It was the start of some slide for England, three wickets for 15 runs. Nick Compton, under pressure and in need of a score, was the next to go. Full ball, static drive, exit to silence at HQ.

Just joining us? Where've you been? It was all going so well for England, 56-0 on a belting deck under a blue sky. Then this happened...

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Lord's

Image source, AFP

"A perfect pitch, perfect weather, and another imperfect batting display from England. A side that has improved dramatically in the past year still has several critical weaknesses, and the foldable nature of the top order is the most pressing of all. A chance for Sri Lanka when, having lost the toss on this track, they should have been lunching on no chances at all."

BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Now, lunch breaks on TMS are usually special, but this one has got extra mustard. You can hear the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture, delivered by former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum earlier this week. I urge you to listen, because it's brilliant. No wonder he was such a good captain.

Partridge Thornton: For all their good results, when did England last look capable of batting as a unit on a consistent basis?  

Jeremy Fretter: Alex Hales obviously watching too much Notts County 50 over cricket Someone tell him the difference between 50Overs and tests    

Harry Chamberlain: Lords. Sun. An absolute road. English batting capitulation. Summer has truly arrived  

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"It is a beautiful batting pitch and Sri Lanka have been excellent. Even with England 50-0 they managed to control it. They restricted England scoring. They have had the better of the session but I still look at the pitch and think someone from the England side will get a score. Someone will fill their boots."

James Vince gets to the break, but Sri Lanka end that session as the happier team. On a morning made for batting, England have somehow lost three wickets. Alastair Cook, who would survive a nuclear war, remains on 48. Much to do this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Peter Eastwood: Thus endeth Nick Compton's England career.

Zeb Bowyer: Compton's footwork is a static as his England career at the moment, going nowhere! Root up to 3 and replace him with Stokes...

Rakesh Pradhan: Compton Test career could have a big line drawn underneath it now. Again it's up to Cook and Root to the rescue.

All sorts happening out there. England have lost 3-15, Alastair Cook is closing on a half-century, James Vince needs some runs and there's probably only one over to go before lunch...

Oolon Calluphid: Ah, a good old-fashioned England batting collapse. Takes be back to my childhood. And teenage years. And twenties.  

Henry Ellison: Why are we always 40 to 70 for 3? Every time. Something fundamentally wrong with this England team. So frustrating.   

Image source, Reuters

Looking again, Root was slightly undone by the slope. With a heavy head, he was falling over as the ball was bowled, giving himself the impression the ball was heading down the leg side, when actually it was dead straight. Good bowling from Lakmal, who was brave enough to get it right up there. A worried chatter greets new man James Vince, who gets away with three clipped through mid-wicket.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"It was only a couple of weeks ago at Headingley that no matter what the conditions England manage to get to 100-5. Root got his head over the off stump, knowing the slope is against him. He played across a straight one. It is clever bowling."

Now then, this looks close. Lakmal to Root. Very full, very straight. What could it be missing? Angelo Mathews wants to know. Big moment...

Image source, Murray Andrews

Murray Andrews

Yep, the whole ground knew it, sharing Compton's pain, but also moving away from the man who might soon be cut adrift. Herath to Root, who already looks busy. 

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Lord's

Image source, Getty Images

"A ghastly silence from the Lord's crowd as Compton nicked behind, both sympathy for the torment he seems to go through at the crease and understanding of how hard something as simple as putting away a half-volley can sometimes be. There is very little room to hide in Test cricket, and as Compton walked back slowly to the pavilion steps, a jam-packed Lord's suddenly seemed like the loneliest place in London."

Looking again, that was quite wide to be driving, especially when your score is only one. It was probably at about a sixth stump. On the other hand, if you don't attempt to put a wide half-volley away, what do you hit? Compton looked tentative, was sluggish and, eventually, gone. Joe Root the new man, England one wicket away from trouble.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"The shake of the head and his face as he walks off... he knows. He has struggled all summer. The crowd know when someone is having to fight. He needed a number on a true wicket against a straightforward attack. It is a lonely world - international sport - when things are against you. He doesn't bring energy at number three. He doesn't have those gears."