Sri Lanka’s historic Test cricket fortress in Galle was in danger by the end of the second day’s play on Friday (15), as England had laboured, on the back of a resilient Joe Root century (168 not out), as if to show a classic example on “how to bat in a Test match”, at the Galle International Stadium.
The place is considered the islanders’ strongest bastion of Test cricket where they have maintained a phenomenal record through two decades. Now, already 185 runs behind England in the first innings, the Lankans are facing possible defeat even before at least three days to go in the match.
Captain Root scored his 18th Test hundred and put on a 173-run stand with debutant Dan Lawrence (73) helping England post a daunting 320/4 by stumps on Friday.
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Joe Root had almost taken away the game from the hosts by Friday (15), with an ideal Test hundred, to challenge the islanders at their strongest cricketing bastion[/caption]
SCORECARD
Sri Lanka first innings 135 all out in 46.1 overs
England first innings (overnight 127/2)
Zak Crawley c Hasaranga b Embuldeniya 9
Dom Sibley c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 4
Jonny Bairstow c Mendis b Embuldeniya 47
Joe Root not out 168
Dan Lawrence c Mendis b Perera 73
Jos Buttler (wk) not out 7
Did not bat: Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, and Stuart Broad
Extras: (nb 5, b 7) 12
Total: (for 4 wickets in 94 overs) 320
Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Sibley, 4.2 ov) , 2-17 (Crawley, 8.4 ov) , 3-131 (Bairstow, 42.2 ov) , 4-304 (Lawrence, 85.3 ov)
Bowling: Lasith Embuldeniya 38-4-131-3 (1nb), Asitha Fernando 8-0-21-0, Wanindu Hasaranga 15-1-63-0 (2nb), Dilruwan Perera 28-2-82-1 (2nb), Dasun Shanaka 5-1-16-0
Pic caption:
Photo by SLC
Joe Root had almost taken away the game from the hosts by Friday (15), with an ideal Test hundred, to challenge the islanders at their strongest cricketing bastion[/caption]
SCORECARD
Sri Lanka first innings 135 all out in 46.1 overs
England first innings (overnight 127/2)
Zak Crawley c Hasaranga b Embuldeniya 9
Dom Sibley c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 4
Jonny Bairstow c Mendis b Embuldeniya 47
Joe Root not out 168
Dan Lawrence c Mendis b Perera 73
Jos Buttler (wk) not out 7
Did not bat: Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, and Stuart Broad
Extras: (nb 5, b 7) 12
Total: (for 4 wickets in 94 overs) 320
Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Sibley, 4.2 ov) , 2-17 (Crawley, 8.4 ov) , 3-131 (Bairstow, 42.2 ov) , 4-304 (Lawrence, 85.3 ov)
Bowling: Lasith Embuldeniya 38-4-131-3 (1nb), Asitha Fernando 8-0-21-0, Wanindu Hasaranga 15-1-63-0 (2nb), Dilruwan Perera 28-2-82-1 (2nb), Dasun Shanaka 5-1-16-0
Pic caption:
Photo by SLC