Postpublished at 06:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
We're changing the ball, as Joe Root has basically pummelled it out of shape.
Summary
Root bats all day for 186 - run out from last ball
Root now fourth on all-time England Test runs list after passing Pietersen & Gower
Buttler (55) and Bess (32) offer stoic support to Root
Sri Lanka spinner Embuldeniya takes seven wickets
Second Test, day three, Galle, England 1-0 up in two-match series
Postpublished at 06:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Postpublished at 06:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialIt has been a Rolls Royce of a knock from Root. There has been no need to get through the gears. He has just kept purring.
How's stat?!published at 06:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statisticianRoot's hundred came from 139 balls. It is his 19th in Tests.
It is the first time he has hit hundreds in successive Tests.
Eng 160-4published at 50 overs
Is this Joe Root's best century? It might be - scoring a ton as captain, away from home, when you've come in with your side 7-2, and making it look like you're batting on a different strip to everyone else. He now has three Test centuries in Sri Lanka.
Postpublished at 06:04 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter postEng 159-4published at 49 overs
Root 100, Buttler 14
So that's Joe Root's second century of the year and his 19th overall. With such a huge year ahead, England, and Root himself, could not have asked for their captain to make a better start. He's a genuine joy to watch.
Image source, Sri Lanka CricketPostpublished at 06:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialA class apart. Root hasn't given a chance.
Postpublished at 06:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match SpecialThis has been a magnificent innings from Joe Root. A masterclass.
100 for Rootpublished at 06:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Joe Root!
What an absolutely superb century from the England captain, leading from the front, looking on a different level to everybody else. So good. Drink it in.
Eng 156-4published at 48.1 overs
Joe Root shakes his head as he comes through for a quick single after the ball sort of ballooned off his outside edge. 99 and counting, before a Jos Buttler reverse sweep brings Root back on strike.
Postpublished at 05:59 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Dilruwan Perera is back, with Joe Root on 98.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 05:58 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
#bbccricket
Josh Withers: This feels like a series-defining partnership.
Eng 154-4published at 48 overs
Trail by 227
A firm drive from Jos Buttler goes on the bounce to the cover fielder, and that is another over completed.
Eng 154-4published at 47.2 overs
Someone in the Big Bash has just been run out twice off one ball, which I haven't seen in a long while.
Joe Root gets a leg stump half-volley from Asitha Fernando and he flicks it for a single to move to 98.
How's stat?!published at 05:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statisticianJoe Root has played out just two maidens in the series.
Image source, Sri Lanka CricketEng 153-4published at 47 overs
A single is all that comes off the over, but it does mean that Joe Root keeps the strike.
Postpublished at 05:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Joe Root, on 96, faces up to Suranga Lakmal.
Image source, Sri Lanka CricketPostpublished at 05:47 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
In case you missed this Tuffers masterclass yesterday...
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter postEng 151-4published at 46 overs
Ooft! Short from Embuldeniya and it spins back into Root, almost landing on his big toe, before Jos Buttler sends a top-edgy sort of sweep out into the deep for four.
Postpublished at 05:44 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021
Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match SpecialThe timing there was immaculate.