England lead Sri Lanka by 185 on again of Joe Root’s century

Joe Root notched his first check century in additional than a 12 months and Essex batsman Dan Lawrence made a powerful debut as England took management in a rain-affected first check in opposition to Sri Lanka on Friday.
Root was unbeaten on 168 off 254 balls and Lawrence made 73 off 150 balls with England cruising to 320-4 earlier than rain denied additional play on Day 2 after tea.
The guests now lead by 185 runs with six wickets in hand on a wicket that has began to point out indicators of loads of spin.
England had rattled Sri Lanka for 135 within the first innings inside the primary two classes on Thursday with offspinner Dom Bess claiming 5-30 and Stuart Broad selecting 3-20.
Root and Lawrence defied Sri Lanka’s plans with a 173-run stand as wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella twice missed alternatives to carry onto the sides off Lawrence’s bat.
Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera lastly received the breakthrough late within the second session with the second new ball when Lawrence gloved a catch to ahead brief leg.
The Essex batsman confirmed lot of maturity in his debut check together with his again foot and entrance foot drives and even performed beautiful minimize pictures in opposition to spinners. He hit six fours and his debut half century additionally included a six over midwicket off Lasith Embuldeniya, Sri Lanka’s most profitable bowler at 3-131.
Earlier, Root survived Sri Lanka’s leg earlier than wicket tv referral off Perera’s second ball of the day after the beginning was delayed 70 minutes due to rain.
But Embuldeniya received in a single day batsman Jonny Bairstow caught in brief gully. Bairstow couldn’t add to his in a single day 47 however added a significant 114 runs together with his skipper.
Root, 66 in a single day, accomplished his 18th check century and second in Sri Lanka with a single within the first over after lunch off 163 balls with seven fours because the England captain grew in confidence.
It was Root’s first check century since scoring 226 in opposition to New Zealand in Hamilton in November 2019.
Root continued to dominate the spinners and reached 150 off 225 balls when he guided Embuldeniya behind level for a single.