The atmosphere has just been turned down a notch, as if the contest will resume when England get the ball in hand. It's a wind-down towards the lunch break too. The odd bit of blue over Durham, while a club game involving what I think is Chester-le Street CC takes place nearby. The Sri Lanka plan to bowl at Finn isn't working - he's in pipe-and-slippers territory.

The cat and mouse has begun, with Sri Lanka wanting to bowl as many deliveries as possible to Steven Finn. With Moeen on strike, the field retreats. They want him to take the single. He refuses until the fourth ball, leaving Finn two to survive. He does and even pinches the strike at the end of the over. I'll be honest, I've always thought that this is a baffling tactic.

As ever, Geoffrey's assessment is spot on. Broad's feet went nowhere, leaving him feeling for a ball that angled in, then nipped away. It's taken Steven Finn an eternity to make it out there. Was he taken by surprise? When he finally emerges, he's fiddling with his helmet and adjusting his hair. All club cricketers have made a hasty entrance to the crease, but it's nice to know that it can happen to the pros.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Broad's footwork is non-existent. It was a lovely ball, good line and length, but he never gets far enough over to the ball, and that's because he's apprehensive."

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Fewest Tests to reach 1,000 runs and 50 wickets for England: 21 Ian Botham; 22 Trevor Bailey, Tony Greig, Ben Stokes; 25 Moeen Ali."

A helmeted Steven Finn waits as Moeen and Broad flay Lakmal through the off side to the sweeper on the cover boundary. Applause greeting every England run, the crowd keeping themselves warm on a chilly Durham day. Just over 20 minutes before lunch. 

When Woakes has time to reflect (he may even be doing it now), he will be disappointed with the stroke. There was a big score for the taking out there and he had already been afforded a life. Instead, an airy waft has cost a man looking to establish himself in Test cricket. Speaking of wafting, Stuart Broad is the new man, getting himself away with an edge through the packed slip cordon for four.  

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It's often the most dangerous time to be the batsman at the other end, when Moeen Ali is playing shot after shot. It was overconfidence that did for Woakes, he drove at a ball that wasn't there to be driven." 

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It looks like England are going to try to move the scoring rate on now. Moeen Ali should be telling himself he's going to get a century - there are no demons in the pitch."

My gaffer has been in touch to say he's enjoying the living near cricket grounds chat, so we'll keep that up. He used to live near the ground in Scarborough. As the sound of a horn drifts across C-l-S, Herath serves Moeen the rankest of long-hops, short and wide outside the off stump. Moeen does not miss out, then follows up with a dance and a drive. Two fours. Herath bowling some buffet here.

All 15 men on the field have layers to keep them warm. It might be a slightly brighter day than yesterday but it's still cloud-covered and chilly. Angelo Mathews, tiny steps of a man who has had his shoelaces tied together, beats the outside edge of Chris Woakes. Lip-readers will notice that the skipper said a naughty word.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"Moeen Ali has now passed 1,000 runs in Test cricket. Of the 21 England players to reach 1,000 runs and 50 wickets, he's the fifth quickest."

50 for Moeen Alipublished at 12:12

12:12

Eng 364-6

The half-century reached in style, a dance to drive down the ground for four. Much-needed runs for Moeen, a fifty made in 109 balls. For observers of this sort of thing, he's also made 41 of his runs on the off side. Cuts and drives the order of the day.

Spin it is. Rangana Herath. Moeen on 49....