Eng 190-6published at 56 overs

56 overs

Foakes 42, Curran 12

Bang! Sam Curran explodes into life.

After scoring just six from his first 36 balls he then doubles his score by smacking Akila over mid off for a big six!

He looks like a cheeky school kid who has had his shirt drenched by his mates on the last day of term but that's excellent.

Alec Stewart
Ex-England captain on The Cricket Social

I am delighted to see Ben Foakes play in this way, sensible batting. He trusts in his defence but won't miss out on any chance to score.

He has a great temperament, he understands his own game. He is the best keeper about but people forget that he is a very good batsman indeed. He looks comfortable at Test level already.

Image source, Reuters

Foakes has at least made sure this day isn't a complete write-off for England. Had they been bowled out for 150, which was very possible after the morning session, there would have been some heavy criticism coming the team's way.

The top order will still be criticised for the showing but Foakes has at least altered the momentum a little with sensible batting.

Suranga Lakmal brings himself back into the attack and starts with a maiden.

Isabelle Westbury
Former Middlesex captain on The Cricket Social

Six months ago there was talk of Trevor Bayliss losing his position as England coach, and he is going in less than a year. It's disingenuous to suggest that nobody is putting him under any pressure.

Ben Foakes has grown into this innings. He skips down the pitch to Dilruwan Perera and again just calmly knocks the ball into the leg side for one. I'm already a big fan of Foakes'. He's been excellent.

Alec Stewart is now on The Cricket Social to tell you all about the Surrey keeper.

Dan Hayden: How can Moeen be seen as the solution at number 3? He’s devastating down the order, keep him there. Vince or Buttler should be there and stay there.

This is now classic sub-continent cricket. We've got spinners on at both ends and the sun is just starting to peak out. Akila Dananjaya has been the least effective of Sri Lanka's bowlers today despite finding the most turn. Another leg-break turns a fair way but Curran has time to play it well. There could be some big spin later in this match. England need to make sure it gets there.

Andy Zaltzman
The Cricket Social statistician

Since Trevor Bayliss became coach England have won 18 and lost nine of their home Tests and won three of 22 away from home.

The England run-rate has dropped a little in the last 25 minutes since Buttler's dismissal. They're down below threes for this session having been over five runs per over in the first session. You can have spells like this in the sub-continent. Foakes and Curran just need to be told they're fine to bat on like this.

We have just over half an hour to go until tea now. Ben Foakes continues to defend well. Can these two get through to the interval?

Alec Stewart will be on The Cricket Social at 08:45 GMT to discuss Foakes in his debut.

Suranga Lakmal is now directing the Sri Lanka fielders with Dinesh Chandimal off the field injured. He has a slip and a short leg in place with Sam Curran on strike and Perera bowling. The thousands of England fans in the ground all take in a deep in-take of breath as Curran chases a wide one. Luckily for him there's no edge.

In, out, in, out.Shake it all about.

Ohhhhhhh, the Vincey cokey.

Phillenials: Sorry, can someone explain to me how James Vince doesn't make this team??

Rangana Herath is now bowling to Sam Curran. Curran was one when Herath made his Test debut back in 1999. A single to England's 20-year-old is the only run in the Sri Lankan's tidy over. Foakes plays the final ball well when it turns sharply and squares him up a little.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on The Cricket Social

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart Broad has still got two or three years left, if he wants to go on for that length of time. I am surprised to hear that he's changing his run up at this stage of his career.

I don't mind the fact that he's not playing in these conditions. But when you're picking a team you have to think 'how are we going to get 20 wickets?'

I just hope England didn't pick Sam Curran over Stuart Broad just beacuse of his better batting.

Yep. Curran is fine. It was a good throw from the deep but the dive got the England number eight back comfortably.

I think this is fine but we're checking a run out as Sam Curran dives in at the non-striker's end...

Andy Zaltzman
The Cricket Social statistician

Ben Foakes is the fifth successive England wicket keeper to make at least 30 in the first innings of his Test match debut.

Image source, AFP

Chandimal has now dragged his way up to the dressing room. It looked innocuous. The Sri Lanka captain wasn't sprinting like when you see an athlete pull a muscle on the track. It was just a gentle jog which turned into a walk.

Could Sri Lanka now be without their captain and key batsman in this match?

Eng 169-6published at 46.3 overs

46.3 overs

Ooooof. Sri Lanka's captain Dinesh Chandimal could be in a bit of bother here. He turns to run after the ball from mid-wicket and pulls up after a few yards. He's at nothing more than walking pace by the time he gets to the ball and then limps straight off the field.

He seems to be pointing towards his groin.