Herath to Bairstow, who is very much the key man for England here. The Yorkshire keeper has been becalmed since the loss of Moeen, perhaps aware of his responsibility towards the new nut. Herath continues to tease, throwing the ball up only to pull it away at the last moment. Two overs until the shiny red leather.

Image source, Rex Features

Anton Muszanskyj: Just seen northern cricket grounds described as 'unruly'. If a few beer snakes and singing puts you off you need to get out more.

I'm with you, Andy. Lord's might look pretty, but is it lacking a little... passion? That's the sort of opinion that could end up with me in front of the judge (G Boycott) for crimes against cricket. Lakmal, doing some real shop floor hard yards, keeps Woakes honest around off stump. Important passage this. One more wicket would expose the tail to the new ball. Being bowled out for under 300 would be a pretty poor show.

AndyMac: Re. 'Give me Lord's and the ceremony over loud, unruly northern grounds.' That's the unruly passionate crowds that the players love?

Image source, Reuters

If Herath gives the ball any more air, it will come down with snow on it. Tossed up to the moon, then fired through. Subtle variations, change of delivery angle, so cunning you could stick a tail on him and call him a weasel. Woakes, initially befuddled, manages to get his hands through a wide one for three to third man.

Andy Tubb: Game stopped by hounds ,horns & many riders pursuing a wily fox ,made a mess of the outfield.

Pete Roberts: Millhouses park, Sheffield, interrupted by old lady with shopping trolley wandering across pitch.

EnglefieldGreenCC: On a tour game one of our players decided to chase a supporter around the pitch wearing only a mankini... Proper distraction.

Sri Lanka will be delighted with their work so far. On a deck as responsive as a hormonal teenager, they have stuck to their task, kept a lid on scoring and chipped away with regular wickets. Just imagine if they had taken the chance offered by Jonny Bairstow. Lakmal is still getting this 75-over-old ball to move, beating the grope of Woakes. Plenty in this contest to keep us interested.

Stuart Taylor: Village fair on adjacent field and llama escaped from the pen distracted whilst batting.

StuBailes: I was distracted whilst playing for Sheffield uni 2nd xi. Three ladies from the rugby team decided to streak across the wicket.

Ben Tucker: Distractions in cricket, Hit a straight drive down the ground for 4. Went into a bush! Out ran a naked couple from the bushes.

One more wicket and England are in danger of mucking this up. Looking again, Moeen was drawn towards the ball, pushing the bat out away from his pad, feeling for turn that just wasn't there. Wonderful from Herath, who has a bag of tricks deeper than Mary Poppins. Chris Woakes the new man. England need another partnership.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

"I tell you what got that wicket - the ball before turned surprisingly out of the rough and caused a bit of excitement. That pitched in more or less the same spot but didn't spin. This is not a 227-6 wicket."

Gone! Edge from Moeen, taken low by Mathews at slip. Looks legit, but the umpires aren't sure it's carried...

Merryn Tudor: No, you're wrong. Lord's must uphold dress standards. Give me Lords and the ceremony over the loud, unruly northern grounds.

Image source, Reuters

On the England balcony, Nick Compton is sitting between Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace. Is that the naughty boy sitting between the teachers, or a deep therapy session? All looks quite jovial. Bairstow, shirt so snug his pecs might burst through, seems to briefly consider taking a single to bowler Lakmal, then decides even he isn't quick enough for that.

Paul Howes: My son's U10A match stopped by local toffs so that their helicopter could take off.

Dinesh Chandimal, the Lankan keeper, waits with his red and yellow gloves spread apart. Herath, the twiddler, creeps in and tosses it up. Single to Moeen, watchful defence from Bairstow. Sedate and serene in the evening sun. Drinks, eight overs until the new ball.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, AFP

 "They have done well here, Sri Lanka. They have put the brakes on Bairstow. That is down to good field positions for Herath and Lakmal."  

So, so many ties inside HQ. Is that really necessary? I mean, who really wants to watch sport whilst wearing a tie? Give me the no dress code of the northern grounds any day. Can you even get a pint of lager at Lord's? Lakmal, 80mph or thereabouts, is full and straight to Bairstow, who's red face fuzz reminds me of Hank Scorpio. Sri Lanka doing their level best to keep a lid on things.

Gareth Edwards: Distracted batting: once saw a fielder set himself on fire by sliding for a ball with cigarettes and matches in his pocket.

England have scored at almost five an over since tea, proving our suspicions that they might tickle the gas just right. Herath looks to turn the ball up the slope, away from Bairstow, who is staying leg side of the ball. More humming from the crowd, conversations on where the post-play Chardonnay will be quaffed.