ENG Vs SL Test: Joe Root keeps England stay on course

At stumps on day three, England's score reads 339/9, still trailing the hosts by 42 runs

Galle: Joe Root’s knock of 186 helped England stay on course against Sri Lanka on day three of the ongoing second Test on Sunday here at the Galle International Stadium.

At stumps on day three, England’s score reads 339/9, still trailing the hosts by 42 runs. For the visitors, Jack Leach is currently unbeaten on 0. During the course of this innings, Root surpassed Kevin Pietersen to become the fifth-highest run-scorer for England in Test matches. Of the nine England wickets that have fallen, seven have been taken by Lasith Embuldeniya.

Resuming day three at 98/2, England got off to a bad start as the visitors lost the wickets of Jonny Bairstow (28) and Dan Lawrence (3) in quick succession and the side was reduced to 132/4. Both the batters were sent back to the pavilion by Lasith Embuldeniya.

Jos Buttler then joined skipper Joe Root in the middle and the duo tried to retrieve the innings for the visitors. Both batsmen ensured that the side did not lose more wickets before the lunch break and their partnership also saw Root bringing up his 19th Test ton. At the lunch break, England’s score read 181/4 with Root and Buttler batting on 105 and 30 respectively.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 381 vs England 339/9 (Joe Root 186, Lasith Embuldeniya 7/132).