Image source, Rex Features

Another shot of the Duke of Edinburgh, whose presence today is causing the Royal Standard to be flown above the committee room, the shady area where he currently sits. Nuwan Pradeep's long strides hasten his towards Cook, who defends on the front foot with a bat like a barn door. Another maiden. 

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"There is that peculiar hum of conversation that comes out at Lord's. The cricket is steady, serene. It is a good pitch and the bowling so unthreatening. Batsman will look at this pitch and think 'if I don't make a mistake, I won't get out' which can almost make them more cautious."

Jonny, does the Sweden flag mean that's where this game is taking place? The Sri Lanka drinks-break conflab concludes that Angelo Mathews needs to turn his arm over. The skipper, chest the size of a beer keg, run up like a man who's laces have been tied together, is on a sixpence to Hales. A maiden.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Sri Lanka just need to get together and regroup and focus on what the coach told them this morning - where they need to bowl, just outside off stump, and not deviate from that."  

Pradeep, expensive so far, tries to ease himself into his spell, hanging the ball outside the off stump of Cook in the hope the skipper might be drawn into a mistake. The skipper doesn't really do mistakes or impatience, he's been known to meditate for days on end. Drinks.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I can only see the England batsmen getting themselves out by mistakes. We are still not a great batting side, but I fancy today they will be queuing up."

I'm drawn to the news that Cricket Australia is considering having a day-night Test during the next Ashes series down under in 2017-18. Thoughts on that? Steven Smith and Alastair Cook have both said they aren't keen and I think I agree with them. Then again, if it's good enough for any Test, why not the Ashes? Eranga to Cook, too leggy, four to bring up the fifty partnership.

Pradeep, another man sporting a mullet, is taken down the ground for four by Cook, a boundary that puts the skip ahead of Ian Bell on the list of all international runs for England. Only Kevin Pietersen has more. Sri Lanka ask when Cook follows one down the leg side, wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal especially certain there was some willow on that, but Angelo Mathews isn't drawn into a review.

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Lord's

"Lord's like a CGI still this morning - checkerboard green down below, cloudless pale blue up above, the old pavilion all soft orangey-pink. It appears to be an equally alluring track to bat on too - minimal sideways movement, true bounce, enough pace to bring the ball on but not enough to pound the gloves."

Image source, Rex Features

Still Eranga, speedo in the low 80s, slope hindering him with his line to leftie Cook, but much more helpful with right-hander Hales is on strike. Touch of movement, sleeve tattoo thrown into a drive, lucky not to be caught behind.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I thought Sri Lanka had it for a bit with their bowling, but they haven't. They lose concentration. But they've drifted now on to the pads. If you bowl it there to Cook he will kill you all day."

First bowling change of the day, Nuwan Pradeep not quite on the money. Twice he gets too straight to Cook, who was playing clips of his hips while he was still in the womb. On the boundary, a very relaxed Ben Stokes wanders towards the Nursery End. A little roll in the nets? A light gym session?

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"This is as flat and good a pitch as I have seen at Lord's for a while. Sri Lanka bowl quite well at times but the worry for them is they don't have a wicket - so the good balls haven't done anything for them. Cook looks in good nick and Hales has played better - by that I mean his foot work to the swing."

For as often that this Sri Lanka pair have got the ball in the right area this morning, they've also served up the odd gimme. A good example from Eranga, who tests Hales outside off stump, then gets too straight to allow Hales a whip through mid-wicket for four.

Compton, sitting in the shade of the dressing room, is wearing a sleeveless sweater. He won't need that when he gets to the middle. It's el schorchio out there. Lakmal shuffles in to the familiar crouch, raised bat and walk across the crease of Cook, the skipper shouting across St John's Wood when he turns down a single. Probing maiden from Lakmal.