England vs Sri Lanka: Joe Root Closes In On Double-ton As England Dominate Sri Lanka

Joe Root’s masterful unbeaten 168 has put England in firm control of the first test against Sri Lanka as they reached 320 for four at tea on the second day, a first innings lead of 185 over their struggling hosts.It has been by no means plain sailing on a pitch with prodigious turn, but Root’s skill in scoring all around the wicket secured him an 18th test century, and third against Sri Lanka, and he will continue in the final session with Jos Buttler (7 not out).

Also read:English Cricket Fan Waits 10 Months For Sri Lanka Test - And Gets Kicked Out

Sri Lanka will rue a number of missed opportunities offered by the batsmen, having been unable to take advantage of the assistance being offered by the wicket. Root, whose score is the highest for England in Sri Lanka, already has one double-century against the Asian side after scoring 200 not out at Lords in 2014.

It is one of three he has to date and he will be eyeing another.

He put on a superb fourth wicket stand of 173 with debutant Dan Lawrence, who attacked the bowling in an attractive innings of 73. Lawrence was out as he fended at a delivery that reared off a length from spinner Dilruwan Perera and was caught by Kusal Mendis at short-leg.

Also read: Experts Slam Sri Lanka, Fans Troll Kusal Mendis After Fourth Straight Test Duck

After the first 70 minutes of the day were lost to rain, the tourists resumed on their overnight 127 for two but Jonny Bairstow was out before he could add to his score of 47. He prodded forward to a delivery from left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya (3-131) and was snapped up at slip by Mendis. That ended a stand of 114 for the third wicket.

England’s lead already looks daunting, especially after the hapless display from the hosts on day one when they were skittled out for 135 after electing to bat first. Spinner Dom Bess took career best figures of 5-30, aided by some desperately poor strokes from the hosts, and will be even more of a handful in the second innings as Sri Lanka chase down what is likely to be a massive deficit.

• cricket
• cricket news
• Eng v SL
• eng vs sl
• England vs Sri Lanka
• England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test
• Sri Lanka vs England