The third day of the first England vs Sri Lanka Test started with a brilliant knock of 228 runs by English skipper Joe Root at the Galle International Stadium. Root survived 321 balls for 228 runs at the strike rate of 71.03. This would be marked as the second double century against SL, overall, fourth. Root resumed the innings with Jos Buttler who contributed 30 runs on the scoreboard. But the tailenders could not keep the scorecard ticking. The innings came to an end after Root’s dismissal and the Englishmen put a total of 421 runs. Dilruwan Perera with four wickets became the pick bowler for Sri Lanka. He was supported by Lasith Embuldeniya who named three wickets after him including that of Root’s.
The visitors appeared dominating in the Test until the hosts put a fight back and controlled the gear in their second innings after a rusty 135 in their first, the shoe is on the other foot now. The Sri Lankan openers Kusal Parera and Lahiru Thirimanne stirred a partnership of 101 runs. Thirimanne was dropped on 51 by Dom Shibley. The English bowlers maintained the good line and length throughout the 61 overs and Sam Curran got the scalp of Kusal Perera (62 off 109). Stuart Broad was critically daunting as the economy rate suggested, 0.38. In his eight overs he just sparred three runs.
The game got wrapped up early as bad light became the concern in Galle. Root remained as the hero of the day though Thirimanne might have a little share of the pie for his unbeaten 76 at the stumps. SL trail by 130 runs while having 8 wickets in their kitty at the stumps.
