Galle Sri Lanka
Joe Root completed a masterful double century as England built a formidable lead on the third day of England’s first Test in Sri Lanka, but the hosts finally found some batting resolve of their own in Galle.
Root converted his overnight 168 into 228 in near flawless fashion, totting up a fourth double ton for his country, and was last man out with the score at 421.
While the touring captain continued accumulating in reliable fashion, sweeping habitually out of the middle of the bat and watching the spin diligently, the game situation advanced rapidly around him as England lost six wickets for 101 in the morning session.
That left them 286 ahead, a huge buffer on a pitch taking lavish spin, but openers Kusal Perera (55no) and Lahiru Thirimanne (34no) withstood the scoreboard pressure to reach tea at 90 without loss.
Between them the pair blunted 35 overs as England’s attack laboured unsuccessfully, in stark contrast to rolling the entire team for 135 on the first afternoon. A lead of 196 was still a lofty one, but forcing the result now looked likely to require an element of battle.
Both teams were well rested after rain wiped out the evening session on day two but England’s prior momentum remained unchecked. Root drove the third ball of the day for four to get things up and running before his partner, Jos Buttler, treated himself to a trio of reverse sweeps to the boundary ropes.—AP
