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

Live Reporting

Amy Lofthouse and Matthew Henry

  1. This should be the last over of the day.

  2. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    Lahiru Thirimanne is the first Sri Lankan to take five catches in an innings. He is the second person to do it against England.

    It is the 14th instance of a non-wicketkeeper taking five catches - nobody has ever taken six. Nine of the 14 occasions have happened since 2012.

  3. Eng 339-8

    Root 186, Leach 0

    Please, end this, and let Joe Root have a long lie down in an ice bath. He's been batting for eight hours and 15 minutes.

  4. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Nick Powell: Stupidity to move Wood up the order, has only ever got runs at a high strike and Leach known for his defence. Ridiculous decision with the end of the day approaching.

  5. Eng 338-8

    Jack Leach sees out an over of Dilruwan Perera, with about six minutes left in the day.

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    #bbccricket

    Si Lomas: No issue with Wood going for that shot, still have to score and get as close to parity as possible, playing shots was better option than defending I'd say, he just didn't execute it right.

  7. Eng 337-8

    Jack Leach joins Joe Root. Lahiru Embuldeniya, incidentally, has 7-131.

  8. Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    That shot came from absolutely nowhere. It was only his sixth ball, but he'd batted really sensibly in the first five balls.

    It is a strange shot.

  9. wicket

    WICKET

    Wood c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 1 (Eng 337-8)

    Mark. Mate.

    I adore Mark Wood but this is a very odd shot choice when you're seven wickets down and you're batting with your captain, who is unbeaten on 183, and there's 10 minutes left. Wood goes for a huge, gallumphing slow sweep and top edges it into the air, with Lahiru Thirimanne moving across and taking a very good catch, stretching to his left.

  10. Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It is set up beautifully. I think it is going to be another really good game of cricket.

    It is going to be a last session game I reckon.

  11. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    Joe Root has taken out Geoffrey Boycott, Kevin Pietersen and David Gower in this Test now. Not a bad trio to overtake!

    RootSri Lanka Cricket

  12. Eng 336-7

    Mark Wood and Joe Root are happy enough to keep the strike ticking over.

  13. Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It was a really good partnership. The support that Joe Root has had from Dom Bess has been excellent.

    Bess dug his heel in and England are right in the game. The pressure will switch to Sri Lanka at some stage tomorrow and how they are going to bat.

  14. Eng 333-7

    Mark Wood sees off the final ball of the over.

  15. ouch!

    Joe Root is struggling here.

    He's been treated for cramp but he's suddenly rolling around holding his bat. He has been on the field for an extraordinary amount of time and it is hot and draining. He gets up to jog off whatever is ailing him.

  16. Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It is a carbon copy of Dan Lawrence's wicket really. Out of nowhere Lasith Embuldeniya has got the ball to bounce a little bit more and it disturbs the surface and it's carried above waist height.

    Dom Bess played really well. He showed great character and fight. That sums up England's day - they have just dug in there and dragged themselves back in the game and they are going to have to do more of that in the next four games against India.

  17. Interestingly, Mark Wood has come out, which is probably the right call. I'd wager he's the best of the three yet to come.

  18. wicket

    WICKET

    Bess c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 32 (SL 333-7)

    Now that is out!

    Almost a carbon copy of the one that was just turned down, accompanied by a big rush of dust from the pitch. The ball turns, takes the outside edge of Dom Bess' gloves, and then flies to Lahiru Thirimanne at slip.

  19. Sir Alastair Cook
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I don't think there is any doubt there - it's hit the ground.

  20. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    It is a strange one because TV doesn't always do them justice.