Postpublished at 17:09 BST 24 August 2024
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Very good contact from Harry Brook. He's been looking to do that and he does hit the ball hard this chap, with little effort it seems.
England go 1-0 up in three-match series - match report
Root anchors run-chase with unbeaten 62 off 128 balls
Smith adds impetus with 39 (48)
Mendis makes sparkling 113 & Chandimal adds 79
Woakes and Potts both finish with three wickets
Wood does not bowl on day four because of injury - full story
by Mike Peter & Ffion Wynne
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Very good contact from Harry Brook. He's been looking to do that and he does hit the ball hard this chap, with little effort it seems.
Ah, there's a bit of impetus.
Brook nails the sweep, whacking Jayasuriya over square leg for four.
He comes fairly close to being bowled around his legs from the following ball, mind.
The cautious start to the session continues, just a couple of singles off the bowling of Asitha Fernando.
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Joe Root is playing the waiting game. Jayasuriya is very good at holding that line just outside of the leg stump. Neither of the batsmen have been able to penetrate that area of the field.
Joe Root plays it cool, sticking out a maiden from Jayasuriya.
Couple of dot balls to end the over, one keeping low.
Prior to that appeal Brook had cut Fernando away for four, the only scoring shot of the over.
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
A good ball with extra bounce. I think Fernando will surprise people with his pace.
Nothing there.
Bit of bounce from Asitha Fernando, Brook played a defensive shot close to his body and the ball whistled past the edge.
Kusal Mendis took the catch falling backwards, but there was no contact with the bat.
Are you... going to review it? You're not? You are? Ah yes, you are.
Dhananjaya de Silva finally decides to go upstairs for a possible edge behind from Brook.
Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
There's a degree of caution here for England. They can't afford to make any mistakes and Root is playing in a cagey manner.
Root 13, Brook 7
One run closer to the target of 205.
Brook twice finds the fielder at square leg before nudging a single into the covers.
Time to get back out there.
Prabath Jayasuirya has removed his jumper and is handing it to the umpire.
Thanks Ffion.
Yes, you'd think so, wouldn't you? I'd be rather surprised if I'm in the office tomorrow rather than clocking up some morning miles along the Bridgewater Canal.
Right, I'm going for a break.
Here's Mike Peter to steer you through the evening session, where this game could (should) come to a conclusion tonight!
Ben Jones
CricViz analyst
England love the sweep. In the BazBall era, 6% of all their shots against spin have been some sort of sweep: conventional, lap, slog sweep, or reverse. That's the highest figure for any Test team in that time.
The other three to fall, of course, were England's.
Ben Duckett was caught behind for 11, Ollie Pope mis-timed a reverse sweep for six and Dan Lawrence was lbw for 34.
Seven wickets fell in that session, starting with Sri Lanka's innings coming to an end in rather chaotic fashion.
Kamindu Mendis was first to fall for his epic 113 but what followed was pretty dire.
The last four wickets fell for 19 runs, though Sri Lanka did push their lead narrowly past 200, as Dinesh Chandimal was let down by the lower order.
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds
Root and Brook have some serious work to do after tea. England are in a contest here.
Target 205
A long but gripping session comes to an end.
England are still in front, but Sri Lanka have kept them in check with those three wickets and haven't let the run-rate get out of control.
England need another 123 to win.
Eng 80-3
Oh, it would have been an absolute worldie.
Harry Brook sweeps firmly, and the sub fielder at square leaps full-stretch, Superman-style, to his right. It's going so quickly, and the ball bounces off his wrist.
He's applauded by the bowler for stopping what would've been a certain boundary, though.
We'll get one more over in before lunch.