Sri Lanka fight back after Root makes 228 on day three

Even with a much-improved batting display from Sri Lanka, Joe Root’s double-hundred has England well-poised for victory as the hosts still need 130 runs to make England bat again.

Summary

Root makes fourth career double hundred
A hundred run first-wicket partnership leads Sri Lanka to 156-2 at close.
England’s spin attack struggle on day three.

Root makes 228.

Root’s double-hundred was a procession, sweeping Sri Lanka’s tired attack all-around Galle once more, as England posted 421 all-out and a lead of 286 by lunch on day three.

Joe Root makes his fourth career double-hundred, on the third day, in Galle. (Credits England Cricket)

A hard sweep through mid-wicket brought up Root’s double-century as the England skipper dominated for the third consecutive day

With 18 fours and a six over mid-on, after skipping down the track, Root’s knock was as stylish as ever.

228 – Joe Root's 228 was the 2nd highest Test innings score recorded by an @englandcricket batsman in Asia (Sir Alastair Cook's 263 v Pakistan in UAE, 2015). Brilliance. #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/1gmsMepMxt

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) January 16, 2021

Despite Root’s magic, there was little support at the other end, as 6 wickets fell for just 49 runs.

First, two in one over as Jos Buttler (30) was caught off the bowling of Asitha Fernando, before Sam Curran was bowled by a piercing in swinger for a golden duck.

Next, Dom Bess was run out without troubling the scorers as Jack Leach and Mark Wood fell quickly of the bowling of Dilruwan Perera.

Then, after a brief cameo from Stuart Broad (11*), Root was eventually the last man out– caught Kusal Mendis off D Perera– after coming down the wicket and launching the ball towards mid-wicket.

For Sri Lanka, Lasith Embuldeniya (3-176) and D Perera (4-109) were the pick of much improved bowling unit.

Sri Lanka fight back as England toil away

Despite slumping to 135 all out on day one, Sri Lanka showed a renewed application as they frustrated England’s bowlers to amass 156-2 at the close of play.

Anchored by Lahiru Thirimanne, who finished the day on 76*, Sri Lanka registered a hundred first-wicket partnership – the highest by a Test side against England, for almost three years.

It's been a disciplined innings from Thirimanne. Only 36% of his runs have come through the off-side, including just one of his boundaries. Generally, the balls he has put away for four have been straight on his pads or when England have erred down the leg-side. #SLvEng pic.twitter.com/OhS3RNbFfE

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 16, 2021

The Sri Lankan opener was watchful as he batted through 61 overs to make his highest test score in eight years. Troubled, just once – as regulation catch at gully was shelled by Dom Sibley, shortly after Thirimanne passed fifty.

At the other end, Kusal Mendis hit 15 after a horrific run that had seen the out-of-form batsmen register four consecutive ducks. His time at the crease didn’t last too long, however, as Leach had the Sri Lankan No.3 caught by Buttler, who looked comfortable behind the stumps in testing conditions.

Clearly, it was a tough day for the English seamers who toiled away in heat and humidity of Galle for little reward.

Sam Curran, the only seamer to pick up a wicket, had Perera caught – but the Surrey youngster will be the first to admit a wide long-hop smashed to deep point was hardly intentional.

He just makes things happen ?

Scorecard: https://t.co/awwR0kldEx #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/BUHnRGX89X

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 16, 2021

Sure enough, a lack of control from the spinners will disappoint Root as Bess and Leach were sloppy, registering just four maidens in 33 overs . In fact, it was arguably the skipper who looked the most dangerous spinner with ball in hand.

Looking further afield, the lack of discipline and the ease at which Sri Lanka were able to rotate the strike against spin is a slight concern with six tests in the sub-continent still to come.

Despite this, England are still in control in Galle. Sri Lanka need 130 runs to make England bat again, with England searching for eight wickets to take an innings victory on day four.

Moeen out of quarantine.

On a frustrating day for England there was some good news as Moeen Ali, who tested positive for coronavirus upon arrival in Sri Lanka and has spent almost two weeks in isolation since, was released from quarantine.

Back with the lads ?

Great to see Mo watching at the ground today!

Scorecard: https://t.co/awwR0kldEx #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/uRPfR9nTmY

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 16, 2021

Despite it being unlikely that the all-rounder will feature in this series, Ali’s return is a huge boost ahead of a five match tour in India. Go well, Mo.