Sri Lanka v England LIVE, first Test day three, Galle - score, commentary & updates

Summary

Thirimanne 76* - dropped on 51
Highest score since 2013
Perera 62, Mendis 15
Openers Perera & Thirimanne add 101
Sri Lanka trail by 286 on first innings
England slip from 372-4 to 421 all out
Root 228 - fourth Test double century
Lawrence 73, Bairstow 47, Perera 4-109
First Test, day three, Galle
Two-Test series postponed from March

Live Reporting

Amy Lofthouse and Callum Matthews

Postpublished at 09:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
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Postpublished at 09:19 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
There's more tape going on Perera's hand. It's like a boxer before a big bout. He has to keep his mind focused.
SL 87-0published at 33 overs
Trail by 199
Kusal Perera definitely isn't happy as he walks away from the crease and shakes his hand after drive Dom Bess to cover.
The physio is back out in between overs - he's putting more tape on.
Sri Lanka have got the deficit below 200 now. That's another tick.
They are less than 10 minutes from getting to tea, without losing a wicket, and ticking another landmark off.
How's stat?!published at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statistician
This is Perera's ninth 50-plus score and has come in 91 balls. It is the slowest of his nine half-centuries.
His first-class strike-rate is over 80. He is more Sehwag than Sibley.
Postpublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
You can get an adrenaline rush when a fast bowler comes on. You get a little bit excitable and try and play a few more shots to intimidate the bowler.
Postpublished at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
Mark Wood has just got the batsmen going a bit.
SL 84-0published at 32 overs
Trail by 202
Kusal Perera isn't entirely happy as he shakes his hand, while running to the non-striker's end, after pulling away for a single.
Lahiru Thirimanne then upper cuts, not entirely convincingly, for a couple.
There are just over 10 minutes till tea. Three overs? Can England find a breakthrough?
Postpublished at 09:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Kusal Perera is OK to continue.
For the time being anyway...
Postpublished at 09:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
I have been hit on the wrist many times but I have never had a physio tape my hand. I am not sure what that is going to do.
I don't think I have ever seen so much tape.
Postpublished at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Kusal Perera is now picking up his bat to see how it feels and to see if he can grip it properly.
He seems happy, I wouldn't say totally, but enough so goes back to putting his arm guard on.
Postpublished at 09:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
That part of the glove has substantial padding. It was a quick bouncer from Wood.
Postpublished at 09:08 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
The physio is out having a look at Kusal Perera's hand.
He's put some yellow tape around it so far, and is now start on another type of tape.
That would suggest it's not broken, but will it swell? And can he move it?
Postpublished at 09:07 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
Perera is struggling here. On first look it looks like a big problem.
SL 81-0published at 31.3 overs
Trail by 205
Ouch! That's going to hurt.
Mark Wood has hit the top of Kusal Perera's top hand with a vicious bouncer.
He looks in some pain.
Postpublished at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
They'd have to get 500 in this innings.
Postpublished at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
There is time left for Sri Lanka to win this match...
50 for Kusal Pererapublished at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Well batted, Kusal Perera.
It is ninth 50+ score in Test cricket.
His normal strike is 74 in the longer-format, it is down at 54.95 today. He has been much more reserved but he's got his rewards.
Postpublished at 09:04 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
We have seen some good sweep shots in this game so far. That was really good.
SL 79-0published at 31 overs
Trail by 207
Good shot from Lahiru Thirimanne as he slog sweeps Dom Bess to the square leg boundary.
He's been the understudy in this partnership really but he's playing a good hand.
How's stat?!published at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2021
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statistician
This is the first time England have failed to take a wicket in the first 30 overs in a Test innings for two years. The last time was the second West Indies Test in Antigua in early 2019. John Campbell and Kraigg Brathwaite lasted until the 34th over.