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Joe Root taught a lesson as dogged Sri Lankan tail frustrates England with first innings lead
Sri Lanka all out for 336, having built a lead of 46 runs
If England go on to lose this Test match, after conceding a first innings lead of 46, and fail to record a rare series victory in Asia, the system will be to blame as much as any individuals.
Joe Root was appointed England’s Test captain when the leadership experience listed on his CV was limited to a handful of games for Yorkshire since school. It is idle therefore to compare him as a captain with the vast majority of his predecessors - the generations that ended with Graham Gooch - who saw it all, and cut every tooth in county cricket, before becoming England’s captain.
Had contemporary county cricket offered a broader range of conditions, Root would also have been better qualified to lead England in this decisive Test on a lavishly spinning pitch. But championship games in July and August are almost a thing of the past, let alone on dusty grounds when a captain learns about how to use two or three spinners, the lines they should bowl, and the field-placings for them.
Root made the most elementary mistake in spreading his field from the start of day two for the overnight batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, and for Dananjaya de Silva the moment he walked in. It was a tactic which allowed Sri Lanka’s batsmen to pick up risk-free runs without having to play themselves in first.
Sure, push the field back once a batsman is set. But on a big-spinning pitch like this one, do the basics, keep the game tight, bring the field up, and if the batsman is impatient and wants to score quickly, make him take the big risk of hitting over the top.
It was only the brilliance of Ben Stokes’s fielding which prevented day two being worse for England. One bad session can lose a Test, and this was shaping up as one while Karunaratne and de Silva added 96 without a qualm, pushing their singles to long-on or long-off. The theory is to deny batsmen boundaries but it does not work if they can average four runs an over, as this pair did, by strolling four singles.
Stokes then intervened, like deus ex machina, first with his right hand then his left. The run-out of Karunaratne has to rank among England’s all-time finest. Having run from gully to pick up de Silva’s push, Stokes was exactly side-on to the batsman’s stumps when he unleashed. He had one-and-a-half inches of stump to aim at - and, after swivelling in mid-air, he hit.
For his next trick Stokes stuck out his left hand at slip to catch Kusal Mendis when the ball was going past him. With Sri Lanka 136 for four, England were “back in” thanks to Stokes, but only Jack Leach of England’s four spinners really did what was required. The left-arm spinner, who has grown up at Taunton, the one county ground which can now replicate Asian conditions, tied batsmen down and spun one past the outside edge once every over or two - more often with a newish ball, and its extra bounce, than the old.
Moeen did not follow suit so well, often too full, and maybe too reluctant to bowl round the wicket. In any event the field-setting for his offspin was remarkable for a powdery pitch: one would have thought the two essential positions were a forward short-leg and a backward short-leg for righthanded batsmen, but no, there was just Keaton Jennings at forward to catch an inside edge.
Adil Rashid was the most threatening spinner at one stage - in his spell after lunch - but the most disappointing overall. He turned the odd ball almost 45 degrees, and one legbreak went straight to slip. He dismissed Dananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews with perfect legbreaks but, too shy for once about bowling googlies, could not finish off the tail before the lead had grown to significant size.
Joe Root was England’s fourth spinner, and took one wicket when Niroshan Dickwella missed a sweep. But it was an over-estimation of his ability to bring himself on after only an hour of day two, and again to start the evening session, especially as he was so keen to experiment with his new legbreak. England, again, needed accurate finger-spin from at least one end all day, with bursts of Rashid, or James Anderson in search of reverse-swing.
It was some consolation that England’s first innings total was increased from 285 to 290. Roshen Silva, finished with a fine 85 that should reignite his Test career and gave Sri Lanka the lead, but instead of grounding his bat after cutting a ball towards the third man boundary, Silva assumed it had gone for four. Umpire Marais Erasmus pounced on the new law to award England five penalty runs - and none to Silva for the shot. It was debatable though whether Silva “deliberately” ran short or whether he simply, or dopily, assumed the ball had gone for four.
Close of play
England survive the single over they were made to bat, and end the day 46 runs behind Sri Lanka after one innings each.
OVER 1: ENG 0/0 (Leach 0* Burns 0*)
The Sri Lankans put an awful lot of pressure on Leach, screaming at every ball, and bringing yet another slip into play, but England's nightwatchman digs in and sees out the over, and the day's play. Off the players go.
Time for one or two overs in England's second innings
Nightwatchman Jack Leach will open the batting for England. The pressure is on, he is surrounded by fielders.
Sri Lanka all out for 336
So, finally, England get the final man out and the innings is complete. Joe Root will be immensely disappointed to have conceded a pretty sizeable lead given Sri Lanka were 165/6 at one point.
Roshen Silva was the main man for the hosts, but he had able support from five double-figure scores from the Sri Lanka tail, and they fully deserve their lead for batting so patiently and scoring cleverly as the day wore on.
WICKET! Roshen c Ali b Rashid 85
Rashid again, Roshen Silva takes a single, giving Lakmal the strike, but he has looked perfectly comfortable the whole time since coming in, and he scores two more and then takes another single.
And then, remarkably, it is Roshen that can't survive a single ball to see out the innings and he holes out to Moeen Ali at mid-on! Fow 336 all out
OVER 102: SL 332/9 (Roshen 84* Lakmal 12*)
Leach will get a go at Lakmal now. Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot. The final ball kicks up at Lakmal but without result.
OVER 101: SL 332/9 (Roshen 84* Lakmal 12*)
Rashid again, up against Roshen, who takes two runs and two more leg byes before giving out a huge groan of frustration at failing to connect with the final ball and losing the strike.
OVER 100: SL 328/9 (Roshen 82* Lakmal 12*)
Short and loose from Moeen, Lakmal swivels and smacks it to the rope for four, Curran's desperate dive in vain. Lakmal sees out the over.
OVER 99: SL 324/9 (Roshen 82* Lakmal 8*)
Rashid nearly gets Roshen with a googly, but he just gets his bat down in time, then he misjudges another and inside edges very nearly onto his stumps. There is, at least for England, no run, and Lakmal will be on strike at the other end. Moeen to continue.
OVER 98: SL 324/9 (Roshen 82* Lakmal 8*)
Three runs off Moeen's next over, and barely a sniff of a chance. Roshen has a century in his sights.
OVER 97: SL 321/9 (Roshen 80* Lakmal 7*)
Rashid comes back on, he's got a good record against tail-enders, and Roshen does seem to be protecting Lakmal from Rashid, refusing a single off the second ball.
However, he inside edges behind and Rashid has two chances against Lakmal. He takes his time setting his field, short leg is in, as is a slip.
Lakmal stands his ground. On Sri Lanka go.
OVER 96: SL 320/9 (Roshen 79* Lakmal 7*)
Not much sign of Roshen protecting Lakmal, who could face three Moeen balls after Roshen takes a single. Lakmal shows why he needs no protecting, with a nicely played single through the leg side. Then Roshen retains the strike with a single to end the over. More frustration for England.
OVER 95: SL 315/9 (Roshen 75* Lakmal 6*)
Jimmy Anderson will bowl to the new man, two slips in place and plenty other close-ish in. Anderson strays too straight and Lakmal clips off his pads well for a single. Silva takes a single of his own, then Lakmal pulls wildly and top edges over the slips for four.
The No 11 survives the final ball and Roshen has the strike for the next over.
OVER 94: SL 309/9 (Roshen 74* Lakmal 1*)
Now then, England made 60-odd runs on their 10th wicket yesterday, almost solely by Curran hogging the strike. England have an lbw appeal turned down, before Roshen dashes through for a single to get back on strike, but he can't manage another one to get on strike for the next over. England now have a chance to put Lakmal under some real pressure. Can he get off strike or survive the over?
WICKET! Dananjaya lbw b Ali 31
Finally, England have another wicket, Moeen with a straight one that straightens further and traps Dananjaya right in front of his stumps. He doesn't even bother to review. Fow 308/9
OVER 93: SL 307/8 (Roshen 73* Dananjaya 31*)
Anderson continues, Root hoping for some extra movement late in the day. And there is nearly a mix-up, with Burns diving to stop a cut from Dananjaya at point. Roshen assumes there is a single, Dananjaya sends him back, and Burns misses the stumps (it is a tough shot) with Roshen in no-man's land. More than a half-chance, that.
OVER 92: SL 307/8 (Roshen 73* Dananjaya 31*)
Moeen replaces the expensive Curran with this partnership gathering pace, momentum and confidence. An inside-edged single takes Sri Lanka past 300, and then the partnership moves past 50 with a huge six from from Roshen. He comes down the track and clips it back over Moeen's head. England are looking a little lost right now.
OVER 91: SL 299/8 (Roshen 66* Dananjaya 30*)
Dananjaya square cuts loosely and gets a thick edge on it, the ball flying past the outstretched arm of Ben Stokes in a wide second slip position for four.
And then Buttler nearly produces the catch of the series at cover as Dananjaya thrashes at another one and connects with it brilliantly. Buttler gets a good hand on it but can't hold on.
OVER 90: SL 294/8 (Roshen 65* Dananjaya 26*)
Curran catches a leading edge that lands between two men at extra cover. Four runs off the over. A lead of four.
OVER 89: SL 290/8 (Roshen 64* Dananjaya 23*)
Positive signs for Anderson he gets one scything in to Roshen and onto his pads. A half-hearted lbw appeal gets no reaction from umpire Ravi. A couple of twos brings the scores level.
OVER 88: SL 286/8 (Roshen 60* Dananjaya 23*)
Sam Curran is given his first over of the day, and only his third of the innings, but it's a bad start: his first ball is driven through covers for four, the second clipped off the pads for another boundary. 10 off the over in total. Room for improvement.
Five runs added to England's first innings score
Further news from the third umpire: The five penalty runs that I just said would be added to England's second innings score have in fact been added to their first innings score. So England's score changes to 290 all out. Fascinating.
OVER 87: SL 276/8 (Roshen 60* Dananjaya 13*)
Anderson continues, he's giving these balls everything on a slow pitch. Line and length is great, a tiny bit of movement, but again no bite from Roshen.
OVER 86: SL 276/8 (Roshen 60* Dananjaya 13*)
Roshen cuts away, they run for two runs, but the eagle-eyed umpire Erasmus takes two runs off because he hasn't grounded his bat as he turns back for the second run - perhaps he thought it had reached the boundary?
Confirmation from the third umpire that penalty runs have been awarded to England, so they will start their next innings on five runs.
OVER 85: SL 273/8 (Roshen 59* Dananjaya 11*)
Anderson again. Two runs conceded, a hint of swing, but no bite from either batsman.
Root's letter to England fans
Nick Hoult reports...
Joe Root has written to England fans thrown out of the team hotel in Kandy due to a double booking.
He has promised them a performance to be proud of and the team also posed for a photos with supporters during the lunch break today.
Some fans have been forced to make a two-hour journey from Dambulla after failing to find alternative rooms in Kandy following a row between the team hotel owners and Sri Lanka Cricket that led to a double booking.
As England Test captain, I would like to thank you on behalf of the team and the ECB for your support here in Sri Lanka.
We all feel the loyalty, commitment and passion that you and our travelling supporters, show. It is unmatched in world cricket and must never be taken for granted.
So, it has been a huge disappointment to all of us that your plans for the Kandy Test match have been badly disrupted, with your accommodation moved so far from the Earl's Regency.
You would have made your plans some time ago and looked forward to an incredible experience, seeing this country and watching Test cricket.
It was a big surprise to us to hear of Cricket Sri Lanka's booking issue and the threat that the match itself might be moved altogether. I can assure you that ECB has made its views clear.
I also know how hard our tour manager here and his colleagues at Lord's have worked to find a solution and that, whatever the additional arrangements made by our hosts, this has had an impact on you and caused difficulties for your trusted tour operators.
As leader of this group of players, I promise that we will do all we can to give you a performance to remember and thank you for your part in this Test match.
Thanks too for your continued support - we hope to see you at the ground.
With best regards
Joe Root
England Test captain
OVER 84: SL 271/8 (Roshen 58* Dananjaya 10*)
Just like Sri Lanka did yesterday, England have conceded far too many runs lower down the order. Dananjaya is into double figures from just 10 balls with a simple single. Then Roshen tries to cut a shot but hits it straight at Stokes at slip - it comes at him lightning quick but it does carry. You can't really expect him to catch that but it is a poor shot choice from Silva.
OVER 83: SL 270/8 (Roshen 58* Dananjaya 9*)
Around the wicket, and way down leg, not the best start from Jimmy. He finds a better line, and manages to find a little swing, though Roshen isn't tempted to play.
England's lead is now just 15.
England take the new ball
And it will be Jimmy Anderson with it.
OVER 82: SL 267/8 (Roshen 56* Dananjaya 9*)
Indeed, Leach continues with the old ball, and he is driven beautifully by Dananjaya down the ground for a couple of runs, before a ball darts back in at the left-hander, off an inside edge and between two men close in to safety. New ball time?
OVER 81: SL 262/8 (Roshen 55* Dananjaya 5*)
Root takes himself off and brings Moeen back on, deciding against taking the new ball, likely with that Leach wicket in mind. An expensive over. I imagine Root will give Leach another chance, but will probably be considering the new ball now.
OVER 80: SL 253/8 (Roshen 50* Dananjaya 1*)
Dananjaya is the new man in and he is off the mark straight away
WICKET! Perera lbw b Leach 15
Roshen Silva pushes Leach through the covers for a single that takes him to a very well-deserved half-century.
But then Leach gets one to stay straight and he traps Perera in front of his stumps, huge appeal and umpire Erasmus raises his finger! No review from Perera (though it feels like he may as well with only two wickets remaining after him?) and England have made an early breakthrough in the third session. Fow 252/8
OVER 79: SL 251/7 (Roshen 49* Perera 15*)
Root gives himself another go, Roshen ticks towards his 50. Perera dispatches a short, wide ball for four, and Sri Lanka are past 250.
Here come the players
Will this session bring England any more luck?
Tea: Sri Lanka 244/7
So, after such a positive start to the session, with Rashid taking two wickets in the first 11 overs, Sri Lanka have dug in really well and have kept the run rate ticking along, too. They are well in sight of England's 285 now and will even harbour hopes of taking a lead into the second innings. The imminent new ball might give England some hope of their own.
OVER 78: SL 244/7 (Roshen 46* Perera 11*)
Roshen Silva just a little uncomfortable against Ali here. Tries a reverse sweep but it turns wickedly and he gets nothing on it. A great take from Foakes almost precedes a stumping but Silva stands his ground.
OVER 77: SL 243/7 (Roshen 45* Perera 11*)
Root brings himself back on for a couple of overs before tea, but as we saw earlier, he is far less effective against right-handers, and he is facing two here. Surprise, surprise: nothing doing.
OVER 76: SL 240/7 (Roshen 42* Perera 11*)
Moeen is back on for Leach. He gets one to fly back into Perera, off his pad, up in the air and caught at short leg. The England players - a little desperately - go up in a huge appeal, but umpire Erasmus says no. England have no reviews left and it doesn't look like there was an edge anyway.
OVER 75: SL 239/7 (Roshen 41* Perera 11*)
Roshen is coming out of his shell now, and he skips down the track again to loft over mid-off for four with just a single bounce before the rope. Have the Sri Lankans now decided to attack Rashid's wayward balls? They take a few singles and then Perera whacks a short one down the pitch for four more! England's lead is down to 46.
OVER 74: SL 228/7 (Roshen 35* Perera 6*)
Leach looks like he might have trapped Perera deep in his crease but an inside edge saves the batsman. Not long now until tea.
OVER 73: SL 228/7 (Roshen 35* Perera 6*)
So much spin from Rashid that a ball pitching just outside off ends up with Stokes at first slip. Another one tempts Perera out but not quite enough to get an edge.
OVER 72: SL 227/7 (Roshen 35* Perera 5*)
Roshen has scored incredibly slowly almost all innings, but the final ball of this over the comes down the track and swats straight down the ground for four.
OVER 71: SL 221/7 (Roshen 30* Perera 4*)
Rashid comes back on after a six-over break. His first ball is too short, his second is good and turns well, his third is short and wide: it's just so inconsistent but we all know he has a good one in there somewhere, and the batsmen know it, too.
OVER 70: SL 219/7 (Roshen 29* Perera 3*)
Review by England, as Leach traps Roshen with a straight ball that he tries to sweep. It hits him on the arm right in front of the stumps but despite nobody seeming sure about it, Root goes upstairs.
It pitched well outside leg and England have lost their last review.
OVER 69: SL 219/7 (Roshen 29* Perera 3*)
Perera gets his first run but it isn't a millions miles away from being caught by Jennings at short leg, and his next runs are a complete fluke, edging through Foakes' legs. England won't mind that.
Very interesting Root stat, here:
13 of Root's 20 Test wickets have been left-handers. He averages 22.15 against them, compared to 88.00 against right-handers. #SLvEng
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 15, 2018
OVER 68: SL 212/7 (Roshen 26* Perera 0*)
Just the one off Moeen's next over.
OVER 67: SL 211/7 (Roshen 25* Perera 0*)
Another lbw appeal off the last ball but it's going way down leg.
WICKET! Dickwella lbw b Root 25
Root makes the breakthrough! And it's Dickwella who goes - having stuck so steadfastly with the sweep all innings, it is his downfall here.
The ball straightens when Dickwella thought it was going down leg and he hits his front pad halfway up, bang on middle stump. That's out, and Sri Lanka lose a review trying to deny it.
OVER 66: SL 209/6 (Roshen 24* Dickwella 24*)
This partnership is building nicely and will be starting to frustrate Root. They are both choosing their shots wisely and are looking fairly comfortable right now.
OVER 65: SL 205/6 (Roshen 21* Dickwella 23*)
Sure enough, Rashid is taken out of the attack and captain Root brings himself back on. He gets one ball to bounce up off the pitch nicely, but less turn for Rooty.
OVER 64: SL 203/6 (Roshen 20* Dickwella 22*)
Moeen to Dickwella, this is why Ali came into the attack, but the batsman sweep yet again, takes a single, and gets off strike. Roshen is happier to wait for the ball to come to him and he sees out the over. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a change at either end before long.
OVER 63: SL 200/6 (Roshen 18* Dickwella 21*)
Rashid continues, having bowled every other over since just before lunch and having taken the last two wickets. Again, genuine threat is too infrequent. He ships five runs and Sri Lanka bring up the 200.
OVER 62: SL 195/6 (Roshen 17* Dickwella 18*)
What a ball from Moeen that spins brutally away from Dickwella's latest reverse sweep attempt and has him beaten, but misses the bat completely.
OVER 61: SL 193/6 (Roshen 16* Dickwella 17*)
Rashid is still only threatening too inconsistently and there is little impact off this over. Time for drinks.
OVER 60: SL 191/6 (Roshen 15* Dickwella 16*)
Moeen is getting the ball darting in at Roshen, and one is nicked down leg, onto pad, up in the air but it lands safely. Roshen takes a single and Moeen gets another chance to bowl at Dickwella, who responds with yet another sweep. He has swept or reverse swept almost every ball against Moeen so far.
OVER 59: SL 189/6 (Roshen 14* Dickwella 15*)
Too much width from Rashid and Roshen cuts away for four.
OVER 58: SL 184/6 (Roshen 9* Dickwella 15*)
Moeen Ali comes into the attack having got Dickwella out twice in the first Test, once caught at extra cover, once caught at slip.
Plenty of turn in this pitch for Moeen, but Dickwella decides the best defence is the reverse sweep, which he does for five off the over.
OVER 57: SL 178/6 (Roshen 8* Dickwella 10*)
Rashid again inconsistent but again looks most likely to get another wicket. Too short, and lucky not to get thwacked away for four, before one that is almost chipped up to extra cover and another that whistles past the outside edge.
OVER 56: SL 176/6 (Roshen 7* Dickwella 10*)
Leach continues, and Dickwella continues to attack, this time with a reverse sweep at a ball way outside off for four over on the leg side.
OVER 55: SL 170/6 (Roshen 6* Dickwella 5*)
Another huge leg-before appeal from England following two balls that sum Rashid up. First a ball that is way too far down leg and Dickwella sweeps for four, and then one that pitches on middle and turns a huge amount and hits the front pad. A big appeal finds an unimpressed umpire and there is no England review, rightly so, as there was an inside edge.
WICKET! Mathews c Foakes b Rashid 20
Another for Rashid! It pitches on off and turns away wickedly, taking a thicker edge than Foakes seems to expect, and he needs two bites at it before securing the catch. Fow 165/6
(England were also 165/6 almost exactly 24 hours ago)
OVER 54: SL 165/5 (Mathews 20* Roshen 6*)
Just the one run for Mathews off Leach's next over.
OVER 53: SL 164/5 (Mathews 19* Roshen 6*)
Huuuuuuuge lbw appeal as Rashid's wrong 'un darts back at Roshen, who did not see that coming at all. Umpire Ravi is nonplussed, Rashid can't believe it, Root is screaming his head off, but there is no review after a short discussion.
Replays show that was the right call.
OVER 52: SL 162/5 (Mathews 18* Roshen 5*)
Leach has Roshen beaten all ends up by two balls, the first of which barely turns at all and just skids past off stump, while the second turns and beats the edge. Roshen responds with a sweep for three.
OVER 51: SL 156/5 (Mathews 16* Roshen 1*)
Some of the turn Rashid is getting here is astonishing, he's just finding the right length every third ball or so. It isn't enough to tempt Roshen out this time, and he's fortunate the bad balls aren't getting punished too much right now.
OVER 50: SL 155/5 (Mathews 15* Roshen 1*)
Leach is finding far better line and length than Rashid, conceding only one off the 50th over.
OVER 49: SL 154/5 (Mathews 14* Roshen 1*)
Rashid again. Inconsistent again. He nearly reproduces his wicket ball from the previous over, but then goes far too short and allows Roshen off the mark.
This is from his previous over, showing just how much variation there is in his bowling at present. Obviously for that wicket it was a positive, but I think more consistency would be helpful.
The first ball of Rashid's last over was the slowest ball he's bowled in the match. The next one was 11kph quicker and found the outside edge of de Silva's bat. #SLvEngpic.twitter.com/FuhbcJ8yYB
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 15, 2018
OVER 48: SL 151/5 (Mathews 12* Roshen 0*)
Leach again, two slips again. Mathews steps out to a ball pitching on off and smacks it up and over extra cover beautifully for four. Perfectly timed and right out of the middle of the bat. That brings the 150 up for the hosts.
OVER 47: SL 146/5 (Mathews 7* Roshen 0*)
Maiden wicket over from Rash, though the rest of his over left a little to be desired. Still, an important breakthrough.
WICKET! Dhananjaya c Foakes b Rashid 58
Rashid produces two absolute beauties off the first two balls of his second over - after a pretty wayward first - the first of which just misses the outside edge and the second takes the finest of nicks, Foakes takes the catch and Dhananjaya walks! Thought he might review there but no, he's off. Fow 146/5
OVER 46: SL 146/4 (Dhananjaya 58* Mathews 7*)
Leach up next. An extra slip in for Mathews but nothing doing.
OVER 45: SL 145/4 (Dhananjaya 58* Mathews 7*)
Rashid kicks things off after lunch but is too short and too wide and new-ish man Mathews says 'thank you very much' with five easy runs.
He then gets a straight one to turn out of the rough beautifully and it just, JUST misses both bat and off stump.
Sri Lanka are 139/4 at lunch
24 hours ago England were 120/4, so this game is pretty much in the balance, though what Stokes did towards the end of that first session will mean the momentum is with England. Ten minutes to go until the second session starts.
Ben Stokes' genius tips the balance England's way
Nick Hoult reports from Kandy on the first session
Two pieces of genius fielding from Ben Stokes tipped the morning England’s way following a fascinating duel between patient Sri Lankan batsmen and toiling spinners.
Stokes ran out Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne brilliantly from gully and plucked a one handed, instinctive catch at slip off Jack Leach to give England two wickets in the last 20 minutes before lunch leaving Sri Lanka 139 for 4.
It made up for some distinctly average bowling earlier. England’s three spinners either bowled too short or overpitched as they searched too hard for wickets on a turning pitch. Moeen Ali removed the night watchman, Malinda Pushpakumara caught swiping to midwicket in the second over, but the sight of Joe Root and James Anderson bowling after an hour’s play summed up the morning was not going to plan for England.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dananjaya de Silva batted sensibly adding 96 to chip away at England’s first innings total, sweeping well and maximising the singles on offer due to Root’s attacking fields. Adil Rashid was poor, dropping short too often as he bowled four expensive overs while Moeen was too full and easily picked off down the ground for ones and twos.
Leach was the best of England’s spinners fizzing the ball past the right-hander’s outside edge but Sri Lanka were cruising at 127 for three with Karunaratne compiling an accomplished half century.
The pitch looked flat and England called on Anderson to bowl cutters into the pitch with two close in fielders on the drive for something different but it was a brilliant piece of fielding from the team’s talismanic allrounder that brought the breakthrough. De Silva set off for a short run into the off side where Stokes ran around from gully, picked up one handed at point and threw down the stumps. He only had one stump to aim at but the direct hit left Karunaratne well short of his ground and out for 63.
Leach probed away as if bowling on a Taunton turner and eventually found the edge with Mendis nicking to slip where Stokes put out his left hand and the ball stuck.
Sri Lanka versus England, day two
You join us on day two of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England from Kandy. England won the toss on day one (the seventh time in a row that Joe Root has called it right!) and they batted. It was the same old story as the top order flattered to deceive. Keaton Jennings went cheaply, and then Ben Stokes, promoted to number three, and Joe Root both fell after having been in for a while. When Rory Burns was caught by de Silva off the bowling of Dananjaya, England were 89/4 and in danger of blowing their chance.
However, Jos Buttler, using an array of sweeps and reverse-sweeps, propelled them forwards with 63. Even still, when the ninth wicket went down for 225, England were short of what many experts regarded a good total - 250 - on a pitch that is already turning appreciably.
Young Sam Curran, though, shepherded the veteran number 11 James Anderson through a last-wicket stand of 60. Smashing six sixes in his 64, Curran confirmed that his future for England looks bright with both bat and ball.
Read Nick Hoult on how far Sam could go in England colours, and what his future role in the team might be. And here is Scyld Berry on the day one action, and Curran's role therein.
We will have live blog coverage from 6.30am on Thursday morning, in the meantime you can follow the score with the scoreboard link above.
