Sitting together in the posh seats are Marcus Trescothick, Gladstone Small and Simon Jones - three Ashes winners alongside Mark Butcher, who isn't. Angelo Mathews decides he must roll his arm over, dobbing his meds down with keeper Chandimal up to the stumps. Hard to describe how simple batting is looking at the moment. It's barely a contest.

Sri Lanka's hope is that conditions remain like this for the rest of the day. The clouds have cleared, blue is overhead. It's warm but not stifling. Problem is, at this rate, England could still be there at tea. More from Herath, who looks even shorter than he did at the start of the innings. Woakes, still not warm enough to remove his sweater, is accumulating like a man picking daffodils. 

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It hasn't really swung for any of the Sri Lankan bowlers, and so batting has been a doddle for England today."

We wondered how crucial this first session might be in the context of this game and now we have our answer. The efforts of Bairstow and Woakes have taken England to the position they wanted after winning the toss on a belter and batting is now looking as comfortable as a day under the duvet. Eranga to Bairstow, hint of width, late cut to the vacant third man boundary.

Image source, Rex Features/Getty

Chief Anderson: Queued for a session for Graham Goochs autograph whilst 'he' was netting. Gutted when 'Goochie' informed me he was Don Topley.

Pitched Outside Leg: In Florence, at traffic lights, asked Fiorentina's Gabriel Batistuta to sign match programme. Smiled, and signed as Rui Costa. 

Image source, PA

I'm not sure that Herath needs to do this. He was causing enough problems with his conventional over-the-wicket plan. He has the tricks, the variation and the know-how to makes things difficult, even when two batsmen are set. This over-the-wicket, leg-stump line isn't doing a great deal.

I once asked Richie Benaud for a photograph. He said no, then we awkwardly had to wait for the same lift together. England continue nudging and nurdling, moving nearer to the point where they could be classed as out of sight. Woakes pushes Eranga into the leg side and decides he wants two, causing Bairstow to dive for his ground at the non-striker's end.

Is that a gazebo? It looks more like a marquee to me. There is a difference, right? Herath, looking to apply the tourniquet, gets all Giles-to-Tendulkar on this England pair, bowling over the wicket and into the pads. Sri Lanka retreating apace.

Now then, I think they might have actually fooled me with an earlier drinks break. Umpire Rod Tucker ran off the field about 10 minutes ago, so I think they took refreshments then. Rod, you old tease. Woakes, growing in stature by the minute, stands tall to hook Eranga in front of square for four. When Stokes is fit, is there room for both men in the England side?

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Rex Features

"This partnership has taken the game away from Sri Lanka. They haven't looked to take a chance off anything. It's been very, very good batting."

Herath with what could be the final over before drinks. Sri Lanka desperately trying to stop the bleeding, but England are inflicting death by a thousand cuts. A nudge here, a dab there, a jab down the ground. More singles than a night out in Reflex. 

Andy: Footballer Trevor Francis didn't appreciate my 1 handed request for an autograph at the urinals of Bootham Crescent early 1990s.

James Vaughan: I once knocked on Graeme Hick's car window to ask for his autograph. He was making out with his fiancée at the time. Awkward.   

50 for Chris Woakespublished at 11:57

11:57

Eng 330-6

Well batted, sir. A maiden Test half-century for Chris Woakes, reached with a flash through gully to defeat the dive of the man on the point boundary. A raise of the bat to acknowledge the smiles and applause from the England balcony. The Warwickshire man has taken the chance presented by Ben Stokes' injury. That's the hundred partnership too.

Left-arm tweaker Herath returns, not before time. Slip and silly point for Woakes, who seems more circumspect against the flight and guile on the little maestro. In-out field, singles on offer, Woakes accepts one to mid-on.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Image source, Getty Images

"This is Woakes' highest Test score - again - beating the 39 he made in the last Test."