The Asian side, who were one without loss in their second innings before stumps were called because of bad light, still face a deficit of 206 runs after the hosts made their way to 298 all out earlier in the day, with Bairstow scoring a brilliant 140.
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“I don’t usually like comparing players, but you see glimpses of what Gilly used to do in Jonny’s performance for England in the Headingley Test against Sri Lanka”, added the former Australia fast bowler, who played worldwide cricket alongside free-scoring keeper Gilchrist.
Two years ago it was the Sri Lankans celebrating in Leeds, with Anderson last out in the final over as the tourists won the second Test by 100 runs to seal a first Test-series victory in England.
Bairstow found a solid partner in Steven Finn, the pair adding 56 for the ninth wicket before the former skied a catch to mid-on off Chameera.
Even without Stokes, England would expect to seal the series in Durham against a Sri Lanka side lacking the experience of retired batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
“Yeah, it’s been absolutely fantastic”, said the Yorkshire wicket-keeper.
In a report on ESPNcricinfo, Sri Lanka’s chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya was quoted as saying that the reason for the ehind inclusion of Perera in place of Prasad was that the squad already had enough bowlers. Bairstow, the son of the late David Bairstow, himself a Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper, has had a stop-start global career since making his limited overs debut in 2011.
Ben Stokes is “touch and go” for England’s second Test with Sri Lanka after injuring his knee during the opening game of the series at Headingley.
“I remember watching him play in Scarborough; one of the first times I saw him play”, Cook said.
“I thought he’d play for England, the first time I saw him”.
The 33-year-old right-armer, who overtook India’s Kapil Dev during the first innings to become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in tests, claimed 10 victims in a five-day match for the third time in his career.
England are due to give up an update on the all-rounder’s fitness, and name a squad for the second Test, after he has had a scan on Sunday.
Cook’s opposite number Angelo Mathews said: “It was quite an embarrassing defeat … humiliating”.
But he only managed five on Saturday before he was caught behind off Broad.
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“You have to be realistic, batting against these guys in these conditions”.
