New batsman Nick Compton accepted in the build-up to this match he was playing for his Test place after his duck in England’s innings and 88-run win in the first of this three-match series at Headingley last week.
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“We have to bat positively tomorrow”, Silva told Sky Sports at the close of play on day three. “With a Test series up for grabs we’re on it and our aim is to have all nine Test trophies and we can make it eight this week”, he added Wednesday. “Today was a great feeling”, said Moeen.
At tea, England were 200 for three, with Joe Root 69 not out and James Vince 22 not out.
England’s Steven Finn in action during day three of the Second Test Match against Sri Lanka, at the Emirates Riverside, Chester-Le-Street, England, Sunday May 29, 2016.
Lahiru Thirimanne was 12 not out at the close and Suranga Lakmal unbeaten on nought.
As well as Sri Lanka batted on an admittedly placid surface, a second successive innings victory for England – and a series triumph – remains the most likely outcome.
Sri Lanka held several brilliant catches on Friday, but Saturday’s early overs saw them drop two chances.
Moeen had Sri Lanka’s faulty catching to thank on his way to a career-best 155 not out in England’s 498 for nine declared.
Bairstow ran Sri Lanka ragged with his speed between the wickets, but the tourists admirably got through Friday’s 90 overs without conceding a single wide or no-ball.
When stumps were finally drawn, both teams will be happy with their performance but England, probably, will rue losing an additional two wickets.
Chris Woakes put in another impressive display and he broke the opening stand when Karunaratne edged to second slip.
But wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal, who appeared not to see the ball until too late, didn’t even get a glove on the routine chance as it went past him for four.
Ali went to his hundred in style, driving paceman Nuwan Pradeep for four.
He had made 105 when he miscued a pull off Eranga, only for Siriwardana to make a complete hash of the opportunity on the boundary.
Cook had said before the second Test here that he hoped Moeen’s mini-promotion would unlock some runs from the spin-bowling all-rounder who, as a top-order batsman for Worcestershire, had been suffering from something of an identity crisis down at No8.
Hales was out to a reaction catch at slip by Angelo Mathews off spinner Milinda Siriwardana, dismissed after he had launched a big six down the ground off the slow bowler. Otherwise, Cook will certainly reach the 10,000-run landmark in the third Test match against Sri Lanka at Lord’s which starts at June 9.
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Ali launched Lakmal for six over midwicket to bring up his 150 and the declaration came soon after with England two shy of 500.
