| 2.1 : 2.1: S Lakmal to Burns, FOUR! The first boundary of the game. An overpitched delivery at the pads, Burns flicks it away easily in front of square leg for four runs. Good chase by the fielder but the ball wins the race. |
| 4.6 : 4.6: S Lakmal to Burns, FOUR! Great timing and quick outfield here. This one was on a length outside off, Burns comes ahead and drives away from his body but in the gap through the covers. The ball rushes away to the fence. |
| 7.5 : 7.5: D Perera to Burns, OUT! Bowled 'em! Burns misses a straight one and the ball hits the off stump. Burns has looked tentative this morning with his footwork. He plays on the back foot to one that he should've probably been ahead to. The ball is flatter and skids on after landing to hit the off pole. Rory rocks back to cut it but is beaten. Sri Lanka celebrate as they draw first blood. |
| 7.6 : 7.6: D Perera to Bairstow, FOUR! Off the mark straightaway and in some style. The ball was looped up outside off and Bairstow is positive as he drives on the front foot through the covers. The ball just speeds away through the grass and all the way to the boundary. What good timing! It looked like a mere push but has brought him four. |
| 10.4 : 10.4: M Pushpakumara to Jennings, FOUR! Good paddle sweep by the left-handed Jennings. The ball was flatter and on off but the batsman is down early and paddles it away fine for four. |
| 10.5 : 10.5: M Pushpakumara to Jennings, OUT! What an inspired fielding change by Lakmal. Leg slip had just been placed there after the previous ball and Jennings guides it straight into his arms. The ball was on middle and Jennings looks to turn it away fine with the spin. To his dismay, there was Roshen Silva waiting for just that who takes a good low catch. Walked right into the trap there is Keaton. Jennings waits for a bit, no idea why. The umpires then ask him to keep marching towards the dressin |
| 12.4 : 12.4: M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Enough is enough says Joe. Flighted ball on off, Root gets low, reaches for it and swipes it front of square, through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 15.2 : 15.2: L Sandakan to Bairstow, FOUR! Low full toss outside off, Bairstow swipes it from outside off and sweeps it with power. No fielder there and a boundary results. |
| 15.3 : 15.3: L Sandakan to Bairstow, FOUR! Short ball outside off, deserved punishment. Jonny rocks back and cuts it through the vacant cover-point region for back-to-back boundaries. |
| 16.6 : 16.6: M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, SIX! First of the match. Sees the ball flighted, gets low and slogs it over mid-wicket for half a dozen. Bairstow now has a strike rate of above 100. |
| 17.1 : 17.1: L Sandakan to Root, FOUR! Swept powerfully over mid-wicket for four runs. The ball is full and outside off, Root goes down on one knee and smashes it over mid-wicket and into the fence on one bounce. |
| 23.5 : 23.5: D Perera to Bairstow, FOUR! Super shot. Gets on one knee and sweeps it with force through square leg. It won't be cut off and Jonny moves into the 40s. |
| 24.1 : 24.1: M Pushpakumara to Root, FOUR! Root is no pushover. Shows Bairstow even he has it in him. Gets low and sweeps it in front of square trough mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 31.3 : 31.3: D Perera to Bairstow, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Bairstow rocks back and cuts it beautifully in front of square on the off side for a boundary. |
| 34.5 : 34.5: L Sandakan to Bairstow, FOUR! Shorter this time, Bairstow stays back in his crease and cuts it away to the point boundary. Deep backward point can't get around in time as the outfield is too quick. |
| 36.2 : 36.2: L Sandakan to Root, This one is short outside off, Root goes back in his crease and opens his bat face to the gap wide of slip for four. Well-placed by the skipper. |
| 38.1 : 38.1: Sandakan to Joe Root, OUT! Wicket against the run of play and at a totally unexpected time. The ball was flighted and going the other way, Root goes for a shot above mid-wicket and top edges this one high in the air. Gunathilaka has all the time in the world to come underneath it and pouches it comfortably. Root will be fuming, misses a fifty but mainly will be sad because of the way he has been dismissed. |
| 42.1: L Sandakan to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Too short down leg, Stokes rocks back, needs no second invitation and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 43.3 : 43.3: D Perera to Bairstow, FOUR! Short again. Poor ball. Jonny goes back and cuts it through cover-point to bring up the 150 for the tourists. |
| 44.6 : 44.6: L Sandakan to Ben Stokes, FOUR! A bit short on middle and leg, Stokes goes back and pulls this over mid-wicket for another boundary. Looks good now. |
| 46.1 : 46.1: L Sandakan to Stokes, FOUR! Effective! Outside off, Stokes reverse sweeps this with some connection past the slip fielder for a boundary. |
| 49.2 : 49.2: de Silva to Stokes, FOUR! Smashed over mid-wicket. This one was full and outside off. Stokes goes down on one knee and lifts it over mid-wicket with brute force and picks up four runs. |
| 50.3 : 50.3: M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, FOUR! The sweep again. Reaches for it from outside off and sweeps through square leg for another boundary. |
| 54.4 : 54.4: Perera to Stokes, SIX! HUGE! What a hit. Loopy ball on middle and leg, Stokes uses his feet and lofts it over long on for a biggie. Playing for Tea? What's that? |
| 58.3 : 58.3: D Perera to Stokes, SIX! Third of the innings. His second. Picks up the flighted ball and slogs this over cow corner for half a dozen. |
| 64.2 : 64.2: L Sandakan to Stokes, FOUR! Short and pulled away for four to deep square leg. Deserved to be punished and is rightly so. |
| 64.5 : 64.5: L Sandakan to Ben Stokes, OUT! The stand is broken on 99. Stokes has been drawn on to the front foot and has been caught at slip. Third good ball on the trot from Sandakan and Stokes has come ahead to drive it. Looped up outside off, Stokes just manages to get an outside edge which is gobbled up easily by Dhananjaya de Silva at slip. Stokes is disappointed and Sri Lanka have got another wicket against the run of play. |
| 67.6 : 67.6: M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, FOUR! Short and wide, duly punished. Outside off, Bairstow cuts it late through backward point. The fielder in the deep runs to his left but cannot stop it. |
| 68.1 : 68.1: L Sandakan to Buttler, FOUR! This outfield is really quick. Back-to-back boundaries for England. Buttler has ample of time to rock back and cut it through cover-point. The ball touches the fence. |
| 70.4 : 70.4: Sandakan to J Bairstow, OUT! Bowled 'em! Leg spinner on off, spins back in. Bairstow gets low and looks to heave this one away. Doesn't get to the pitch of the ball, not in perfect shape, takes his eyes of the ball and finds his stumps broken. Wonder how much fatigue was in that shot? But a wonderful innings comes to an end. Out of the side and made the most of his position to almost cement his spot. Has given England the upper hand with his great 100. Finally a reward for Lakshan Sandakan |
| 72.2 : 72.2: L Sandakan to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Very good head position to get a boundary to his name. Drives this from outside off, through covers. The ball races to the fence. |
| 74.4 : 74.4: Sandakan to Buttler, OUT! This ones' stuck in Sandakan's hands. The ball is a nothing one on off but holds up slightly in the pitch. Jos is early into his push shot and the ball lobs right back at the bowler. Sandakan in his follow through does well to put his left arm up and the ball gets stuck. This is his fourth wicket. Are Sri Lanka quietly making a comeback in this last session? |
| 77.2 : 77.2: D Perera to Ali, FOUR! Ali gets his first boundary. Flighted outside off, and coming in with the angle. Ali goes down on one knee and sweeps it away in front of square for four. |
| 80.4 : 80.4: D Perera to Ali, FOUR! Ali comes down the wicket to this ball which was full on middle. He lifts it over mid on and fetches himself four runs. |
| 81.5 : 81.5: M Pushpakumara to Foakes, FOUR! Short and pulled away behind square on the leg side for four. No fielder present there. |
| 81.6 : 81.6: M Pushpakumara to Foakes, FOUR! This one is swept away and it is back to back boundaries for Foakes. It is in front of square leg this time. |
| 83.1 : 83.1: M Pushpakumara to Foakes, OUT! Dickwella holds onto one and Foakes has to depart. A bit on the shorter side outside off, Foakes looks to cut it way. Extra bounce on this one and he gets a nick to the keeper who makes no mistake. They appeal and the umpire raises his finger. England lose their seventh wicket and some smiles for the hosts towards the end of the day. |
| 87.5 : 87.5: S Lakmal to A Rashid, FOUR! Beautiful shot. England keep getting boundaries. Full and outside off, Rashid comes forward and drives it through the covers! |
| 88.6 : 88.6: D Perera to Rashid, FOUR! Rashid goes for the sweep and hits the full ball on his pads into the ground. The ball bounces above leg slip and runs away for four runs. |
| 89.2 : 89.2: S Lakmal to Ali, FOUR! Fuller and on off, Ali leans into this one and drives it beautifully through the covers for four runs. |
| 89.6 : 89.6: S Lakmal to M Ali, FOUR! Uppishly driven through the covers. But timing and placement is perfect from Mo. Expensive over, ten off it in the end. |
| 90.5 : 90.5: D Perera to Ali, OUT! Ali walks right into the trap set for him. Four dot balls in the over and he goes for a big one and just chips it straight to the fielder set for this exact shot. The ball is looped up generously by Perera and Ali dances down the wicket to hit it over the fence. Perhaps wanted to go over long on but in the end, just chips it straight to long off. The Sri Lankans are very happy to have got the main man this early. |
| 91.2 : 91.2: L Sandakan to Broad, OUT! Bowled 'em! Broad misses this one completely. The ball was looped up full on middle, Broad goes for the paddle sweep and misses the ball that goes on to hit the middle stump. 5-wicket haul for Sandakan, his second in Tests. |
| 92.5 : 92.5: D Perera to Leach, OUT! What a catch! Angelo Mathews has taken a stunner. Tossed up ball around off, Jack Leach comes down the pitch and looks to go big. Gets more height towards long off. Mathews there runs back, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a stunner before tumbling over. ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 336. |
| 0.5 : 0.5: S Broad to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Off the mark and in some style! Slightly overpitched, Danushka drives it in the air but in the gap as well. Beautiful timing. |
| 4.2 : 4.2: S Broad to D Karunaratne, DROPPED! and FOUR runs. Jaffa from Broad, forcing Dimuth to play at this one just outside off. It takes an edge and flies to Root at first slip, who is in a very awkward position and drops the catch. The ball hits his wrist and speeds off to the boundary. Should've been taken, wasn't that difficult a take. |
| 8.6 : 8.6: S Broad to Karunaratne, FOUR! Quality shot! This one is full and on middle, Dimuth takes a step down and pushes his weight onto this on drive. The bat is so straight and the balance is so good. Wonderful timing! |
| 9.2 : 9.2: J Leach to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Good reading of the field. This one is full and on off, Danushka reverse sweeps it for four. No fielder present there. Looked in full control of the shot. |
| 11.3 : 11.3: J Leach to Gunathilaka, FOUR! Loopy ball on middle, Gunathilaka gets low to sweep it and catches it well. Hits it over square leg for boundary. |
| 11.4 : 11.4: J Leach to D Gunathilaka, OUT! Keaton Jennings take a beauty, AGAIN! He has made short leg his own. Given air on middle and leg, Dimuth once again looks to go big on the on side. Uses his feet but gets it off the inner half and onto his pad. The ball goes towards Jennings at short leg. Now then, seeing Gunathilaka charging down, Keaton moves along with him. The ball hits his body and Jennings holds onto it. You can argue that he was lucky, but to be brave and stand tall in that position is |
| 15.4: J Leach to Silva, FOUR! Uppish but over Bairstow. Tossed up ball around off, Dhananjaya uses his feet and lofts it just over Jonny at mid off. Boundary. |
| 17.4: J Leach to Silva, FOUR! Sits up nicely outside off, de Silva rocks back and punches this through covers for a boundary. First lose ball perhaps of the innings. |
| 17.5 : 17.5: J Leach to Silva, FOUR! Inviting pressure. Short again outside off, this time de Silva cuts it square through point for back-to-back boundaries. |
| 18.6 : 18.6: M Ali to Karunaratne, FOUR! On middle and leg, reverse swept past Stokes at slip to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 20.5 : 20.5: M Ali to de Silva, FOUR! Looks like Dhananjaya has gone through his patchy spell. Makes room and drives this ball through covers for a good looking boundary. |
| 22.5: S Broad to D Karunaratne, EDGED but four! The ball was full and angling away outside off. Dimuth plays the lazy drive but gets an edge that keeps low and goes in the gap between fourth slip and gully and all the way to the fence. |
| 23.1 : 23.1: M Ali to de Silva, FOUR! Punished. Around the wicket, tossed up on middle but the length is short. Pulled away to deep square leg for a boundary. Brings up the 50-run stand between these two. |
| 25.4 : 25.4: M Ali to Silva, FOUR! He's looking good here! Gets to the pitch of this looped up ball outside off and pushes it to the right of mid off. No chance for the fielder there. |
| 28.2 : 28.2: S Broad to Karunaratne, FOUR! On the pads and that's bread and butter for Karunaratne. Fuller in length, flicked away to the mid-wicket boundary. Superb timing! |
| 28.5 : 28.5: S Broad to Karunaratne, FOUR! That's just classy! Overpitched and Dimuth shows the maker's name as he drives this straight down the ground! Lovely to watch! |
| 33.6 : 33.6: J Leach to Karunaratne, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Lofted this full one on middle over mid-wicket and in the gap for yet another boundary. The runs are coming easily now. Seven off this over. |
| 34.5 : 34.5: M Ali to Silva, FOUR! Swept away to fine leg for a boundary, the ball was full and outside off and de Silva gets down on one knee and sweeps it away. Also brings up the 100-run stand between these two. Good partnership this and much needed for the hosts. |
| 38.3 : 38.3: M Ali to Silva, FOUR! Lots of flight on this one, and lots of time for de Silva to go down and sweep this away to the left of fine leg and into the fence. |
| 42.3: M Ali to Karunaratne, FOUR! Not easy to play against the turn. Full and on middle and leg, Dimuth gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it through mid-wicket for a good looking boundary. |
| 42.5 : 42.5: M Ali to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Full and on off, Karunaratne with full confidence drives it in the gap through covers. Back-to-back boundaries for the southpaw. |
| 47.3 : 47.3: A Rashid to Silva, OUT! Finally a wicket for England! Jennings is surely making a name for himself as a short leg fielder. And this is so much more better because of the concentration level that a player needs to keep in such conditions and during such a time in the game. Coming to the ball, it was a flatter one on middle, Dhananjaya who has been motoring along so well guides it straight to short leg. Jennings is nice and low and pouches it beautifully. The stand of 142 comes to an end. Im |
| 48.4 : 48.4: Ben Stokes to Mendis, FOUR! Deliberately done. Outside off again, Kusal nudges it well past the backwards point region for a boundary. |
| 51.6 : 51.6: A Rashid to Karunaratne, OUT! Third catch for Keaton Jennings. Loopy ball on off from Adil. Karunaratne prods forward to block it but gets an edge which goes straight in the hands of Keaton at short leg. For a change, this one is quite simple. Dimuth walks back after a very good knock and England strike straight after Tea. |
| 52.1 : 52.1: Ben Stokes to Mendis, FOUR! Around the wicket, short of a length and angling away. Kusal guides it away, wide of point, all the way to the fence. It was slightly in the air but in the gap. |
| 52.5 : 52.5: Ben Stokes to Mathews, FOUR! Off the mark is Mathews. Short ball down leg, Angelo in full control pulls it fine through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 54.1 : 54.1: Ben Stokes to Mathews, OUT! The catch is clean but not from Jennings. Is that allowed? Mathews has to take the long walk back and Sri Lanka lose another quick wicket post Tea. Stokes bangs it short again outside off, Mathews looks to pull it but gets it off the toe end towards the keeper. Foakes moves to his right then dives low and takes a good catch. The umpires take it up to check weather it is clean and replays do justice. Great passage of play for England. |
| 55.6 : 55.6: A Rashid to R Silva, OUT! Jennings again! This is what we are talking about! Only he is allowed to take them. Another blinder. What a game he is having and just making his compilations of catches at short leg look even better. Googly from Adil on middle and leg, Silva looks to stonewall it but it goes towards Keaton. Jennings with cat-like reactions stretches his left arm out, the ball is almost behind him but he still manages to hold onto it. Great stuff. Rashid gets his third while Keato |
| 57.3 : 57.3: A Rashid to Mendis, FOUR! Great shot by Mendis! It was full and flighted on off, driven beautifully in the gap between mid off and cover and all the way to the fence. |
| 58.1 : 58.1: Ben Stokes to K Mendis, FOUR! Doesn't look too comfortable but nevertheless, it's a boundary. Short and aimed at the hips, just flicked away mid-jump by Mendis to beat fine leg to his left. |
| 60.2 : 60.2: Ben Stokes to Dickwella, OUT! A very soft dismissal. This one is short and going down leg. Dickwella tries to guide it down to fine leg but gets the slightest feather off the bat and the ball carries to Foakes who takes a good low catch. Sri Lanka have lost wickets and undone all of Dhananjaya and Dimuth's good work. England will be looking to go for the kill now. |
| 61.1 : 61.1: A Rashid to K Mendis, OUT! Catching practice being given here. The ball was short and turning away outside off. Kusal looks to guide it down to third man very late but guides it straight into Stokes' hand at slip. Rashid is spinning this game back into England's favor here! That's his fourth. |
| 62.1: Ben Stokes to Perera, OUT! Another one for Big Ben! His third of the innings. Short ball from around the wicket and Perera wants to keep it down but the ball goes off his glove and to Foakes who takes a good diving catch to his right. This ploy of bouncing batsmen out from around the wicket has worked like magic. Sri Lanka eight down and once again, England have somehow clawed their way to a position of strength. |
| 62.5 : 62.5: Ben Stokes to Sandakan, OUT! Comedy of errors by the Lankan tail enders here. Just finding different ways to get out it must be said. This ball is short and outside off, Sandakan drops it with soft hands onto the off side towards mid off. Rashid misfields and then the Lankan batsmen set off for a single but he hits the stumps with a direct throw from mid off. Sri Lanka have completely derailed here! |
| 63.5: A Rashid to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Wrong 'un gone totally wrong. Short and down leg, Pushpakumara pulls it fine through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 64.5: J Leach to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Very good shot! Outside off, Malinda rocks back and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 65.2 : 65.2: A Rashid to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Full and down leg, MP gets low and sweeps it fine towards fine leg for a boundary. |
| 65.5 : 65.5: Rashid to Pushpakumara, OUT! Pitching in line! Three reds and Pushpakumara has to depart. Five-wicket haul for Adil Rashid and also his career best innings figures. Leg spinner on leg, Pushpakumara is back looking flick it but misses. He gets hit on his pads and the visitors appeal. The umpire raises his finger. Sri Lanka opt for the review, since they have two in the bag. Three reds and Sri Lanka are all out for 240. ENGLAND TAKE A LEAD OF 96. |
| 4.1 : 4.1: Perera to Jennings, OUT! Gone first ball! Sri Lanka couldn't have asked for a better start. A drifter from Perera and lands on middle. Jennings is ahead to defend and plays down the wrong line. Gets hit on the pad, and the umpire's finger goes up after a bit of thinking. Keaton considers reviewing but in the end, just continues walking. The replays show that the ball was just clipping leg stump and the decision would've stayed if he had reviewed. |
| 10.1: D Perera to Burns, OUT! Plumb in front and follows suit of his opening partner. The ball is looped up on middle and Burns completely misses his flick to be rapped in front of middle. Doesn't even consider reviewing as he walks off. Second wicket for Perera. The umpire checks for the front foot and is very close but fine. |
| 11.3 : 11.3: M Pushpakumara to J Bairstow, FOUR! This is such good timing from YJB! The ball is full and on middle, flicked away wide of long on for a four as he comes to the pitch of the ball. |
| 12.3: D Perera to J Bairstow, OUT! Dilruwan gets his third! Shorter and on middle, Bairstow looks to flick it away but finds short leg. Kaushal Silva, the substitute fielder takes a smart catch. Jonny who got a beautiful hundred in the first innings walks out cheaply this time! Sri Lanka slowly but surely clawing their way back in the game. Need to keep up the pressure though. England effectively 131/3. |
| 13.6 : 13.6: Pushpakumara to Root, OUT! The previous ball drops short but this one carries surely! Another one bites the dust. This time, it's the skipper. A huge wicket for the hosts. The ball is on middle and straightens after landing. Root closes the face of the bat too early and the ball takes the leading edge back to the bowler. Pushpakumara dives to his left and takes a great catch. England seem to be in a hurry here. From being 99-0, they are now effectively 135-4! We seem to be having a game on |
| 18.5 : 18.5: D Perera to Stokes, FOUR! SHOT! No one out there except the ball boy. Poor ball from Perera, short and on middle. Stokes goes deep and pulls it over mid-wicket to the boundary fence. |
| 19.2 : 19.2: L Sandakan to Stokes, FOUR! Very fine. Loopy ball down the leg side. Stokes sweeps it very fine past the keeper. The outfield is quick and the ball races away to the fine leg boundary. Another boundary for Ben Stokes. |
| 19.5 : 19.5: L Sandakan to Buttler, FOUR! Come down and takes it on the full. Times is beautifully past mid off fielder to the fence. Boundary. |
| 21.4 : 21.4: L Sandakan to Buttler, FOUR! Yet another quick feet powerful flick from Buttler. Takes it on the full and whips this through mid-wicket for a boundary. Takes the lead to 177. |
| 21.5 : 21.5: L Sandakan to Buttler, FOUR! Excellent batting. The pace of Sandakan is allowing Buttler to catch it on the full. Charges down the track and flicks it fine through mid on this time for back-to-back boundaries. |
| 25.3 : 25.3: L Sandakan to Stokes, FOUR! Errs down the leg side, Stokes goes back and flicks it through square leg for another boundary. The 100 is up for England. |
| 31.4 : 31.4: D Perera to Stokes, FOUR! Stokes goes down on one knee and the ball which was flatter and outside off has been smashed away over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 31.5 : 31.5: D Perera to Stokes, OUT! No third time lucky for Stokes! And guess what? Dilruwan has his leg well inside the popping crease on this occasion. The ball was looped up outside off, Stokes comes charging down and wants to go for a maximum over mid on but his connection is poor and the ball goes straight into the fielder's hand. Stokes knew it straight away that he wasn't clearing the fielder. And must be disappointed considering that is an unwanted shot at that stage after getting a four off |
| 35.2 : 35.2: D Perera to M Ali, FOUR! This is a really quick outfield. The full ball outside off takes the thick outside edge as Ali comes ahead to defend. It goes wide of slip and beats backward point to the fence. |
| 44.1 : 44.1: L Sandakan to Buttler, OUT! Brilliant bowling by Sandakan and finally a wicket for him. Sees Buttler charging down the wicket so darts this way down leg. Buttler who comes using his feet so well finally misses one this time. That spun enough for Jos who tried adjusting to it. Dickwella moves to his left and collects it well. Takes off the bails and Buttler who tries to come back knows he is short of the crease. Sri Lanka need to capitalize on this now. |
| 46.2 : 46.2: L Sandakan to M Ali, OUT! Excellent catch! Another one for Sandakan after the break and no overstepping again. Leg spinner outside off, Moeen tries to cut it late but Dhananjaya at first slip dives to his left. Goes in with soft hands to the ball which enables it to stick. The lead is worth 267 now. |
| 54.2: L Sandakan to Foakes, FOUR! A boundary after a long time. A bit short outside off, Foakes rocks back and cuts it through cover-point. No protection there and the ball races away. Just the 10th boundary of the innings. No sixes yet. |
| 54.4 : 54.4: L Sandakan to A Rashid, FOUR! SHOT! Elegance. Full, almost a half volley around off, Rashid creams it through covers for a great boundary. |
| 60.6 : 60.6: M Pushpakumara to Rashid,OUT! The on field decision will have to be overturned. Finally a good review for Sri Lanka. The ball was outside leg and turns away from Rashid who cleared his front leg and comes ahead to defend. The ball bounces more and grazes his glove on the way to the keeper. It is a smart catch from Dickwella. Eighth one down for England. They are now effectively 311-8. The funny part in this review was that Dickwella didn't look like he had much of a say. The slip fielder t |
| 62.4 : 62.4: M Pushpakumara to Broad, OUT! One to go now. Muted celebrations among the Lankans. Comes around the wicket, Broad plays ahead to this one and gets an inside edge that goes into the waiting arms of Kusal Mendis at short leg. This match has been about close-in catching. England are 313 ahead now. |
| 69.5 : 69.5: D Perera to Leach, OUT! Finally, the England innings comes to an end. Dilruwan Perera gets his 5th wicket. The eighth time he has achieved the feat in Test matches. Also his 100th wicket in home Tests. Flatter ball around off, Leach goes back to play it with a straight bat but gets an outside edge back to the keeper. Dickwella takes a good catch. SO, England are ALL OUT FOR 230. |
| 1.4 : 1.4: M Ali to Karunaratne, FOUR! Full toss outside off, Dimuth comes down the track and cover drives it for four runs. The hard new ball runs away quickly to the fence. Off the mark with four! |
| 5.5 : 5.5: M Ali to Gunathilaka, OUT! There goes the first one. Regulation off spinner dismissal that. Pitched on middle and off, it goes away from Karunaratne who feels for it. Gets a genuine outside edge which goes at a good height to Stokes at slip. Takes a good catch. First one for Moeen and Sri Lanka need another 312 runs. |
| 7.4 : 7.4: M Ali to Karunaratne, FOUR! Lose ball outside off, Karunaratne picks his spot and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 8.3 : 8.3: Leach to Silva, OUT! Great review! Excellent use of the review. Pitched around leg, coming into the right-hander. He looks to block it but gets rapped on the pads. England appeal but the umpire stays put. After a long chat, Root signals a 'T'. Replays roll in and says that the ball straightened enough. Three reds and de Silva is out of here. England rejoice as they watch it on the giant screen. |
| 10.3: J Leach to D Karunaratne, FOUR! Flatter ball on middle, Dimuth goes back and pulls this with disdain through square leg for a boundary. |
| 11.6 : 11.6: M Ali to Karunaratne, OUT! Bowled 'em! This one has gone right through the gate and hits the middle and off stump. The batsman who has been holding Sri Lanka's batting together all series long is gone now. In deep, deep trouble. The ball was a drifter landing just outside off and comes in with the angle and goes in the space between bat and pad. England need 7 more wickets to win now. |
| 12.5 : 12.5: Ben Stokes to Mendis, FOUR! Another banged in ball from Stokes. Kusal goes for the hook but gets a top edge over the keeper's head for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : 12.6: Ben Stokes to Mendis, FOUR! Shot! Back of a length ball on off, Kusal punches the ball through covers for back-to-back boundaries. |
| 16.1 : 16.1: Ben Stokes to Mathews, OUT! It is clean and Mathews has to walk back. The short ball ploy from Stokes has worked. But this is some poor batting from the experienced Mathews. Ben digs it short outside off, Mathews for some reason goes for the pull instead of leaving it alone. Can't connect it well and the ball goes towards mid-wicket where Broad runs in and takes a very good catch. The umpires check for the catch and it is a clean one. Angelo falls right in the trap and England are making t |
| 19.2 : 19.2: M Ali to Mendis, SIX! Lose ball and put away. Full toss outside off, Mendis eyes light up and slaps it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Big chance for this lad today to get some runs under |
| 21.6 : 21.6: M Ali to Mendis, FOUR! Short and easily pulled away for four by Kusal. Rocks back and finds the gap towards square leg. |
| 23.4 : 23.4: M Ali to Sandakan, FOUR! Full toss outside off, Lakshan gets it on the middle of the bat and finds the gap through the covers for a boundary. Nightwatchman doing pretty well so far. |
| 26.6 : 26.6: J Leach to L Sandakan, OUT! At last, England have the wicket of the pesky nightwatchman. Sandakan's vigil comes to an end. This was always coming. The ball is looped up on middle and turns away after landing. Sandakan who is well ahead to defend, gets the outside edge and Stokes takes a simple catch at slip. England don't celebrate too much, looks like they mean business and want to finish this off quickly. This is now the 9th catch in the series for Stokes, his second best effort. He has |
| 27.2 : 27.2: A Rashid to K Mendis, FOUR! This was a shorter ball outside off, Mendis is very quick onto the back foot and pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Very good shot from the right-hander. |
| 29.5 : 29.5: A Rashid to Mendis, FOUR! 49 now for Mendis! This ball is full and Kusal comes down the track and pushes it in the air and towards the long on fence. Good shot! |
| 33.6 : 33.6: A Rashid to Silva, FOUR! This is overpitched outside leg. Roshen doesn't let the ball rise as he sweeps it very fine on the leg side and all along the ground to the fence. |
| 35.4 : 35.4: A Rashid to R Silva, This is a poor follow up delivery! Short and pulled away wide of mid on for four runs. Roshen Silva will be hoping for more of these. |
| 42.3 : 42.3: Ben Stokes to Silva, FOUR! Full and on off, Roshen gets to the pitch of it and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 45.1 : 45.1: J Leach to Mendis, FOUR! Beautifully placed behind square leg by Mendis. Moves into the 70s now! Shorter on middle, Mendis rocks back and pulls this away in slow motion for a four. |
| 47.1: M Ali to Silva, FOUR! Good shot. Tossed up on off, Silva plays a reverse sweep through third man for a boundary. |
| 47.4 : 47.4: M Ali to Mendis, FOUR! Poor delivery from Moeen Ali. Short on middle, Mendis pulls it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 51.3 : 51.3: A Rashid to Mendis, FOUR! Full toss and put away this time. Mendis comes down on one knee and swipes it away wide of deep mid-wicket and to the fence. Sri Lanka 151 away now. |
| 57.4 : 57.4: A Rashid to Mendis, OUT! Run-out! Absolutely unnecessary and fatal from the Sri Lankan batsmen. What a splendid throw from Jack Leach. He bowls left handed, and throws right handed. Bullet throw from deep square leg and hits the stumps directly to find Mendis short of his crease. Third time unlucky for Mendis. The ball was a wrong 'un and worked away off the pads by Silva to deep square leg. Mendis is slow on the first run and also slightly slips at the striker's end while turning for the |
| 64.4: M Ali to Dickwella, FOUR! Reverse sweep! Full on middle, Dickwella reverse sweeps it over the slip fielder for a boundary. |
| 65.1 : 65.1: J Leach to Dickwella, FOUR! SHOT! Steps out of his crease and smokes this over the bowler's head for a one-bounce boundary. |
| 65.2 : 65.2: J Leach to Dickwella, OUT! The bowling change has worked. Jack Leach gets his wicket and the counter-attacking Dickwella has to go. Bowls this flatter on the off. Dickwella looks to tuck it away but gets it off his glove towards backward short leg. Who else but Jennings dives forward and takes a good catch. Dickwella walks and that takes the spinners tally to 97 wickets in this series. England need 3 more wickets to win this game. |
| 68.4 : 68.4: M Ali to Perera, FOUR! Nicely done! Full and on off, Perera comes out and lofts it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 72.3 : 72.3: M Ali to D Perera, OUT! England need 2 more! Another catch for Jennings at short leg, his eigth in this series. Short ball on middle and turns inward, takes the inside edge and goes to short leg off the thigh pad. Jennings is going down but holds on to the catch rolling towards his right. He is having a great Test in the field. Dilruwan couldn't do much about this, caught on the back foot and nothing else to do. Sri Lanka seems to have again brought the hopes of their fans up and going dow |
| 74.1 : 74.1: M Ali to Silva, OUT! YES! Bat first! England get another review right! Excellent use of the technology. A bit short around off, spins back in. Roshen tries making room and cutting it. It goes to the off sided. England appeal as they think it is pad first. Root asks Moeen and he nods his head. They take it up. Replay shows us that it was pad first and Ball Tracker shows us three reds. Roshen departs after a well played innings but the end is neigh for them now. |
| 74.2 : 74.2: M Ali to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Flighted outside off, Malinda puts his foot ahead and gets a thick outside edge for four towards deep backward point. |
| 75.5 : 75.5: J Leach to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Full and down leg, Pushpakumara swipes it fine through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 77.2 : 77.2: J Leach to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Down leg, Pushpakumara gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 77.3 : 77.3: J Leach to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Lovely! Short ball outside off, Malinda cuts it late through backward point for back-to-back boundaries. |
| 77.4 : 77.4: J Leach to Pushpakumara, SIX! Best of the lot! 14 runs of three balls. Comes down the track and lofts this over the bowler's head for a huge hit. Having fun out there. |
| 81.3 : 81.3: A Rashid to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Shot! 39 partnership up and Sri Lanka need 62 more runs. Charges down the wicket and lofts this past the left hand of Rashid for a boundary. |
| 84.1 : 84.1: M Ali to Lakmal, FOUR! Terrific shot! Short ball outside off, Lakmal rocks back and cuts it through backward point for a boundary. Partnership worth 49 now. |
| 84.4 : 84.4: M Ali to Pushpakumara, FOUR! Another boundary to Pushpakumara and under 50 needed now for a win. This is getting close. Down the leg side, Malinda sweeps it fine through the leg side for a boundary. |
| 86.4: Leach to Lakmal, OUT! England have done it! It's clipping the leg pole and the umpire's call stays! England win by 42 runs and whitewash Sri Lanka 3-0, an achievement for them outside home after 56 long years. This one is flatter and on middle and off. Lakmal misses the forward defense and gets hit low on the pads. They appeal and the umpire raises his finger after thinking for a while. Lakmal has no other option but to opt for the DRS. The ball is sliding down but Ball Tracker feels that |
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