Summary

  • England seal victory on final morning

  • England lead 1-0 in two-Test series

  • Bairstow 35*, Lawrence 21* - add 62

  • England 38-3 overnight

  • First Test, Galle

  • Series postponed from March

  1. Postpublished at 05:09 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    With Dan Lawrence and Jonny Bairstow, there are some interesting selection issues for England: we've still got Rory Burns, Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope to return, there are a few questions over Dom Sibley's sub-continent style, and England will have to decide how they want to make up their side for long, hard days in India.

    It's not a bad quandry to have.

  2. Postpublished at 05:07 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Bairstow is an incredible character and cricketer. How can England get the Jonny Bairstow out there with a point-to-prove mentality because when he has he delivers. His body language is different when he has a point to prove.

  3. Postpublished at 05:05 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    There is still some cricket going on, with Australia stretching their lead over India at the Gabba but, er, it's raining.

    You can catch up with the action over here.

  4. Postpublished at 05:03 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It has been a really interesting Test. Sri Lanka were so bad on days one and two but have come back in the last two days. When I think about the preparation England have had, in Loughborough in a tent, one day in the middle in Sri Lanka and then rain, to put in this kind of performance is a great effort. This is not a great Sri Lanka team but it is always special when you win the subcontinent.

  5. Postpublished at 05:00 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    A welcome return to form for Jack Leach too which, after the difficulties of the past 18 months, is just the nicest thing.

  6. Postpublished at 04:57 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    For a young player like Lawrence, shaking the opponent's hand knowing you have got your team over the line would mean so much.

  7. Postpublished at 04:56 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Dan Lawrence has an average of 94 after his first Test. A solid performance, and a great sign for the long months ahead.

  8. Postpublished at 04:55 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    How nice for Dan Lawrence to be there at the end. We like the look of him. He looks like someone who could be around for a while.

  9. Postpublished at 04:54 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    That was a cracking Test match - after that first day, I didn't expect to be here on day five!

  10. Postpublished at 04:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    There weren't too many smiles on the England balcony last night but there are now.

  11. ENGLAND WIN BY SEVEN WICKETS!published at 04:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021
    Breaking

    Jonny Bairstow sweeps and lets out a "get in!" as the ball races to the boundary.

    After 35 minutes, England have secured victory, and taken a 1-0 lead in this two-match series.

  12. Postpublished at 04:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    I can see Sri Lankan shoulders drooping. They can console themselves with having had a good second half of the game.

  13. Eng 72-3published at 24 overs

    A dot!

  14. How's stat?!published at 04:49 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    England are set for their fourth consecutive win away from home. It will be first time England have won four away Tests in a row since the 1950s.

  15. Eng 72-3published at 23.5 overs

    Target 74

    Short, and Dan Lawrence cuts it away with absolute ease.

    Two to win...

  16. Postpublished at 04:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    The way Bairstow has played spin in this game, I think England will take his place at number three for India from pencil pen. He is a really good player of spin.

  17. Eng 69-3published at 23.1 overs

    A more leisurely two for Jonny Bairstow this time off Lasith Embuldeniya, and England need five to win.

  18. Postpublished at 04:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    If Sri Lanka had got another 65 in the first innings...

  19. Eng 67-3published at 23 overs

    Need 7 runs to win

    England take their target down to single figures as Jonny Bairstow comes tearing through for a second run.

    I don't know if someone can run aggressively, but if they can, then Bairstow does. It's like he's shoulder barging his way through a crowded room.

  20. Postpublished at 04:42 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2021

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Bairstow looks switched on. Sometimes it is difficult coming out for such a short period but he looks focused.