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Joe Root. (Getty Images)
Root's England are in a position where they are favourites to sweep the three-Test series against Sri Lanka when they face each other at the SSC in Colombo starting Friday (November 23).
There's no doubt Sri Lanka is a team on the decline, but it's still a monumental effort from England to have won the series with a game to spare. For all their troubles, Sri Lanka are still a dangerous side at home. Ask South Africa, who were thrashed 2-0 as recently as July. For England to have put away their troubles in this part of the world and take the series is a massive achievement, especially in times where teams struggle abroad.
As is often the case in such feats, the result was possible because England have found multiple heroes. Ben Foakes and Keaton Jennings scored centuries in the first Test. Joe Root made a sparkling ton in the next. Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Ben Stokes have managed half-centuries, chipping in with crucial contributions when needed.
The spinners have stepped up too. Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and left-arm spinner Jack Leach have done bulk of the work, out-bowling their Sri Lankan counterparts. James Anderson managed only one wicket from four innings and will be rotated out for Stuart Broad, while the injured Sam Curran will make way for Jonny Bairstow, who will bat at No. 3.
Sri Lanka's Chandika Hathurusingha remained positive saying both matches were close. England won the two games by 211 and 57 runs respectively, but there were multiple moments when the game was in the balance. Sri Lanka lost all those moments, allowing England's lower order to take the game away.
Sri Lanka will continue to miss Dinesh Chandimal, who picked up a groin injury in the first Test. They will also be missing Akila Dananjaya, who has to travel to Australia to test his action. Lakshan Sandakan is likely to replace him in the XI.
While England have three centurions, Sri Lanka have none. Angelo Mathews has been the man in form with three half-centuries. Roshan Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dananjaya de Silva too have scored fifties but Sri Lanka need to do a lot better to avoid the embarrassment of a 0-3 sweep.
The bowlers have done a fair job but will have to find ways of breaking lower order resistance; it helps that they won't have to bowl at Curran. If they can do that, Sri Lanka can salvage some pride. Whatever happens in the Test, though, England will return home a proud bunch.
Teams:
England (XI): Joe Burns, Keaton Jennings, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Roshen Silva, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Malinda Pushpakumara, Suranga Lakmal(c), Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha, Dilruwan Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Nishan Peiris, Danushka Gunathilaka.
Commentary (England innings)
21.3 L Sandakan to Bairstow, 1 run. 81/2
21.2 L Sandakan to Bairstow, On off, Bairstow gets an inside edge onto his pads to the off side. 80/2
21.1 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Leg spinner on middle, flicked but straight to mid-wicket. 80/2
20.6 M Pushpakumara to Root, Looped up just outside off, Root prods ahead and dead bats it. 80/2
20.5 M Pushpakumara to Root, Full and on off stump, Root defends it on the front foot. 80/2
20.4 M Pushpakumara to Root, Overpitched on middle, Root drives it to mid on. 80/2
20.3 M Pushpakumara to Root, Flighted on off, Root is well ahead in defense. 80/2
20.2 M Pushpakumara to Root, Flatter and darted in outside off, Root opens the face of his bat and runs it down to third man for a couple. 80/2
20.1 M Pushpakumara to Root, Full and on off stump, Root keeps it out on the front foot. 78/2
19.6 L Sandakan to Bairstow, On off, kept out. 78/2
19.5 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Leg spinners down leg again. Root misses his flick and Dickwella collects it. 78/2
19.4 L Sandakan to Root, Down the leg side. Root looks to help it on its way fine. It goes towards short fine leg where they cross. The umpire signals byes. 78/2
19.3 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Kept low. Outside off, Bairstow rocks back and somehow manages to get bat to it. Hits it past point for one. 77/2
19.2 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Leg spinner down leg, Jonny is ahead to whip it away but cannot connect well. 76/2
19.1 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Loopy ball around off, Bairstow keeps it out. 76/2
The players and the umpires are ready to take the field. Time for live action. Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings will open the batting for England while Suranga Lakmal will open the bowling for the Lankans. Three slips and a gully in place for Lakmal.
PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says its a very hot day and there could be some rain in the evening. He also feels that the boundary sizes are bigger. Adds that the pitch looks dry and his companion, Brad Hogg feels that the wicket already looks like a Day 3 wicket and there are patches in the middle that could crack wide open. Russel then goes on to add that it's a lot more drier than the previous pitches and should spin more. Nevertheless, he also says that the batsmen can score runs if they adapt and apply themselves and put in a mindset to not only survive but also find a way to score runs.
TEAM NEWS - Sri Lanka bring in Danushka Gunathilaka and Lakshan Sandakan in place of Kaushal Silva and Akila Dananjaya. England have got in Johnny Bairstow and Stuart Broad in place of Sam Curran and James Anderson.
TOSS - England have won the toss and opted to bat first.
Welcome to the third and final Test between Sri Lanka and England. This tour has been a mauling of sorts for the hosts. Sri Lanka have been forced to make a minimum of two changes due to the injury to Dinesh Chandimal and Akila Dananjaya being reported for a suspect action. England have already announced their playing XI as they give a game to Jonny Bairstow and Stuart Broad. Hopefully the rain stays away and we have an uninterrupted game. The hosts will look to go out, express themselves and have fun in the middle as the series is already gone, whereas, England will look to clean sweep a Test series away from home. Can the Islanders put up a fight and salvage some pride in the final game?
18.6 M Pushpakumara to Root, Drifting back in, Root is watchful as he blocks it with a straight bat. 76/2
18.5 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single. 76/2
18.4 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Around off, Jonny looks to drive it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. 75/2
18.3 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Beautifully bowled. Off spinner on middle and leg, Bairstow closes the bat face a bit early. Some extra bounce and turn and it almost kisses the outside edge of Jonny's bat. Dickwella collects it but does not appeal. 75/2
18.2 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, On off, Bairstow places it near the 22 yards. 75/2
18.1 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Tossed up ball in line of the stumps, Bairstow taps it in front of him. 75/2
17.6 L Sandakan to Root, On middle and off, Root drops it just short of the short leg fielder. 75/2
17.5 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Flatter ball on middle and leg, Bairstow punches the ball through mid on for one. 75/2
17.4 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Darts this quicker in line. Jonny is solid in his defense. 74/2
17.3 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Errs down leg, Bairstow still goes to sweep it. Gets it off his glove towards the on side. 74/2
17.2 L Sandakan to Root, Better. Makes Root goes goes his back foot by bowling it a bit quick and slightly short. Root pushes it to long on for one. 74/2
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. 73/2
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. 69/2
16.5 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, JB has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 63/2
16.4 M Pushpakumara to Root, Outside off, driven past mid off for a single. 63/2
16.3 M Pushpakumara to Root, Another appeal from Dickwella. Darts this on leg. Root misses his flick and gets hit on the legs. The bowler straightaway says that it was going down leg. 62/2
16.2 M Pushpakumara to J Bairstow, Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single. 62/2
16.1 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Tossed up ball outside off, kept out to the off side. 61/2
15.6 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Outside off, swept with disdain to deep square leg. Just one but 12 from the over. 61/2
15.5 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Loopy ball on middle, this time Bairstow pays his respect. 60/2
15.4 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Brings out the swipe again. Behind square for a brace as the fielder in the deep mops it up. 60/2
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. 58/2
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. 54/2
15.1 L Sandakan to Root, Down leg, turned away to the on side for one. 50 up for the visitors. 50/2
14.6 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Around off, Bairstow blocks it out. 49/2
14.5 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, NOT OUT! Waste of a review from Sri Lanka. Perhaps Lakmal was put under pressure from the close-in fielders and took it up. Loopy ball on off, Bairstow is ahead to block it out. He misses but there is a noise as Dickwella collects it. He appeals but the umpire stays put. Sri Lanka take the review. Replays show us that there is a huge gap between bat and pad. The third umpire then doesn't check for LBW as the spike is from the bat touching the ground and not the body. Sri Lanka lose a review. 49/2
Review time! Sri Lanka think they have got Bairstow caught behind. Let's see.
14.4 M Pushpakumara to Root, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. 49/2
14.3 M Pushpakumara to Root, On off, kept out. 48/2
14.2 M Pushpakumara to Root, Gets behind the ball and blocks it out. 48/2
14.1 M Pushpakumara to Root, Covers his stumps and bunts this down. 48/2
13.6 L Sandakan to Bairstow, A long appeal. Tossed up ball on off. Bairstow is forward to defend but misses his block. Sri Lanka appeal but do not opt for the review. Impact outside the line there. 48/2
13.5 L Sandakan to Root, Joe works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 48/2
13.4 L Sandakan to Root, CHANCE! Stumping chance goes abegging here. Lovely loopy ball outside off. It spins back in. Root is forward to whip it away but gets beaten by the turn. The ball just spins past leg stump and Dickwella cannot collect the ball. The ball rolls towards fine leg where the batsmen take two byes. 47/2
13.3 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Loopy ball on off, Jonny shuffles and milks it through mid-wicket for a run. 45/2
13.2 L Sandakan to Root, Outside off, cut to deep backward point. They jog to complete the run. 44/2
13.1 L Sandakan to Root, A bit on the shorter side on middle, Root punches it towards mid on. 43/2
12.6 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Tossed up ball around off, Bairstow is solid in his defense. 43/2
12.5 M Pushpakumara to Root, Smart batting this. Field change so he just nudged the ball around the corner to get off strike. 43/2
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. 42/2
12.3 M Pushpakumara to Root, Another ball given air on middle and leg. Root is happy to block it out. 38/2
12.2 M Pushpakumara to Root, Arm ball on the pads of Root who stonewalls it. 38/2
12.1 M Pushpakumara to Root, Loopy ball around off, hit back towards the bowler. 38/2
It's time for the first Drinks break of the match. What an engrossing first hour of play! Sri Lanka will definitely be happy with the two wickets but will have to keep up the pressure and not let England off the noose. The ball is gripping and turning as expected. Batting should be tough but not impossible. Root and Bairstow will have a short term target of not losing their wickets at least till Lunch.
11.6 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Flatter ball on off, the batsman is on the back foot and punches this one back to the bowler. 38/2
11.5 L Sandakan to J Bairstow, Fuller and outside off, driven to mid off. 38/2
11.4 L Sandakan to Root, Shorter and outside off, enough time for Root to go back and punch it away to deep point for a single. 38/2
11.3 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Full toss on middle, swept away for a single by JB. 37/2
11.2 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Good ball! This one is flighted outside off and turns in a long way. Bairstow comes ahead to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. No risk though as the ball just drops down away from any fielder. 36/2
11.1 L Sandakan to Bairstow, Starts off around the wicket and flatter on the pads. Bairstow works it away on the back foot but short leg is in the way. 36/2
Lakshan Sandakan to roll his arm.
10.6 M Pushpakumara to Root, Full and on off, kept out by Root who is half-ahead. 36/2
Joe Root is the new man in.
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 dressing room. Good start for Pushpakumara, wicket in his first over. 36/2
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. 36/1
10.3 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Fuller and on off again, Bairstow drives to long off for a run. 32/1
10.2 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Beautiful loop and on off, Bairstow is well ahead and defends solidly. 31/1
10.1 M Pushpakumara to Bairstow, Flighted outside off and a bit of turn, Bairstow lets it go. 31/1
Malinda Pushpakumara is the first bowling change this morning.
9.6 D Perera to Jennings, Slightly fuller this time, Jennings defends on the front foot. 31/1
9.5 D Perera to Jennings, Another reverse sweep to a full one on middle, but straight to the fielder. 31/1
9.4 D Perera to Bairstow, Shorter and outside off, Bairstow rocks back and punches it away in the gap to the left of cover. The ball is just stopped inside the fance, the batsmen come back for three though. 31/1
9.3 D Perera to Jennings, Flatter ball outside off, Jennings pushes it in the gap towards cover-point. Good fielding there as the fielder dives to stop this one but it doesn't prevent the single. 28/1
9.2 D Perera to Jennings, Faster and fuller this time on middle, Jennings connects the reverse sweep much better this time but straight to backward point. 27/1
9.1 D Perera to Jennings, Looped up outside off, Jennings goes for the reverse sweep but the ball comes off the inside part of the bat and bounces before going to gully. 27/1
8.6 S Lakmal to Bairstow, Good ball to end the over. On length and off stump, but Johnny has the line covered as he defends. 27/1
8.5 S Lakmal to Bairstow, Slightly fuller and on middle, pushed away to mid on. 27/1
8.4 S Lakmal to Bairstow, Three slips and a gully to the right-hander. Starts off with a good length ball just on top of off stump, Bairstow comes ahead as he defends. 27/1
8.3 S Lakmal to Jennings, On the hips of Keaton who tucks it away to the on side and sets off for a quick. Puts the fielder on pressure and completes the run eventually. 27/1
8.2 S Lakmal to Jennings, Back of a length this time, once again outside off. Jennings is not enticed to play at it. 26/1
8.1 S Lakmal to Jennings, On a good length outside off, Jennings points his bat skywards and leaves it alone. 26/1
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. 26/1
Jonny Bairstow is in at no. 3.
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. 22/1
7.4 D Perera to Burns, Looped up on middle, Burns is ahead and drives to mid on. 22/0
7.3 D Perera to Jennings, Flatter and darted in on middle, Jennings is on the back foot to punch it to deep point for a single. 22/0
7.2 D Perera to Jennings, Outside off, pushed to cover. 21/0
7.1 D Perera to Jennings, Full and flighted so much so that its almost yorker length, Jennings digs it out toward short mid-wicket. 21/0
6.6 S Lakmal to Burns, Slightly short of a length to end the over. Burns stands tall and defends it into the ground. 21/0
6.5 S Lakmal to Burns, Outside off and short of a good length, Burns defends away from his body toward gully. 21/0
6.4 S Lakmal to Burns, This one is short of length and jags in after landing. Burns is cramped for space and gets an inside edge onto his thigh pad and the ball just goes above his stumps and behind to the keeper. 21/0
6.3 S Lakmal to Burns, Fuller and on middle and off, Burns is on his front foot and drives it to mid on. 21/0
6.2 S Lakmal to Burns, Good length ball on off, that ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads, rolling towards cover. 21/0
6.1 S Lakmal to Burns, Shorter on length and outside off, Burns punches it off the back foot to point but no run taken. 21/0
5.6 D Perera to R Burns, Shorter ball outside off, Burns rocks back and cuts it to deep point. Picks up a single to keep strike. 21/0
5.5 D Perera to Burns, Shorter in length and on middle, Burns goes back and jabs it toward mid on. 20/0
5.4 D Perera to Burns, Full and on middle, Burns covers the line and defends it. 20/0
5.3 D Perera to Jennings, Jennings is unsure of his footwork here, comes forward and tries to flick a full one on the leg side but gets a leading edge that flies wide of slip and to the right of backward point. The batsmen run one. 20/0
5.2 D Perera to Jennings, BEATEN! This one had Jennings all squared up. Lands on off and straightens a tad bit. Jennings plays the wrong line and is lucky that the ball did not take out his off stump. So close! 19/0
5.1 D Perera to Jennings, Flatter ball on off, Jennings prods ahead to defend this one. 19/0
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. 19/0
4.5 S Lakmal to Burns, Shortens the length a tad bit, Burns remains on his back foot and defends it into the ground. 15/0
4.4 S Lakmal to Burns, Length ball outside off, Burns takes a step ahead and defends it straight back to the bowler. 15/0
4.3 S Lakmal to Burns, This is a much better over from Lakmal. This ball is on a good length and Burns comes forward to push it onto the off side but the ball takes his inside edge and onto his pads. 15/0
4.2 S Lakmal to Burns, Short of a good length and on middle, Burns shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 15/0
4.1 S Lakmal to Burns,Bouncer on middle, really carried through beautifully above the batsman's head as Dickwella had to jump to catch this one. Sri Lankans go up for an appeal but Burns was nowhere close to the ball with his attempted pull. 15/0
3.6 D Perera to Jennings, Fuller and on middle, Keaton comes ahead and keeps it out. 15/0
3.5 D Perera to Burns, Shorter outside off, Burns cuts it away in the gap toward cover-point for a single. 15/0
3.4 D Perera to Burns, Flatter delivery on off, defended off the front foot by Burns presenting the full face of the bat. 14/0
3.3 D Perera to Burns, Short and slower outside off, spins away and Burns looks to cut away but the ball is too far away from him to get a good connection. Just able to get it away to point in the end. 14/0
3.2 D Perera to Jennings, Flatter delivery at the pads, Jennings stays back in the crease and works it behind square leg for a run. 14/0
3.1 D Perera to Jennings, Flighted ball on middle, kept out on the front foot. 13/0
2.6 S Lakmal to Jennings, Good ball on length and coming in with the angle, Jennings pushes toward mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single. 13/0
2.5 S Lakmal to Burns, Wayward bowling here, Lakmal drifts onto the pads again. Burns plays it to Pushpakumara at fine leg. Just a single though. 12/0
2.5 S Lakmal to Burns, No Ball. Lakmal oversteps. The ball is on length and outside off, defended watchfully by Burns. 11/0
2.4 S Lakmal to Burns, Around the wicket and angling in toward the off pole, Burns defends it toward short cover. 10/0
2.3 S Lakmal to Burns, Length ball at the pads, Burns plays this off the back foot toward short mid-wicket. 10/0
2.2 S Lakmal to Burns, Full and at the pads again, Burns flicks it away but can't find the gap this time. 10/0
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. 10/0
1.6 D Perera to Burns, Flatter and darted in outside off, Burns cuts it to point but Pushpakumara misfields and the batsmen run three as the ball is stopped just inside the fence. 6/0
1.5 D Perera to Burns, Flighted but drifting onto the pads, Burns plays it to square leg. 3/0
1.4 D Perera to K Jennings, Looped up on middle and off and takes the edge this time, but flies wide of slip towards short third man. The batsmen run one. 3/0
1.3 D Perera to Jennings, First runs of the morning, Jennings paddles this on middle and leg towards fine leg and picks up a couple. 2/0
1.2 D Perera to Jennings, Looped up on middle, Jennings comes ahead to defend. 0/0
1.1 D Perera to Jennings, Begins with a flatter and quicker one on off, Jennings cuts it to point. 0/0
Dilruwan Perera to bowl from the other end.
0.6 S Lakmal to Burns, Starts off with a maiden over as Burns lets this go outside off again. 0/0
0.5 S Lakmal to Burns, Slightly short of a length and outside off, Burns shoulders his arm to it at the last moment. 0/0
0.4 S Lakmal to Burns, Good length outside off, Burns chooses to leave this one. 0/0
0.3 S Lakmal to Burns, On length and on top of off stump, Burns defends with a straight bat. 0/0
0.2 S Lakmal to Burns, Length ball on middle, Burns stays inside his crease and keeps it out. 0/0
0.1 S Lakmal to Burns, Starts off with a slightly fuller delivery outside off. Defended coming half-ahead by Burns. 0/0
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