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, Floats it up on middle, Jimmy defends it with a straight bat. |
| 76.6 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, Identical delivery, Anderson defends it off the front foot. |
| Dilruwan Perera to bowl from the other end. |
| 77.1 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on leg, Foakes tries to flick it but was hit on the pads. |
| 77.2 : D Perera to Foakes, SIX! WHACKED! A tad quicker on middle, Foakes comes down the track and whacks it over mid-wicket for a huge six. Foakes will not try to hang it here. He will play some shots. |
| 77.3 : D Perera to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle, Ben sweeps it to the leg side. |
| 77.4 : D Perera to Foakes, Tossed up delivery on middle, Foakes defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 77.5 : D Perera to Foakes, A tad full on middle, Foakes drives it straight through mid off for a couple of runs. |
| 77.6 : D Perera to Ben Foakes, On middle, the batsman tucks it to mid on for a single. |
| 78.1 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Tossed up delivery on middle, Foakes works it to mid-wicket. |
| 78.2 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, A tad full on middle,the batsman tucks it to the leg side. |
| 78.3 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Quicker on middle, Ben flicks it to the on side. |
| 78.4 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Identical delivery, the batsman tucks it to leg side. |
| 78.5 : A Dananjaya to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle, Foakes works it through mid on for a run. |
| 78.6 : A Dananjaya to Anderson, FOUR! SHOT! A tossed up delivery on middle, Jimmy sweeps it through deep square leg for a boundary. Easy runs for England here. |
| 79.1 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Flighted delivery on middle, Foakes defends it with a straight bat. |
| 79.2 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, On middle, Ben tucks it to the on side. |
| 79.3 : M Pushpakumara to Ben Foakes, Quicker on middle, the batsman drives it straight to the covers. |
| 79.4 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, Similar delivery, Foakes leans forward and drives it to covers. |
| 79.5 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, A tad fuller on middle, Foakes has pushed it to covers. |
| 79.6 : M Pushpakumara to Foakes, FOUR! Tossed up delivery on middle, Foakes gets to the pitch of the ball and lobs it uppishly over covers for a boundary. Brings up the 300 lead for England. |
| The second new ball is now available. It will be interesting to see when Sri Lanka opt for it. Meanwhile, Dilruwan Perera will bowl. |
| 80.1 : D Perera to Anderson, Perera starts off with a wayward length on leg, Anderson still tries to flick but fails to connect it. |
| 80.2 : D Perera to Anderson, Drags his length short on middle, Anderson hangs back and punches it off the back foot to the point. |
| 80.3 : D Perera to Anderson, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman goes for the sweep. The ball spins away a bit and keeper takes it brilliantly behind the stumps. The bowler and the keeper appeals but the umpire shakes his head. |
| So then, the second new ball has been taken. |
| 80.4 : D Perera to Anderson, OUT! Wicket from the new ball. Dilruwan strikes. A frustrating last 20 minutes for the Lankans bu it finally comes to an end. the bowl was a bit quicker on off, Jimmy tries to cut it but he gets the inside edge and it crashes into the off pole. Sri Lanka need a target of 301 to win it. |
| Around 5 overs is what it has taken Sri Lanka to take the last wicket but England have added a handy 22 runs. They have managed to take the lead to 300 and are in a very good position at the moment. They entered their second innings trailing by 46 and were in a spot of bother at 109 for 4. However, Root, the skipper lead from the front and took England to safer shores. The English skipper scored his 15th Test ton and was part of crucial partnerships with Buttler and Foakes. |
| Ben Foakes then continued the good work and remained unbeaten. He added crucial stands with the 'tail' and ensured England's lead touches the 300-run mark. |
| The Sri Lanka spinners were just not at their best in this innings. Only Akila was impressive as he finished with a 6-fer. However, he lacked support from the rest. They now have to put all that behind and concentrate on the task ahead. It is a daunting target and they will have to bat out of their skins if they are to level the series. The visitors on the flip side, will expect their spinners to do most of the damage. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Karunaratne defends it with a straight bat. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery outside off. The batsman lets it go |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Big booming inswinger from Jimmy which swings back sharply on middle, Karunaratne nicely digs it out in the end. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, FOUR! Drfits on his pads, the batsman tickles it behind fine leg for a boundary. First runs for Karunaratne. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Full length on middle, the batsman defends it off the back foot. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Karunaratne. Errs in line and length, the batsman clips it off his pads and the ball races away to the fine leg boundary. Solid start from Karunaratne. |
| Jack Leach to share the new ball. |
| 1.1 : J Leach to Silva, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Silva drives it through covers for a single. |
| 1.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Tossed up delivery on middle, the batsman tries to defend it off the front foot. The ball spins away and a good take by the keeper behind the stumps. |
| 1.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, Karunaratne guides it to third man for a single. |
| 1.4 : J Leach to Silva, Drags his length short, Silva punches it towards point for a run. |
| 1.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, the batsman tucks it to the leg side for a single. |
| 1.6 : J Leach to Silva, Floats it up on middle, Silva has driven it straight to the bowler. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Full and around off, Karunaratne digs it out well. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, On a fuller length on that fourth stump channel, Dimuth on-drives it to the on side. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Good length ball outside off, not much swing. DK shoulders his arms to it. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, JAFFA! What a peach from Anderson. After a couple going away from Karunaratne he gets this one to come back in. On a good length, Dimuth plays for the swing. Leaves a gap between his bat and pad. The ball goes off something and into the mitts of Foakes. They appeal but the umpires stays put. After a long chat, Root decides against the review. Good call, as replays showed us that went of the thigh pad. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Fuller on middle and off, hit towards mid-wicket. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Full again, comes back in. Karunaratne drives it back to the bowler. |
| 3.1 : J Leach to Silva, A tad fuller on middle, Silva tucks it to mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 3.2 : J Leach to Silva, Tossed up delivery on middle, the batsman, taps it to point. |
| 3.3 : J Leach to Silva, OUT! What a peach of a delivery from Leach. A dream delivery from the off spinner. It was nicely tossed up delivery on middle, Silva comes down the track and tries to drive it towards point, but he misses it completely. Silva tries to get back but Foakes takes it brilliantly behind the stumps and who dislodged it immediately. Leach has made him his bunny for the second time in this test match.. Early blow for Lankans. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is in at no. 3. |
| 3.4 : J Leach to Silva, No run. |
| 3.5 : J Leach to de Silva, 1 run. |
| 3.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, No run. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Silva, Good length on off, Dhananjaya blocks it out. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Silva, A little too wide outside off, the batsman need not play at those. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Silva, On a length again and around off, Dhananjaya gets behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Silva, On a length again and around off, Dhananjaya gets behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Silva, Another back of a length ball on off, de Silva stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Silva, A maiden as Dhananjaya pushes it to the cover fielder. So two maidens in a row for Anderson after going for 8 in his first over. |
| 5.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full and around off, Karunaratne drives it to long on for one. |
| 5.2 : J Leach to Silva, Loopy ball on middle and leg, hit back to the bowler. |
| 5.3 : J Leach to de Silva, OUT! What a catch! Keaton Jennings take a bow! Tossed up ball on middle and off, Dhananjaya looks to work it to the on side but the ball takes the edge and goes flat towards Jennings at short leg. Now, Keaton is wrong footed as he anticipates it going the other way. He then sticks his left arm out and the ball sticks in. The key to the catch was that he was low. Brilliant catch. Remember, Rory was at this position in the first innings. All-in-all, not the best of shots |
| Kusal Mendis is the new man in. |
| 5.4 : J Leach to Mendis, Around off, Mendis blocks it out with a straight bat. |
| 5.5 : J Leach to Mendis, FOUR Byes! That's gone through everyone. Flighted ball around off, it spins away from Mendis who gets low to swipe it. Gets beaten by the turn, Foakes too misses the ball and the ball goes to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 5.6 : J Leach to Mendis, The batsman drives this through the covers. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Back of a length delivery around off. The batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery around off, Karunaratne punches it off the back foot through point. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, Karunaratne drives it through covers for a single. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Mendis, Fuller delivery on middle, Mendis drives it through mid on. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to K Mendis, Length delivery around off, Mendis taps it to point. The batsman wanted a single. He takes a stride forward, Ben Stokes goes to his left and has a shy at the stumps. But Mendis was safely back home and the ball goes towards square leg. Batsmen take a single. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Fuller delivery on middle, the batsman tucks it to the side for a single. |
| 7.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, the batsman works it to the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 7.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 7.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Floats it up on off, it is eased through mid on for a run. |
| 7.4 : J Leach to K Mendis, Flighted ball on off, Mendis strokes it to mid off. |
| Review time! England feel they have got another. The umpire though has not given it not out. Mendis is the man in question. Has it straightened enough? |
| 7.5 : Leach to Mendis, OUT! Yes, it has! England get another one and Sri Lanka are in big, big trouble here. Leach is on fire as he gets his third. This is tossed up around middle, the ball straightens a touch. Mendis goes for a sweep shot but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. Root reviews. Replays roll in and it shows three reds. England are ecstatic. |
| Angelo Mathews walks in next. |
| 7.6 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted ball on off, Mathews strokes it to covers. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery around off. Karunaratne lets it go. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, Length delivery on middle, the batsman tucks it to the leg side for a run. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Mathews, In the channel outside off, Mathews taps it to off side. |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to Mathews, Fuller delivery on middle, Angelo drives it straight to mid on. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Mathews, Good length delivery around off, Mathew opens the face of the bat and taps it to third man for a single. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Karunaratne, On middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot. |
| 9.1 : J Leach to Mathews, A tad short on off, Mathew rocks back and cuts it through point for a run. |
| 9.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Tossed up delivery on middle, Karunaratne defends it off the front foot and on to the ground. |
| 9.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted on middle, the batsman works it to the leg side. |
| 9.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flots it up on middle, Karunaratne defends it with a straight bat. |
| 9.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman has driven it to mid off. |
| 9.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne reverse sweeps it through third man for a run. |
| Moeen Ali to roll his arm over. |
| 10.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Starts off with a tossed delivery on middle, the batsman pushes it to the cover region. |
| 10.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted dleivery on middle, Karunaratne opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man for a couple of runs. |
| 10.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Full on middle, Karunaratne leans forward and drives it to mid off. |
| 10.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, A tad full on middle, the batsman sweeps it through fine leg for a brace. |
| 10.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Gives it a bit of air on middle, Karunaratne defends it off the front foot by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 10.6 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, CHANCE! If someone would have caught it would have been Ben Stokes. A nicely tossed up delivery on middle, Karunaratne leans forward and tries to drive it, the ball spins away and gets a outside edge of the bat and the ball flies over the first slip region. Boundary signalled by the umpire. |
| Drinks! |
| 11.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Tossed up delivery on middle, Mathews taps it through point for a single. |
| 11.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, Karunaratne works it to the leg side. |
| 11.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Nicely flighted delivery on middle, Karunaratne flicks it to the mid-wicket. |
| 11.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Tossed up delivery on leg, Karunaratne tries to flick it but misses it completely. |
| 11.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 11.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Fuller delivery on leg, Karunarante pads it out. |
| 12.1 : M Ali to Mathews, Full and outside off, Angelo reaches out for it and sweeps it through square leg for one. |
| 12.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flatter one outside off, Dimuth cuts it late towards backward point and hares to the other end. Good running. |
| 12.3 : M Ali to Mathews, Arm ball on off, it spins sharply in. Angelo pads it out with his thigh pad. |
| 12.4 : M Ali to Mathews, Brings out the broom again. Once again towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 12.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, On off, reverse swept it towards short third man. |
| 12.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Floated ball around off, Dimuth leans ahead and bunts it down. |
| 13.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter delivery on middle, Mathews tucks it to the leg side. |
| 13.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Full toss on middle, Mathews whips it through mid-wicket. |
| 13.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Fuller on middle, Mathew drives it to mid off. |
| 13.4 : J Leach to A Mathews, Quicker and flatter on middle, Angelo cuts it through point. |
| 13.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Fires it on middle, Angelo pushes it to covers. |
| 13.6 : J Leach to Mathews, Fuller delivery on middle, Mathews drives it firmly through covers for a single. |
| 14.1 : M Ali to Mathews, A tad full on middle, Mathews flicks it off his through square leg for a single. |
| 14.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, Karunaratne tries to flick it but gets a thick leading edge which goes to off side. |
| 14.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Tossed up delivery on middle, the batsman taps it to the point region. |
| 14.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, FOUR! Easy pickings there for the batsman. Tossed up delivery on middle, Karunaratne flicks it off his pads through deep sqaure for a boundary. |
| 14.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Quicker and flatter on middle, the batsman rocks back and punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 14.6 : M Ali to A Mathews, No run. |
| 15.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Nicely reverse swept down to third man for a run. 50 up but they have lost three wickets. Another 251 needed. |
| 15.2 : J Leach to Mathews, FOUR! That was not right off the middle but Mathews gets the desired result. A full toss on middle, a rare bad ball from Leach today. Mathews swings but the ball goes off the lower part, it has enough though to clear mid on and a boundary results. |
| 15.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter and around off, Mathews guides it through point for a run. |
| 15.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flatter outside off, it is pushed through covers for a run. |
| 15.5 : J Leach to Mathews, The arm ball on middle, Mathews lunges to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs away from the short leg fielder. |
| 15.6 : J Leach to Mathews, Very full on middle, the bowler jams it out to the bowler. |
| 16.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, On the stumps, it is kept out. |
| 16.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flatter and on middle, Karunaratne is solid in defense. |
| 16.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Shorter outside off, Karunaratne goes back and cuts it through point for a couple. |
| 16.4 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 16.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted ball on off, DK pushes it to covers. |
| 16.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Leading edge! This is bowled slower through the air on the pads, Karunaratne tries to flick but gets a soft leading edge to point. Not a clever thing to play against the turn on a turning wicket. |
| 17.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Drags it short on off, Mathew punches it off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 17.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, Karunaratne works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter on middle, Angelo punches it through point. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 17.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full on middle, the batsman works it to the leg side. |
| 17.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Flighted dleivery on off, Karunaratne pads it out. |
| 17.6 : J Leach to D Karunaratne, On middle, the batsman drives it through mid on. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 18.1 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, Flighted delivery around off, Karunaratne tries to defend it off the front foo but the ball spins away and gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes towards point |
| 18.2 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Tossed up delivery on middle, Karunarante gets an inside edge and the ball goes towards the leg side. They take a single. |
| 18.3 : M Ali to Mathews, Floats it up on middle, Mathews play a sweep shot towards the square leg fielder. |
| 18.4 : M Ali to Mathews, On middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 18.5 : M Ali to Mathews, TAossedd it up on middle, Mathew sweeps it through leg side for a single. |
| 18.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 19.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Flat and over the stumps, Mathews punches i through covers for one. |
| 19.2 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Cries for catch it but no leg slip. Dimuth tucks it around the corner for one more. |
| 19.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Loopy ball down leg, Mathews helps it on its way down to fine leg. Easy couple taken. |
| 19.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Full on middle, driven to long off. They walk and complete the run. |
| 19.5 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Darts this in line, Karunaratne plays it with a straight bat. |
| 19.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Fuller again down leg, flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 20.1 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, Karunaratne drives it to covers. |
| 20.2 : M Ali to D Karunaratne, A tad full around off, the batsman pushes it to the mid off region. |
| 20.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Tossed up delivery on middle, Karunarante leans forward and drives it through for a single. |
| 20.4 : M Ali to Mathews, A tad full on middle, Angelo tries to reverse sweep it but gets the bottom edge of the bat and the ball goes to the on side. |
| 20.5 : M Ali to Mathews, On middle, Mathews defends it with a straight bat. |
| 20.6 : M Ali to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman watchfully defends it. |
| 21.1 : J Leach to Karunaratne, 1 run. |
| 21.2 : J Leach to Mathews, A bit short on off, punched towards sweeper cover for another run. |
| 21.3 : J Leach to Karunaratne, Full ball on leg, Karunaratne works it towards deep square leg and manages to come back for the second. |
| 21.4 : J Leach to Karunaratne, 1 run. |
| 21.5 : J Leach to A Mathews, 1 run. |
| 21.6 : J Leach to Karunaratne, 2 runs. |
| 22.1 : M Ali to Mathews, Flatter on off, Mathews defends it onto the ground. |
| 22.2 : M Ali to Mathews, Sweeps it through square leg for a run. |
| 22.3 : M Ali to Karunaratne, This is floated on off, Karunaratne keeps it out. |
| 22.4 : M Ali to Mathews, This is on middle, it is tucked around the corner for a run. |
| 22.5 : M Ali to Karunaratne, On the stumps, it is defended. |
| 22.6 : M Ali to Karunaratne, Outside off, the batsman guides it to point. |
| Adil Rashid comes to the attack. |
| 23.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Starts off with a fuller delivery on middle, Mathews tucks it to the mid-wicket for a single. |
| 23.2 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Tosssed up delivery on middle, Karunaratne works it to the leg side. |
| 23.3 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, Karunaratne drives it through mid on for a single. |
| 23.4 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flatter on middle, Mathew punches it off the back foot through point for a single. |
| 23.5 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, Full on middle, the batman paddles it down leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 23.6 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, On middle, Karunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| Joe Root comes onto bowl. |
| 24.1 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, No run. |
| 24.2 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, On middle, Karunaratne keeps it out. |
| 24.3 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Flighted delivery on middle, the batsman defends it off he front foot and onto the ground. |
| 24.4 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Full on middle, the batsman pushes it through the cover region for a single. |
| 24.5 : Joe Root to Mathews, Flatter and quicker on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot to the point. |
| 24.6 : Joe Root to Mathews, First it quicker on middle, Angelo flicks it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 25.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted ball on off, it is eased down to long off for a run. |
| 25.2 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, A loud shout but not given! This is floated outside off, it turns back in. Karnaratne pads it away. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. |
| Review! A strong appeal for LBW has been given out. Karunaratne takes it up. Looks to be going down leg. |
| 25.3 : Rashid to Karunaratne, NOT OUT! Yes, it is missing the leg pole. Excellent use of the review and Karunaratne survives to fight another day. The Lankan dressing room will breathe a sigh of relief as Karunaratne looks set and they would love him to bat long. The leg spinner around middle, Karunaratne tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A strong appeal follows but the umpire raises his finger. Dimuth reviews straightaway and replays show that the on-field call has to be overturn |
| 25.4 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, The slider on middle, DK works it to short leg. |
| 25.5 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, This is eased down to long on for a run. |
| 25.6 : A Rashid to Mathews, Plays it with the turn through covers and the batsmen end the session by taking a run! LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| A good session of Test cricket. It is England who have the upper hand so far. Day 4 began with Ben Foakes and James Anderson scoring some crucial runs and ensured England set a target of just above 300. |
| In reply, Sri Lanka did not start well as they lost three wickets in a quick time. But Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne steadied the ship and managed to score at a decent pace as well. The home team would like these two to carry on for a long period of time. As far as England are concerned, they would like someone to compliment Jack Leach and take wickets from the other end as well. |
| The second session could be a important one as Sri Lanka would like to keep wickets intact, while the visitors would like to strike early. Do join us in a bit for post Lunch session. |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| The players are back in the middle. Dimuth Karunaratne will be on strike. Joe Root to start the proceeding for Sri Lanka. |
| 26.1 : Joe Root to Mathews, Starts off with a quicketr delivery on middle, Mathews tucks it to leg side for a single. |
| 26.2 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Flatter on middle, the batsman punches it to point. |
| 26.3 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Fuller on middle, DK pushes ii to the point. |
| 26.4 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, On middle, Dinuth drives it through point for a run. |
| 26.5 : Joe Root to Mathews, A touch fuller on middle, Angelo works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.6 : Joe Root to Karunaratne, Similar delivery on middle, Karunaratne tucks it off his pads through on side for a run. |
| Adil Rashid comes to bowl from the other end. |
| 27.1 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, A tad fuller on middle, DK nudges it to leg side for a single. |
| 27.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Floats it up on off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 27.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, CLOSE! The slider just outside off, Mathews fails to pick the variation and he goes for the cut. That shot though is not on. AM misses and the ball goes agonizingly close past the off pole. |
| 27.4 : A Rashid to A Mathews, FOUR! Poor ball and it has been put away! Short and outside off, Mathews wait for it and then cuts it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 27.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 27.6 : A Rashid to Karunaratne, OUT! TOP DRAW! What a reaction catch by Foakes. DK would be a dissapointed man going into the dressing room. |
| Roshen Silva is the new man in. Also, Jack Leach is called into the attack. |
| 28.1 : J Leach to A Mathews, Tossed up on off, driven to mid off. |
| 28.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Floated ball on off, played with a straight bat. |
| 28.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Loopy ball on middle, Mathews is forward in defense. |
| 28.4 : J Leach to Mathews, A bit short outside off, Mathews cuts it to point. |
| 28.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Outside off again, can't get it past the point fielder. |
| 28.6 : J Leach to Mathews, Suddenly some turn and bounce. Almost squared him up. Pitched outside leg, Mathews looks to tuck it away but it spins in sharply. Hits his arm and dies onto the ground. Maiden for Leach. |
| 29.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Almost another one! This is given a lot of air around off, it dips on the batsman. Roshen looks to drive with his feet rooted to the crease but gets beaten by the away turn. He almost loses his balance but maintains it. |
| 29.2 : A Rashid to Silva, EDGED BUT SHORT! Rashid has really started off well after the break! This is floated up on off, it pitches and then turns away. Silva tries to defend but gets an outside edge just short of Stokes at first slip. Silva played that with soft hands and hence, it did not carry. |
| 29.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Another tossed up delivery on middle, Silva defends it out. |
| 29.4 : A Rashid to Silva, On the shorter side this time, the batsman cuts it to point. |
| 29.5 : A Rashid to Silva, The leg spinner on leg stump, Silva looks to play across the line but gets a leading edge towards covers. |
| 29.6 : A Rashid to Silva, On the stumps, kept out. A maiden. |
| 30.1 : J Leach to Mathews, A tad fuller on middle, Mathews drives it to covers. |
| 30.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Tossed up delivery on leg, Mathews was trying to flick it but was hit on the pads and the ball goes towards leg side for a run. |
| 30.3 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery on leg, Silva tries to flick it but was hit on the pads. |
| 30.4 : J Leach to Silva, Fuller delivery on middle, the batsman works it to the leg side. |
| 30.5 : J Leach to Silva, Flatter on leg, Silva tries to tuck it off his pads but was hit low on the pads. |
| 30.6 : J Leach to Silva, 3 runs. |
| 31.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Tossed up but down leg, Silva tucks it down to the leg side for one. |
| 31.2 : A Rashid to A Mathews, Angelo drives this through the covers. One run added to the total. |
| 31.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 31.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives this air on off, Mathews is solid in defense. |
| 31.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Lovely from Rashid. Getting it in the right areas. Pitches this one up. Mathews looks to bunt in down. The ball bounces and almost goes back onto the stumps. |
| 31.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Around off, kept out. |
| 32.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, Mathews was trying to drive it but the ball spins away and beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 32.2 : J Leach to Mathews, FOUR! Loosner from Leach. It was dragged in short and Mathews whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 32.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Flatter and quicker on middle, Mathews rocks back and punches it off the back foot to point. |
| 32.4 : J Leach to Mathews, A tad short, Mathews cuts it through point for a single. |
| 32.5 : J Leach to Silva, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 32.6 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery spins away, Silva tries to cut it but misses it. |
| 33.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery around off, Mathews lets it go. |
| 33.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Drags it short outside off, Angelo punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 33.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Tosses it up on middle, Silva tries to push it and the ball spins away and the batsman missed it completely. |
| 33.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Shorter on middle, Sila rocks on the back foot and punches it through point for a run. |
| 33.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Full on middle, Angelo tucksi it off his pads through the leg side for a run. |
| 33.6 : A Rashid to Silva, On middle, Silva comes to the pitch of the ball and drives it through wide mid on for a run. |
| 34.1 : J Leach to Silva, Loopy ball outside off, not much turn. Mathews knows exactly where his stumps are and covers it. The ball goes to the keeper. |
| 34.2 : J Leach to Silva, FOUR! Lovely! The runs are not hard to come despite everything going on. Tossed up ball on off, Silva drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 34.3 : J Leach to Silva, In line of the stumps, Silva blocks it out. |
| 34.4 : J Leach to Silva, Outside off, cut to point. |
| 34.5 : J Leach to Silva, Flat and on off, Silva punches the ball off his back foot to the off side. |
| 34.6 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted ball around off, a soft leading edge away from the silly point fielder. |
| 35.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Fuller delivery on middle, Angelo pushes it straight to the bowler. |
| 35.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery around off, Mathews rocks back and cuts it through point for a single. |
| 35.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Tossed up delivery on middle, Silva defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Drags it short again, the batsman punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 35.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Similar delivery, AM cuts it through backward point. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 35.6 : A Rashid to Silva, On middle, Silva flicks it off his pads to the square leg. |
| 36.1 : J Leach to Mathews, A tad fuller on middle, Mathews tucks it to the on side for a single. |
| 36.2 : J Leach to R Silva, Was it a chance for a catch? Quicker on middle, Silva leans forward and tries to defend it but hits the inside half and the pads and lobs it to silly point. |
| 36.3 : J Leach to Silva, A tad fuller on middle, Silva sweeps it through fine leg. |
| 36.4 : J Leach to Silva, No run. |
| 36.5 : J Leach to Silva, FOUR. |
| 36.6 : J Leach to Silva, No run. |
| 37.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flat leg spinner on off, punched towards covers for one. |
| 37.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Loopy leg spin on off, beats the outside edge of Roshen. |
| 37.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Driven through covers, Silva changes ends. |
| 37.4 : A Rashid to Mathews, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 37.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, On middle and leg, hit to long on for a single. |
| 37.6 : A Rashid to Silva, GOOGLY! Peach! Almost gets his man. Wrong 'un outside off, it spins back in big time. Goes under the bat of Silva and over the stumps who looks to cut it. |
| 38.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Outside off, cut past the the point region for an easy run. |
| 38.2 : J Leach to Silva, Arm ball on off, cut to point this time. |
| 38.3 : J Leach to Silva, Silva leans ahead and defends this ball off his front foot. |
| 38.4 : J Leach to Silva, Left alone. Some turn from outside off and it keeps going away. |
| 38.5 : J Leach to Silva, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 38.6 : J Leach to Silva, Tossed up ball down leg, Silva sweeps it fine towards fine leg. Nicely done, easy couple. |
| 39.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Tossed up delivery around middle, Mathews defends it with a straight bat. |
| 39.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, Angelo rocks back and cuts it through point for a single. Also brings up the 32nd fifty for Angelo Mathews. Very good innings from him so far. He needs to continue for a longer period of time. |
| 39.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Floats it up on middle, Silva guides it to third man. |
| 39.4 : A Rashid to R Silva, On middle, Silva drives it through mid on for a single. |
| 39.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Was there an inside edge on to that? Flighted delivery on leg, AM leans forward and tries to defend it off the front foot, but it hits him on the front pad and lobs it towards short leg fielder. |
| 39.6 : A Rashid to Mathews, Drags it short on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot through point. The batsmen rotate strike. |
| 40.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Tossed up on middle stump, Mathews plays it towards mid on. |
| 40.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted delivery on off stump, Mathews cuts it towards point. They take a single. |
| 40.3 : J Leach to Silva, Full toss on leg stump, Silva flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 40.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Tossed up on middle stump, Mathews defends off the front foot. |
| 40.5 : J Leach to Mathews, Turns into t Mathews gets an outside edge towards first slip. |
| 40.6 : J Leach to Mathews, Loopy delivery on off stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 41.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller delivery on middle, the batsman comes down the track and defends it off the front foot. |
| 41.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Silva drives it through covers for a single. |
| 41.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, Drags it short, Mathews punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 41.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Tossed up delivery around off. Silva stands it firm on the crease as the ball spins away from him. |
| 41.5 : A Rashid to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 41.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Full on middle, the batsman taps it to point. |
| 42.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Drags it short on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot to point. |
| 42.2 : J Leach to Mathews, On middle, Mathews has played that off the front foot and on to the ground. |
| 42.3 : J Leach to Mathews, Drags it short on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 42.4 : J Leach to R Silva, FOUR! Flighted delivery around off, Silva leans forward, gets a thick outside edge as the ball spins away from the him and the ball races away to the third man boundary. |
| 42.5 : J Leach to Silva, A tad fuller on middle, Silva tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 42.6 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery around off, the batsman stand firm on the crease as the ball spins away from him. |
| 43.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Mathews plays it towards covers. |
| 43.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Tossed up on middle stump, the batsman rocks back and cuts it towards covers. |
| 43.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, Loopy delivery on middle stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 43.4 : A Rashid to Mathews, BYE! Turns into the batsman, Mathews tries to cut but misses it completely and it runs behind the keeper. The keeper fails to collect. They take a single. |
| 43.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery on off stump, Silva plays it towards point. |
| 43.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Tossed up again on middle stump, Silva rocks back and cuts it towards point. The batsmen take a run. |
| 44.1 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Roshen drives it straight to the bowler. |
| 44.2 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery around off, Silva lets it go. |
| 44.3 : J Leach to Silva, Identical delivery, Silva lets it be. |
| 44.4 : J Leach to Silva, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 44.5 : J Leach to Silva, Gives it a bit of air around off, Silva shoulders arms to it. |
| 44.6 : J Leach to Silva, On middle, Silva pushes it to the covers. |
| 45.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Mathews defends off the front foot. He wanted to go for the run but is sent back. |
| 45.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Leg spinner, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 45.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, Tossed up again on middle stump, Mathews rocks back and cuts it towards covers. |
| 45.4 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery again on off stump, the batsman cuts it towards point. They take a single. |
| 45.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Loopy delivery on off stump, Silva plays it towards point. |
| 45.6 : A Rashid to R Silva, Tossed up again on off stump, Silva goes on the back foot and gets an edge towards the slip. |
| DRINKS! It has been a good first hour of play. Lankans have lost a big wicket of Dinuth Karunaratne. It's upto others to step up now. |
| 46.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Drifts away from the batsman, Mathews cuts it towards covers for a single. |
| 46.2 : J Leach to Silva, Tossed up on off stump, Silva plays it towards covers. |
| 46.3 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery on off stump, Silva tries to cut towards point. |
| 46.4 : J Leach to Silva, HUGE APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Tossed up on middle stump, Silva gets hit low on the pads. England decide against the review. |
| 46.5 : J Leach to Silva, Flighted delivery on off stump, Silva cuts it towards point. |
| 46.6 : J Leach to Silva, Loopy delivery on middle stump, Silva defends off the back foot. |
| 47.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, Roshen eases it to long on for a single. Also brings up the 50 run stand between these two. |
| 47.2 : A Rashid to Silva, Tossed up delivery around off, Silva shoulders arms to it. |
| A huge appeal but it has been turned down! Root has taken the review. Silva is the man in question. The pitching seems to be outside leg. |
| 47.3 : A Rashid to Silva, Appeal for lbw. A tad quicker on leg, Silva tries to flick it but was hit on the front pad. Bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Root goes for the review. The replay shows it was pitching outside leg and the batsman survives. Not a good review from England. |
| 47.4 : A Rashid to Silva, A tad fuller on leg, Silva tries to tuck it but was hit on the thigh pad. |
| 47.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Fuller on middle, Silva works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 47.6 : A Rashid to Mathews, Drags it sort on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot through point for a single. |
| 48.1 : J Leach to Mathews, Tossed up on off stump, Mathews defends off the front foot. |
| 48.2 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted delivery on off stump, Mathews rocks back and cuts it towards covers. The batsmen take a run. |
| 48.3 : J Leach to R Silva, Tossed up on off stump, Silva drives it towards covers. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 48.4 : J Leach to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Mathews defends off the front foot and tucks it towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. |
| 48.5 : J Leach to Silva, Loopy delivery on off stump, Silva defends off the front foot. |
| 48.6 : J Leach to Silva, Tossed up on middle stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 49.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Fuller delivery on middle, Mathews pushes it to mid off. |
| 49.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Flatter and quicker on middle, Angelo punches it off the back foot through point for a run. |
| 49.3 : A Rashid to Silva, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 49.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle, Silva lets it be. |
| 49.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Floats it up on middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and on to the ground. |
| 49.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives a bit of air around off, Roshen shoulders arms to it. |
| Moeen Ali is into the attack. |
| 50.1 : M Ali to Mathews, Tossed up delivery on middle, Mathews sweeps it through leg side for a run. |
| 50.2 : M Ali to R Silva, FOUR! Overpitched and driven. It was a loopy delivery on middle, Silva leans forward an drives it firmly through covers for a boundary. |
| 50.3 : M Ali to Silva, On middle, the batsman defends it off the front foot and on to the ground. |
| 50.4 : M Ali to Silva, Huge appeal for lbw. Flighted delivery on leg, Silva tries to tuck it to leg side. It hits him on the back pad. Bowler appeals but umpires shakes his head. The replay shows it was hitting the middle and leg stump. Root should have gone for the review as it was looking close. |
| 50.5 : M Ali to Silva, No run. |
| 50.6 : M Ali to Silva, 1 run. |
| 51.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Short and on leg, Silva rocks back and cuts it towards point for a run. |
| 51.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Loopy ball on off, Mathews blocks it out. |
| 51.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, Down leg, helped fine towards fine leg. They pick up a single. Leg byes given by the umpire. |
| 51.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Gives this air on off, Silva bunts it down. |
| 51.5 : A Rashid to Silva, Full on middle and leg, Silva drives it to mid on. |
| 51.6 : A Rashid to Silva, Pushed to the cover region by Silva. |
| 52.1 : M Ali to Mathews, FOUR! Nice improvisation. Tossed up on off stump, Mathews was early into the shot and plays a reverse sweep towards third man for a boundary. |
| 52.2 : M Ali to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Mathews tucks it past the short leg fielder. They take a single. |
| 52.3 : M Ali to Silva, This is worked with the turn through square leg for a run. |
| 52.4 : M Ali to Mathews, Comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. It is blocked. |
| An appeal for a stumping has been taken upstairs. Mathews is the man in question. He looks relaxed though. |
| 52.5 : M Ali to Mathews, NOT OUT! Mathews has not lifted his foot. This is down the leg side, Mathews lets it be. Foakes collects it and then flicks it onto the stumps. He appeals and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Mathews almost lost his balance but managed to keep his foot grounded in the end. |
| 52.6 : M Ali to Mathews, Finishes the over with a reverse sweep but finds the fielder at point. |
| 53.1 : A Rashid to Silva, Leg spinner on off, driven past the cover region. They cross. |
| 53.2 : A Rashid to Mathews, Short ball outside off, cut through cover-point for another run. |
| 53.3 : Rashid to Silva, Leg spinner down leg, spins back in. Roshen misses his block and gets his on the back leg. A stifled which dies down. Pitched outside leg that. |
| 53.4 : A Rashid to Silva, Uses his feet and drives it through covers to rotate strike. |
| 53.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, Leg spin outside off, Mathews leaves it alone. |
| 53.6 : A Rashid to Mathews, Closer to the off pole, Mathews bunts it down. |
| 54.1 : M Ali to Silva, Tossed up on off stump, Silva blocks it well. |
| 54.2 : M Ali to Silva, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Silva defends off the front foot. |
| England feel Roshen has edged that one, the umpire feels different though. They have taken the review. |
| 54.3 : M Ali to Silva, OUT! And it is a successful one! England are pumped up as they have got the hero of the first innings. The missed review a couple of overs prior has not cost them a lot and the 73-run stand has been cut short. Moeen Ali gets his first and Sri Lanka now have half the side back in the hut. This is tossed up around off, it comes back in after pitching. Silva tries to flick it with the turn but it goes off something to Root who takes it and appeals. The umpire shakes his head. |
| Niroshan Dickwella is the next batsman in. |
| 54.4 : M Ali to Dickwella, Swept and swept nicely! Away from the fielder in the deep, a couple taken. |
| 54.5 : M Ali to Dickwella, FOUR! Now the reverse sweep and gets the desired result. It races through the backward point region for a boundary. |
| 54.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, So Dickwella has come out with the Buttler approach. Sweep, reverse sweep and now the sweep but finds short fine leg. |
| 55.1 : A Rashid to Mathews, Drags it short around off, Mathews cuts it through point for a run. |
| 55.2 : A Rashid to Dickwella, It was a tad fuller on middle, Niroshan reverse sweeps it though third man for a run. |
| 55.3 : A Rashid to Mathews, A loopy delivery on leg, Mathews tries to flick it but the ball spins away and the batsman misses it completely. |
| 55.4 : A Rashid to A Mathews, FOUR! SHOT! A flighted delivery on middle, Angelo leans forward and drives it firmly through covers for a boundary. |
| 55.5 : A Rashid to Mathews, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Mathews. A half tracker from Rashid, Angelo hangs back and pulls it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. Mathews is turning it on here. |
| 55.6 : A Rashid to Mathews, Tossed up delivery on middle, AM defends it off the front foot and on to the ground. |
| 56.1 : M Ali to Dickwella, Tossed up on middle stump, Dickwella defends off the front foot. |
| 56.2 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Dickwella chips it over covers. It lands in no man's land. The batsmen take a single. |
| 56.3 : M Ali to Mathews, Tossed up again on middle stump, Mathews sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen get a run. |
| 56.4 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flighted delivery on leg stump, Dickwella sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 56.5 : M Ali to Mathews, Loopy delivery on middle stump, Mathews tucks it past short leg. |
| 56.6 : M Ali to Mathews, Tossed up again on middle stump, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| Joe Root is back on. |
| 57.1 : Joe Root to Dickwella, A tad full on middle, Niroshan pushes it covers for a single. |
| 57.2 : Joe Root to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle, AM works it to the leg side for a run. |
| 57.3 : Joe Root to Dickwella, On middle, the batsman watchfully defends it. |
| 57.4 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Tossed up delivery on middle, Dickwella sweeps it to the square leg region. |
| 57.5 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Floats it up on middle, ND defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 57.6 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Quicker on middle, Niroshan defends it off the back foot and on to the ground. |
| 58.1 : M Ali to Mathews, Tossed up on middle stump, Mathews defends off the front foot. |
| 58.2 : M Ali to Mathews, Flighted delivery on leg stump, Mathews tucks it towards fine leg. |
| 58.3 : M Ali to Mathews, LEG BYE! Extra bounce on this one, Mathews goes for the reverse sweep and gets it off his shoulder. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a run. |
| 58.4 : M Ali to Dickwella, FOUR! Good shot. Flighted delivery on middle stump, Dickwella slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Sri Lanka need less than 100 runs now. |
| 58.5 : M Ali to Dickwella, Tossed up on middle stump, the batsman sweeps it towards square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 58.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flighted delivery on middle stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 59.1 : Joe Root to Mathews, A tad fuller on middle, Mathews tucks it to the mid-wicket region. |
| 59.2 : Joe Root to Mathews, Flighted delivery on off, AM defends it by presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 59.3 : Joe Root to Mathews, Quicker on middle, Mathews works it to the square leg region. |
| 59.4 : Joe Root to Mathews, Fires it quicker on middle, Mathews flicks it towards square leg for a run. |
| 59.5 : Joe Root to Dickwella, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.6 : Joe Root to Dickwella, FOUR! Easily punched there from Niroshan. A tad short on middle, the batsman punches it off the back foot through point for a boundary. |
| 60.1 : M Ali to Mathews, Tossed up outside off stump, Mathews sweeps it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run. |
| 60.2 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Dickwella sweeps it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run. |
| 60.3 : M Ali to N Dickwella, Overthrows! Just what Sri Lanka wanted. Flighted delivery on middle stump, Mathews plays it towards short fine leg. The batsmen take a single. Root there collects it and throws it at the keeper's end. Unfortunate for Foakes, it bounces over him and goes through the covers region for a boundary. Five runs added to Sri Lankas total. |
| 60.4 : M Ali to Dickwella, Tossed up again on middle stump, Dickwella tucks it towards fine leg. The batsmen take a single. |
| 60.5 : M Ali to Mathews, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Mathews defends off the back foot. |
| 60.6 : M Ali to Mathews, The batsman charges down the wicket and flicks it to the on side. Dot ball. |
| 61.1 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Quicker and flatter around off, Niroshan taps it to point for a run. |
| 61.2 : Joe Root to Mathews, Drags it short on middle, AM tucks it to the leg side. |
| 61.3 : Joe Root to Mathews, Full on middle, Dickwella sweeps it through fine leg. |
| 61.4 : Joe Root to Dickwella, On middle, Niroshan plays a sweep shot to the fine leg fielder. |
| 61.5 : Joe Root to Dickwella, Flatter on middle, Niroshan punches it off the back foot to covers. |
| 61.6 : Joe Root to Dickwella, A tad short on this occasion, Dickwella sweeps it to the fine leg region. Dickwella has come out with an intent of playing sweep shots more often. AND THAT IS TEA ON DAY 4. |
| A shared session which sees the game evenly poised at the moment. It started with Sri Lanka losing Karunaratne early. Then, Roshen Silva and Angelo Mathews built a very handy stand, 73 to be precise with Mathews getting to yet another fifty. Moeen Ali though struck to get rid of the former and bring England back into the game. Dickwella however, has come out with a lot of intent and since his arrival, Sri Lanka have managed to score quickly. They need only 82 runs more and have 5 wickets in the |
| ... Day 4, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for what could be the final session of the Test. Yes, you read that right! Unless, UNLESS! Rain comes down. 83 runs or 5 wickets what will happen first? Dickwella and Mathews walk out to the middle. Moeen Ali will bowl the first over post Tea. |
| 62.1 : M Ali to Mathews, Flatter ball around off, Mathews has all the time to go back and tuck it around the corner for one. |
| 62.2 : M Ali to Dickwella, Full and on off, Dickwella swipes it through square leg for a single. |
| Review! Big moment in the game! Mathews has been adjudged LBW and straightaway reviews it. Looks out! |
| 62.3 : M Ali to Mathews, OUT! Angelo Mathews has to walk. Moeen Ali is the man that strikes. How many times have England struck just after a break? A very big moment in the game. Loopy ball on middle. The ball comes back in a shade. Mathews is ahead looking to turn it away but misses the ball. It goes on to hit the pads and England appeal. The umpire raises his finger. Angelo has no option but to review it. Replays roll in and it shows us that it would have gone on to clip the leg pole. The umpir |
| Dilruwan Perera is the new man in. |
| 62.4 : M Ali to Perera, Tossed up ball on off, Perera is happy to block it out. |
| 62.5 : M Ali to Perera, Perera gets behind the ball and bunts it down solidly. |
| 62.6 : M Ali to Perera, Full on off, Perera survives the over by defending it. |
| Jack Leach to bowl from the other end. |
| 63.1 : J Leach to Dickwella, Fuller delivery on middle, Dickwella sweeps it to the square leg region for a single. |
| 63.2 : J Leach to Perera, Flighted delivery on leg, Perera tries to flick it but was hit on the pads. Nothing to worry about as the ball was going down leg. |
| 63.3 : J Leach to Perera, A tad fuller on middle, the batsman pushes it to the point region for a run. |
| 63.4 : J Leach to Dickwella, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 63.5 : J Leach to Dickwella, Tossed up delivery on middle, ND plays a sweep shot to the square leg region. |
| 63.6 : J Leach to Dickwella, Quicker and fuller on leg, Dickwella tries to play his go to shot which is sweep but this time he cannot place as the ball hits him on the pads. |
| Have England got another? Stokes is claiming to have taken the catch. The umpires are not sure though, they have taken it upstairs. OUT is the soft signal. |
| 64.1 : M Ali to Perera, NOT OUT! The ball has just bounced in front of Stokes' fingers. The crowd here erupts. A heart in the mouth moment for Sri Lanka there. This is tossed up around leg, Perera works it uppishly towards Stokes at leg gully. He takes and England start celebrating. The umpires have a chat and then take it upstairs. Replays show that it has not carried. They sill have three wickets in hand and need another 78. |
| 64.2 : M Ali to Perera, Flighted delivery on middle stump, Dilruwan defends off the front foot. |
| 64.3 : Ali to Perera, HUGE APPEAL FOR LBW AND A CATCH! NOT OUT! Tossed up again on leg stump, Perera tries to defend but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals and the umpire shakes his head. Meanwhile the short leg fielder appeals for a catch. |
| 64.4 : M Ali to Perera, Loopy delivery on leg stump, Perera flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen take a single. |
| 64.5 : M Ali to Dickwella, Tossed up again on middle stump, Dickwella plays a reverse sweep towards third man. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 64.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, Flighted delivery on middle stump, the batsman drives it towards mid on. |
| 65.1 : J Leach to Perera, Flighted delivery on middle, Perera taps it to covers. |
| 65.2 : Leach to Perera, OUT! Another one bites the dust. Two quick wickets for England after Tea. It looked plumb from the naked eye. It was bowled full on middle, Dilruwan comes forward and tries to drive it but was hit straight on the boots. The bowler appeals and the umpire raises his finger straight away. Dilruwan has a chat with his partner but doesn't opt for the review. It wouldn't have mattered anyways as replay shows us that it would have been umpire's call. 7 down for Sri Lanka and Leac |
| The rain has started to come down, it is not very heavy though but heavy enough for the players to walk off. The covers are now being brought on. |
| That is that then. Rain doesn't want this climax to be ended today. It continues to pour and so the umpires call it a day. STUMPS, DAY 4. |
| Another fascinating day of Test cricket comes to an end. The result would have been known today itself if it had not rained in the latter stages. But it's the England team who will have their noses in front going into Day 5. |
| The Lankans were in a spot of bother early on as they lost three wickets in real quick time to Leach. Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne steadied the ship and formed a partnership of 77. Both stroked their way to 50s. England got the latter post Lunch but Angelo Mathews had other plans. He dug deep and started scoring freely. He formed a good stand with Roshen Silva and Dickwella which made the tourists worried. Mathews fell in the last session and so did Dilruwan Perera just before rain came |
| England were good with the ball in patches. Jack Leach was the pick of the bowlers picking up 4 crucial scalps. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid shared the other wickets. With just 3 wickets left, one would say England will wrap this up quickly. Earlier in the day, Ben Foakes and James Anderson scored some quick runs which ensured Sri Lanka chase a target of above 300. |
| Right then, will we see something spectacular from Dickwella or will England clean them up without breaking a sweat? All to play for on Day 5. We will be having an early start on Sunday as well due to the weather. The action will begin at 0945 local (0415 GMT). Do join us for it. Till then, enjoy your weekend. |
| ... DAY 5, FINAL SESSION? ... |
| 75 runs needed. 3 wickets in hand. A whole day in hand. Don't remember when was the last time we were so excited in anticipation of the game to begin in Test match. England vs India, 1st Test earlier this year, perhaps? Very close. But forget the past, let the present unfold. Hello and a warm welcome to the final day's coverage of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele. |
| The game has swung so much that it might as well be renamed as the Pendulum Test. Not for long has one team been on top and the fact that the other snatches the momentum away, makes it for an exciting viewing. On Day 4, England were all over Sri Lanka, getting 3 quickly before the Lankans fought back. Then, just when it seemed like the home side will surge through, the visitors bounced back with 2 quick wickets. They are now into the tail and will be aiming to clean that up quickly. Sri Lanka, o |
| WEATHER - Rain? Come another day. There are thunderstorms forecast, but later in the afternoon. Doubt we will get that far. |
| Angelo Mathews has a chat with Ian Ward. The all-rounder says that it is very much even at this point of time though he adds, ideally, if he and Dilruwan had not got out, it would have better for his side. States that the first hour will be very crucial. On Dickwella, Angelo says that he is not an easy customer to bowl to, sweeping the bowlers off their lengths and hopes that the remaining batsmen hang around with him. On the second new ball being available in a while, Mathews is not that pertur |
| PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold observes that there is plenty of dust on the surface. Sees that there is plenty of rough around the good length area around and outside off which will enable plenty of bounce and turn. But it will be slow, which will perhaps enable batsmen to feel easy if they play late. |
| The players are out in the middle then. Technically 98.4 overs allotted. England have 74 runs to defend. Sri Lanka have 3 wickets in the bank. Akila Dananjaya has come out to bat to join Dickwella. Jack Leach to continue his pending over. Here we go! |
| 65.3 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 65.4 : J Leach to A Dananjaya, Around off, pushed past the bowler and short mid-wicket towards mid on. |
| 65.5 : J Leach to Dananjaya, First run of the morning. Around leg, Akila gets forward and works it cautiously past short leg, all along the ground for a single. |
| 65.6 : J Leach to N Dickwella, Full and around off, Dickwella looks to drive but gets an outside edge past the slip fielder towards backward point. A run taken. |
| Meanwhile, it is Dinesh Chandimal's birthday today. He turns 29. Can the Lankans gift him a win as a present? Here is Moeen Ali. |
| 66.1 : M Ali to Dickwella, Immediately Dickwella starts with the reverse sweep. Fetches this from outside leg and gets it to backward point for a single. |
| 66.2 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run. |
| 66.3 : M Ali to Dickwella, Full and outside leg, Niroshan looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the glove. An LBW appeal starts but then goes down immediately. |
| 66.4 : M Ali to Dickwella, Another sweep shot played, a bit uppishly, towards deep backward square leg for one. Dickwella moves to 30 from 34 balls. |
| 66.5 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Full and around middle, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 66.6 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Around off, compactly defended towards cover. |
| 67.1 : J Leach to Dickwella, Full and down the leg side, Dickwella looks to sweep but misses. |
| 67.2 : J Leach to Dickwella, Fuller again, around middle, pushed through the covers for a single. 69 more to win now. |
| 67.3 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Full and straight, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 67.4 : J Leach to Dananjaya, That stays low, pushed straight through, Dananjaya does well to bring his bat down and adjust to the low bounce, pushing it back to the bowler. |
| 67.5 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Again around off, punched back to Leach once more. |
| 67.6 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Landed around off, Akila goes back and blocks. |
| 68.1 : M Ali to Dickwella, Full and around leg, Dickwella unfurls the reverse sweep and gets it over point. Deep backward point tidies up. A single taken. |
| 68.2 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Full and around off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 68.3 : M Ali to Dananjaya, First one really that has spun today. Moeen lands this slightly beyond the rough outside off, on a fuller length, Akila comes forward to punch but misses as the ball turns away a mile. |
| 68.4 : M Ali to Dananjaya, IN THE AIR... OVER COVER! Slightly nervous moments for the Lankans. This is shorter in length, spinning away from outside off, Dananjaya is early into his push and spoons it uppishly. Just eludes the man at cover. Two runs taken. |
| 68.5 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket for one. The stand is now worth 10. |
| 68.6 : M Ali to Dickwella, Full and straight, well blocked out. |
| 69.1 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Full and around leg, Akila flicks it away and the ball sneaks through Ben Stokes at leg gully, towards fine leg. A single taken. |
| 69.2 : Leach to Dickwella, Very loud appeal for LBW! Turned down. Was there bat involved? Only bat. Full and around leg, Dickwella looked to sweep but missed and got a bottom edge, then got hit on the glove. |
| 69.3 : J Leach to Dickwella, Third full toss from Leach this morning, Niroshan sweeps it through backward square leg for a couple. |
| 69.4 : J Leach to Dickwella, BEATEN! Very well bowled. Full and outside off, ND looks to defend but the ball spins back in a long way and misses the outside edge, narrowly missing the off stump! |
| 69.5 : J Leach to N Dickwella, On middle and leg, pushed down to long on for a run. |
| 69.6 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Full and around off, pushed towards cover. |
| 70.1 : M Ali to N Dickwella, OUT! Edged and taken! Moeen Ali strikes and England's stocks rise higher! Beautifully bowled. Moeen tosses this up outside off, on a fuller length and induces the drive from Dickwella. The southpaw obliges, goes for it but then the ball turns away and takes the outside edge. It goes in a flash to Ben Stokes at first slip and he makes no mistake. That was the wicket needed for England this morning. An early scalp. That too of Dickwella. Game over? 61 runs needed, 2 wic |
| 0.0 : Skipper Suranga Lakmal comes in at number 10, probably on one of those days when a 'captain's knock' is expected out of him. |
| 70.2 : M Ali to Lakmal, Beautiful bowling again. Landed outside off, Lakmal gets across to defend but the ball spins in a long way, goes past the bat and hits the bat. England appeal for LBW but that was too high. |
| 70.3 : M Ali to S Lakmal, OUT! BOWLED! One brings two! Moeen is getting this over done with quickly. Another lovely piece of bowling. Full and outside off, Lakmal looks to defend and once more the ball spins in, goes past the inside edge, exploiting the gap between bat and pad and hits the off stump! England just a wicket away from a series win. |
| Malinda Pushpakumara is the last man in. |
| 70.4 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Full and around off, Pushpakumara looks to defend but misses and is hit high on the thigh pad. |
| 70.5 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 70.6 : M Ali to Pushpakumara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 71.1 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Full and around off, pushed to the bowler. |
| 71.2 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Comes forward and blocks it back again. |
| 71.3 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Goes back and blocks it down the pitch. |
| 71.4 : J Leach to Dananjaya, IN THE AIR BUT IN THE GAP! Nearly... Full and down the leg side, Akila flicks it uppishly and Keaton Jennings at short leg reacts, but in the wrong direction. He moves to his right while the ball flies past his left hand, towards backward square leg. A single taken. |
| 71.5 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Full and outside off, Pushpakumara looks to drive but is comprehensively beaten. Ben Foakes whips the bails off and appeals for a stumping which is referred upstairs. Replays show that the back foot did not go up only. |
| 71.6 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.1 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Full and around off, Akila has a wild swing, only to miss. |
| 72.2 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 72.3 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Nearly got him! But too much turn. Full and tossed up outside off, Dananjaya comes down the track but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Swings hard but misses. However due to the extravagant turn, Foakes takes a little bit of a while before taking the bails off. |
| 72.4 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Full and around off, Akila comes forward and prods ahead. |
| 72.5 : M Ali to Dananjaya, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 72.6 : M Ali to Dananjaya, Pushes this towards point. |
| 73.1 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Full and outside off, Pushpakumara feels for the ball and gets beaten. |
| 73.2 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, TOP EDGE, SAFE. Full and around middle, Malinda looks to sweep but gets a top edge. Luckily for him, there is no one patrolling the backward square leg area. A single taken. 59 more to win now. |
| 73.3 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Full and around middle once more, watchfully defended. |
| 73.4 : J Leach to Dananjaya, Comes down the track and pushes it towards long on for a single. |
| 73.5 : J Leach to Pushpakumara, Full and outside off, MP looks to sweep but misses as the ball turns away by a big margin. |
| IS THAT THE MATCH? Jack Leach and the entire English team are confident that they have the series in the bag. The umpires have reviewed the caught and bowled decision upstairs. Did the ball bounce? The SOFT SIGNAL IS OUT. |
| 73.6 : Leach to Pushpakumara, OUT! That has gone off the face of the bat! ENGLAND WIN BY 57 RUNS AND TAKE AN UNASSAILABLE 2-0 LEAD IN THE 3-MATCH SERIES! Well done, Jack Leach. A fifer in just his 6th inning. He tosses this around off and as soon as the ball lands, there is an explosion around the surface. Pushpakumara looks to drive and the ball goes straight off the face of the bat, back to the bowler, who runs to his left to complete the formalities. Malinda does not move, he reckons that it i |
| Done and dusted in 35 minutes. Wow. Can get a full day to myself, if my manager permits me to do so. Leaving aside personal jubilation, getting back to the match, this is the first Test series win for England in Sri Lanka after 16 years. Boy, have they deserved it thoroughly. Terrific moment for Joe Root, who has his first Test series win outside home. The players are currently doing a lap of honour around the ground and Ian Ward is frantically searching for a few players with whom he can have a |
| The three musketeers first up, as addressed by Ward - the spin trio - Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Jack Leach. Leach says that it is a great feeling and credits Rashid and Moeen for helping him out while bowling. Adds that on Saturday, England had to battle hard but that is Test cricket. Adil Rashid says that it was great fun with three spinners in the side. Is proud to be part of a team that has made history. Moeen agrees that Dickwella's wicket was the big one needed this morning and England wan |
| Aha... Ian Ward gets someone else as well, for a chat. It is Ben Foakes. Foakes says that England were in a tricky situation last evening but is now happy with the series win. On his batting in this country, Ben says that it was challenging but he tried to play late and read the ball carefully. So far, he adds, he is enjoying his outing. Credits batting coach Mark Ramprakash for making things easier and maintaining a pleasant atmosphere in the dressing room. |
| About the match then. England won their 7th toss in a row and went about the 'Australian' style of batting on a spinning track - ATTACK. They lived by the sword and died by it, mustering 290, riding high on Buttler's 63 and a crucial 64 from Sam Curran. Sri Lanka started cautiously in contrast but then lost their way in the middle, only to recover to a 46-run lead, thanks to a patient 85 from Roshen Silva. That also included a 5-run penalty. |
| With just 46 runs adrift, it became a one-inning shootout. This time skipper Joe Root came to the fore, with a clinical 124 to shore the top order while towards the end, Foakes' 65 started taking the game away from the Lankans. Eventually, a target of 301 was set. |
| Chasing what seemed like a massive total, the Lankans were 26/3 in the 8th over. Many might have thought at that stage - wow. Game over on Saturday itself. But then, began a massive fightback. |
| Karunaratne, Mathews, Roshen and Dickwella hung in there, getting in useful stands and at one stage, it seemed like the target was gettable. At 221/5, with 80 needed, the Lankans were looking as the prime favourites. But then, Mathews fell and Dilruwan followed. There was some drama as rain spoilt the party, preventing a Day 4 finish but this morning, the visitors barely took time to wrap it up. |
| Now, the bowling. 40 wickets fell in this game - 38 WERE TAKEN BY SPINNERS - THE MOST IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT. Jennings' dismissal by Lakmal and Karunaratne's run out by Stokes were the only non-spin dismissals. Sri Lanka prepared spinning tracks where their own spinners thrived but unfortunately for them, their opposition thrived even more. While it was a team effort, Akila's 6-fer and Leach's 5-fer in their respective team's second innings stood out. In the end, the difference was the way |
| Sri Lankan skipper, Suranga Lakmal, feels that both sides played good cricket and England deserved to win. Cannot fault anything in his team, he says but when stressed further, he adds that the unit gave its 100 percent. Russel Arnold then asks questions to him in Sinhalese but sadly for us, there is no translation. |
| Victorious England captain, JOE ROOT says that England were great in the whole game, being under pressure at times but even during those moments, the team responded well, by staying calm and getting the momentum back. Gives that to the close games against India, which helped the side to learn how to play under pressure. Praises the seniors in Stokes and Buttler for keeping the team in good spirits even under pressure. On the first innings' batting, Joe says that before the series began, the talk |
| Okay! 2-0 to England. Can they make it 3-0 in a week's time? Sri Lanka's woes continue to deepen but can they muster some courage and avoid a whitewash at least? A draw might do their batsmen a world of good. Join us for all the action from the third and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from Friday. November 23, 2018 at 10 am local (0430 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
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