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

  1. Eng 257-6published at 85 overs

    Another sharp turner, this time from Dilruwan Perera, beats Dom Bess as he stretches forward in defence.

    The next delivery comes off the bat and bobbles behind Bess, before there's a very half-hearted appeal for caught behind from the final ball of the over. Even Dickwella wasn't too interested in that one.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Text us on 81111

    My worry with Curran is that if he keeps being picked as a number seven dasher and new-ball specialist, he'll end up averaging 25 with bat and 45 with ball. I think he needs to go back to Surrey, play a whole season of county cricket and work out what he wants to be, be that a top six batsman or front-line bowler

    George

  3. Postpublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    This is going to be tricky for England. That kicked off a perfect length and it seemed to gather pace off the pitch.

  4. Eng 256-6published at 84 overs

    Trail by 125

    Another flighted delivery spins past Dom Bess' outside edge from Lasith Embuldeniya. There are bits coming out of the pitch now, huge puffs of dust as the ball spins out of the rough.

  5. Postpublished at 09:36 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    I think I've just witnessed a new shot. That is incredible. I don't know what to call it. A left-handed back cut?

  6. Postpublished at 09:36 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    I've never seen that before.

  7. Eng 255-6published at 83 overs

    Root 139, Bess 1

    What?!

    Joe Root shapes to reverse sweep then changes his mind and ends up with the bat half-twisted in his hands, somehow managing to dab the ball to short third man with a left-handed cut. I honestly have no idea what that is. A really late cut? He's middled it as well!

  8. Postpublished at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Here's Dilruwan Perera with a shiny new ball.

  9. Eng 252-6published at 82 overs

    Lasith Embuldeniya rips a delivery past Dom Bess' outside edge to welcome the England man to the crease.

  10. Postpublished at 09:31 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Dom Bess will face the first ball after tea.

  11. Postpublished at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

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  12. Postpublished at 09:24 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Russel Arnold
    Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    To survive on this pitch you need to use your feet, to try and keep the bowler away from that rough area.

    In the past we used to fake a defence, and take it on our bodies, but it has gone out of the day because of DRS.

  13. Postpublished at 09:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Possibly controversial opinion, but I find the whole 'Fab Four' debate really tedious. It's exactly like the tennis GOAT debate, but somehow even duller. Just enjoy who you enjoy.

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:20 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    #bbccricket

    Jock: Current top 4 in the Test Championship is Smith, Labuschagne, Stokes and Root... does that settle it?

  15. Postpublished at 09:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Russel Arnold
    Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    There is a lot of rough outside the left-hander's off stump. The pitch is now crumbling and you really have to be smart in where you are trying to attack the batsmen.

  16. Postpublished at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Thanks, Matthew.

    I'll be honest, I spent a lot of that session discussing the scariest kids TV shows with some friends of mine, after I stumbled across a video of Mr Blobby and was horrified by it. That was traumatic for me as a youngster.

  17. Postpublished at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    An entertaining session. The partnership between Root and Buttler was excellent but Sri Lanka have chipped away.

    Amy Lofthouse will take you to the close. Don't miss it!

  18. Postpublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Joe Root is keeping England in this Test match. He will know that the last four batsmen could be seen off very quickly.

  19. Tea - Eng 252-6published at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Trail by 129

    Joe Root has to wander off on his own on 137 not out.

    England are in trouble but where would they be without him?

  20. Postpublished at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    That is tremendous bowling. As a player, you are expecting it to spin back. That's why it is more difficult as a batter to face the spinner when the ball is brand new.