Root, Embuldeniya shine on a tight gripping day

Posted - 2021-01-24T18:16:15+06:00
Updated - 2021-01-24T18:16:15+06:00

England's short outing in Sri Lanka is heading towards the conclusion, as the second and final Test of the series has started at Galle. Sri Lankan skipper
won the toss and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 381 runs in their first innings.
In reply, England had a shocking start to their first innings as both the openers Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley were dismissed cheaply by Embuldeniya. Following the early wickets, the skipper Joe Root along with Jonny Bairstow took the visitors towards the recovery. By the end of day two, England were 98/2.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root started the proceedings on day three. But the wicket-keeper batsman had a short stay in the crease and got dismissed for 28 runs. Following him, Daniel Lawrence returned back to the pavilion for just 3 runs.
On the other hand, the skipper Joe Root carried the start he got and converted it as his 19th Test century. Jos Buttler accompanied the skipper for a 97 runs partnership and brought up a half-century. Dom Bess also had a decent partnership with the skipper and scored 32.
Closing to the stumps on day three, England skipper Joe Root ran himself out for the second time in the series and missed a deserved double-ton. And the dismissal made the conclusion to day's play and England were 339/9, trailing by 42 runs.
Match Summary:
1st Innings:
Toss:
Sri Lanka opted to bat first
Sri Lanka:
381-all out [ Angelo Mathews 110, Niroshan Dickwella 92, James Anderson 6/40 ]
England:
339/9 [ Joe Root 186, Jos Buttler 55, Lasith Embuldeniya 7/132 ]