Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne hit half-centuries to stage a fightback for Sri Lanka before bad light brought an end to the third day`s action in the first Test against England at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

At stumps, Sri Lanka`s score read 156/2 with Thirimanne and Lasith Embuldeniya unbeaten on 76 and 0 respectively. The Dinesh Chandimal-led side is trailing by 130 runs in their second innings with eight wickets in the bag.

Staring their second innings, the Sri Lanka openers displayed a contrasting show from the first essay and held the ground strong till the 37th over.

Perera scored his fifth Test half-century and also his third fifty-plus score in his last five Test innings to give Sri Lanka a good start. A solid batting performance by the openers saw Sri Lanka going to tea at 90/0.

However, in the third session, England finally got the breakthrough as Curran broke the 101-run opening stand after dismissing Perera. Meanwhile, Thirimanne continued his fine form and scored his seventh Test fifty to stabilise the hosts` innings. He and Kusal Mendis stitched a 54-run partnership for the second wicket before Jack Leach bamboozled the latter to reduce Sri Lanka to 155/2.

Earlier, England began day three with skipper Joe Root in fine form having hit his 18th ton in the longest format of the game on Friday.

However, Asitha Fernando came firing on all cylinders and dismissed Jos Buttler (30) and Sam Curran (0) in successive deliveries. Dom Bess (0) departed after an unfortunate run out as England slipped from 372/4 to 382/7.

Holding the other end strong, Root hit his fourth double century in the longest format of the game and became the seventh England batsman to score 8,000 Test runs.Root also became the second-fastest England batsman to achieve the feat surpassing former opener Alastair Cook. But wickets kept falling at regular intervals and England was bundled out for 421.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 135 and 156/2 (Lahiru Thirimanne 76*; Sam Curran 1-25); England 421 (Joe Root 228; Dilruwan Perera 4-109) (ANI)

Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne hit half-centuries to stage a fightback for Sri Lanka before bad light brought an end to the third day`s action in the first Test against England at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

Kusal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne hit half-centuries to stage a fightback for Sri Lanka before bad light brought an end to the third day`s action in the first Test against England at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. At stumps, Sri Lanka`s score read 156/2 with Thirimanne and Lasith Embuldeniya unbeaten on 76 and 0 respectively. The Dinesh Chandimal-led side is trailing by 130 runs in their second innings with eight wickets in the bag. Staring their second innings, the Sri Lanka openers displayed a contrasting show from the first essay and held the ground strong till the 37th over. Perera scored his fifth Test half-century and also his third fifty-plus score in his last five Test innings to give Sri Lanka a good start. A solid batting performance by the openers saw Sri Lanka going to tea at 90/0. However, in the third session, England finally got the breakthrough as Curran broke the 101-run opening stand after dismissing Perera. Meanwhile, Thirimanne continued his fine form and scored his seventh Test fifty to stabilise the hosts` innings. He and Kusal Mendis stitched a 54-run partnership for the second wicket before Jack Leach bamboozled the latter to reduce Sri Lanka to 155/2. Earlier, England began day three with skipper Joe Root in fine form having hit his 18th ton in the longest format of the game on Friday. However, Asitha Fernando came firing on all cylinders and dismissed Jos Buttler (30) and Sam Curran (0) in successive deliveries. Dom Bess (0) departed after an unfortunate run out as England slipped from 372/4 to 382/7. Holding the other end strong, Root hit his fourth double century in the longest format of the game and became the seventh England batsman to score 8,000 Test runs.Root also became the second-fastest England batsman to achieve the feat surpassing former opener Alastair Cook. But wickets kept falling at regular intervals and England was bundled out for 421. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 135 and 156/2 (Lahiru Thirimanne 76*; Sam Curran 1-25); England 421 (Joe Root 228; Dilruwan Perera 4-109) (ANI)

SL vs Eng: Perera, Thirimanne keep hosts in game after Root''s double ton

Captain Joe Root Friday said he wants England to be "ruthless" after his unbeaten 168 took the team's lead to 185 over Sri Lanka on a rain-hit second day of the opening Test.

England were 320 for four when rain halted play in Galle. Root and Dan Lawrence, who scored 73 on his Test debut, built a 173-run partnership after the tourists resumed the day on 127-2.

Root, who is batting with Jos Buttler (7), hit his 18th Test ton and kept up the pressure on the home bowlers despite losing overnight partner Jonny Bairstow for 47 early in the day.

"I think the things could happen very quickly as the game moves forward, generally does here. It is really important that we make the most of this first innings lead that we have got now," Root told reporters.

"We will be really ruthless. I have spoken about this ahead of the series and make it count and put them under pressure. That way try and bat just once."

After a full opening day in the empty stadium in Galle, rain started falling just before the start of the second day and wiped out the final session.

Root started the day on 66 and passed 100 soon after lunch with a single off Dilruwan Perera. He raised his bat and hugged Lawrence.

It was the star batsman's highest Test score in more than a year after going through 2020 without a century and said he felt "good" to make it count.

"Generally when I get a hundred I make it really count," Root, who has a Test best of 254 in 98 Tests, said. "I have got a good record past 100. Tomorrow I will try to make another really big one and drive the game forward from there."

He added, "I felt I really got in a good mindset throughout this game so far. Will try and take that forward into the rest of this winter tour and beyond."

England will tour India for a full series including four Tests after the two matches in Sri Lanka as part of a hectic cricket calender in 2021.

<h2>- Debut special -</h2>

Lawrence, 23, stood firm with his captain, displaying confidence against the spinners as he brought up his fifty in 95 balls with five fours and one six.

Lawrence, who plays for English county Essex, survived two dropped catches on 60 and 68 and finally fell to Perera.

"Very impressed, I thought he played magnificently well," Root said of the Essex batsman.

"Showed exactly why he deserves an opportunity to play and it's the start of something very special for him."

Earlier Bairstow became left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya's third victim, caught at gully. The wicket ended a 114-run third-wicket stand for the tourists.

Off-spinner Dom Bess returned career-best figures of 5-30 to help skittle Sri Lanka out for 135 -- the lowest first-innings score at the venue -- in two sessions on Thursday after the hosts elected to bat.

"Obviously it's been a tough couple of days for us and probably we are a long way behind the game," Sri Lankan fast bowling coach David Saker said.

"The best way we can start tomorrow is get these six wickets as quickly as we can. I think the opposition put us in a lot of pressure. I think Joe Root batted very well and the young kid on debut was very good as well."

The two-match series has resumed after being aborted last March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Captain Joe Root Friday said he wants England to be "ruthless" after his unbeaten 168 took the team's lead to 185 over Sri Lanka on a rain-hit second day of the opening Test.

Captain Joe Root Friday said he wants England to be "ruthless" after his unbeaten 168 took the team's lead to 185 over Sri Lanka on a rain-hit second day of the opening Test. England were 320 for four when rain halted play in Galle. Root and Dan Lawrence, who scored 73 on his Test debut, built a 173-run partnership after the tourists resumed the day on 127-2. Root, who is batting with Jos Buttler (7), hit his 18th Test ton and kept up the pressure on the home bowlers despite losing overnight partner Jonny Bairstow for 47 early in the day. "I think the things could happen very quickly as the game moves forward, generally does here. It is really important that we make the most of this first innings lead that we have got now," Root told reporters. "We will be really ruthless. I have spoken about this ahead of the series and make it count and put them under pressure. That way try and bat just once." After a full opening day in the empty stadium in Galle, rain started falling just before the start of the second day and wiped out the final session. Root started the day on 66 and passed 100 soon after lunch with a single off Dilruwan Perera. He raised his bat and hugged Lawrence. It was the star batsman's highest Test score in more than a year after going through 2020 without a century and said he felt "good" to make it count. "Generally when I get a hundred I make it really count," Root, who has a Test best of 254 in 98 Tests, said. "I have got a good record past 100. Tomorrow I will try to make another really big one and drive the game forward from there." He added, "I felt I really got in a good mindset throughout this game so far. Will try and take that forward into the rest of this winter tour and beyond." England will tour India for a full series including four Tests after the two matches in Sri Lanka as part of a hectic cricket calender in 2021. - Debut special - Lawrence, 23, stood firm with his captain, displaying confidence against the spinners as he brought up his fifty in 95 balls with five fours and one six. Lawrence, who plays for English county Essex, survived two dropped catches on 60 and 68 and finally fell to Perera. "Very impressed, I thought he played magnificently well," Root said of the Essex batsman. "Showed exactly why he deserves an opportunity to play and it's the start of something very special for him." Earlier Bairstow became left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya's third victim, caught at gully. The wicket ended a 114-run third-wicket stand for the tourists. Off-spinner Dom Bess returned career-best figures of 5-30 to help skittle Sri Lanka out for 135 -- the lowest first-innings score at the venue -- in two sessions on Thursday after the hosts elected to bat. "Obviously it's been a tough couple of days for us and probably we are a long way behind the game," Sri Lankan fast bowling coach David Saker said. "The best way we can start tomorrow is get these six wickets as quickly as we can. I think the opposition put us in a lot of pressure. I think Joe Root batted very well and the young kid on debut was very good as well." The two-match series has resumed after being aborted last March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

'Ruthless' Root hits first ton in over a year

England paceman Stuart Broad led an inspirational bowling attack to rattle Sri Lanka's top-order after the hosts elected to bat in the opening Test on Thursday.

The hosts suffered an early jolt when skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was ruled out of the first of the two Tests in Galle with a fractured thumb and Dinesh Chandimal took charge.

Angelo Mathews, on 17, and stand-in-captain Chandimal, on 22, put on an unbroken 40 after the early wickets to steer Sri Lanka to lunch at 65 for three.

Board struck twice in an over to send back opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who had scored four, and Kusal Mendis for nought.

The left-handed Thirimanne fell into a trap after he was caught at leg slip while Mendis edged behind to record his fourth successive duck.

Spin was introduced in the 11th over and Dom Bess with his second ball accounted for the wicket of Kusal Perera for 20 when the batsman top edged a reverse sweep to England captain Joe Root at first slip.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka had slumped to 25 for three but Mathews and Chandimal then stood firm as England persisted with spinners Bess and Jack Leach bowling in tandem in the final phase of the morning session.

Chandimal survived a dropped catch on 22 by Dan Lawrence, who was making his debut, in the covers off Leach's left-arm spin.

The series resumed behind closed doors after being aborted in the early phase of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

England paceman Stuart Broad led an inspirational bowling attack to rattle Sri Lanka's top-order after the hosts elected to bat in the opening Test on Thursday. The hosts suffered an early jolt when skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was ruled out of the first of the two Tests in Galle with a fractured thumb and Dinesh Chandimal took charge.

England paceman Stuart Broad led an inspirational bowling attack to rattle Sri Lanka's top-order after the hosts elected to bat in the opening Test on Thursday. The hosts suffered an early jolt when skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was ruled out of the first of the two Tests in Galle with a fractured thumb and Dinesh Chandimal took charge. Angelo Mathews, on 17, and stand-in-captain Chandimal, on 22, put on an unbroken 40 after the early wickets to steer Sri Lanka to lunch at 65 for three. Board struck twice in an over to send back opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who had scored four, and Kusal Mendis for nought. The left-handed Thirimanne fell into a trap after he was caught at leg slip while Mendis edged behind to record his fourth successive duck. Spin was introduced in the 11th over and Dom Bess with his second ball accounted for the wicket of Kusal Perera for 20 when the batsman top edged a reverse sweep to England captain Joe Root at first slip. Sri Lanka had slumped to 25 for three but Mathews and Chandimal then stood firm as England persisted with spinners Bess and Jack Leach bowling in tandem in the final phase of the morning session. Chandimal survived a dropped catch on 22 by Dan Lawrence, who was making his debut, in the covers off Leach's left-arm spin. The series resumed behind closed doors after being aborted in the early phase of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Broad strikes twice as Sri Lanka reach to 62-3 at lunch

Former England captain Michael Vaughan called Sri Lanka's batting performance against Joe Root and Co. as 'utter garbage' after the hosts were bowled out for 135 on Day 1 of the first Test in Galle.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-anyone-reach-to-800-test-wickets-sri-lankan-legend-muttiah-muralitharan-opines-356699" hreflang="en">Will anyone reach to 800 Test wickets? Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan opines</a>

England spinner Dom Bess' second Test five-wicket haul and Stuart Broad's three wickets bundled out Sri Lanka's batting order cheaply.&nbsp;

"Those 46.1 overs have been the worst possible advertisement for Test Cricket. It’s supposed to be the pinnacle, that was utter garbage from Sri Lanka," Vaughan posted on social media.&nbsp;

"England have been very, very good so far today. The complete opposite can be said of Sri Lanka, the batting has been atrocious."

While speaking on BBC Test Match Special, the former England captain added: "I don’t think the pitch has been treacherous. It’s turned a little and it’s stopping a little bit."&nbsp;

"You only have to look at the wickets – they have been a lot of poor strokes. Too many players today have taken on the high-risk option."

Bess, who scalped five wickets and conceded just 30 runs, admitted that it was not his best day with the ball.&nbsp;

"We have put ourselves in a really good position. Rooty and Jonny batted really well because the wicket started to spin," he said.&nbsp;

"I didn’t feel like I bowled very well. I felt I was quite nervous. I hadn’t bowled since the Test matches last summer in a game."&nbsp;

"I was pretty nervous and didn’t feel I bowled as well as I know I can. That is cricket isn’t it? There might be days bowl exceptionally well and go 1-100."

Sri Lankan coach Mickey Arthur was seen upset during the Lankan innings which became the talking point on social media.&nbsp;

Former England captain Michael Vaughan called Sri Lanka's batting performance against Joe Root and Co. as 'utter garbage' after the hosts were bowled out for 135 on Day 1 of the first Test in Galle.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan called Sri Lanka's batting performance against Joe Root and Co. as 'utter garbage' after the hosts were bowled out for 135 on Day 1 of the first Test in Galle. ALSO READ: Will anyone reach to 800 Test wickets? Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan opines England spinner Dom Bess' second Test five-wicket haul and Stuart Broad's three wickets bundled out Sri Lanka's batting order cheaply. "Those 46.1 overs have been the worst possible advertisement for Test Cricket. It’s supposed to be the pinnacle, that was utter garbage from Sri Lanka," Vaughan posted on social media. "England have been very, very good so far today. The complete opposite can be said of Sri Lanka, the batting has been atrocious." While speaking on BBC Test Match Special, the former England captain added: "I don’t think the pitch has been treacherous. It’s turned a little and it’s stopping a little bit." "You only have to look at the wickets – they have been a lot of poor strokes. Too many players today have taken on the high-risk option." Bess, who scalped five wickets and conceded just 30 runs, admitted that it was not his best day with the ball. "We have put ourselves in a really good position. Rooty and Jonny batted really well because the wicket started to spin," he said. "I didn’t feel like I bowled very well. I felt I was quite nervous. I hadn’t bowled since the Test matches last summer in a game." "I was pretty nervous and didn’t feel I bowled as well as I know I can. That is cricket isn’t it? There might be days bowl exceptionally well and go 1-100." Sri Lankan coach Mickey Arthur was seen upset during the Lankan innings which became the talking point on social media.

'Utter garbage': Michael Vaughan blasts Sri Lanka's batting performance against England

An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test on Thursday.

Rob Lewis, who flew out last March before the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus, and decided to stay until England returned, said he was "very frustrated" by the turn of events.

Lewis was ordered off the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, a vantage point which overlooks the city's cricket ground, just after the national anthems. No spectators are allowed inside the stadium.

"I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out," Lewis told AFP.

"At least I managed to sing 'Jerusalem'," he added.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, Lewis has worked remotely as a web designer and done stints as a nightclub DJ.

He visited Galle Fort on Saturday to map out his fallback as it became clear that no spectators will be allowed at the ground.

Lewis said he was warned in advance that he would only get restricted access to the ramparts. Three banners that he put up were also removed.

"I am going to see the police (chief)," he said. "All I want to do is watch the match."

"They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That's all," Lewis added.&nbsp;

"There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again."

Sri Lankan police banned all visitors from the 16th-century ramparts, a favourite venue for locals who want to avoid paying for tickets, officially for security reasons.

But a few journalists were allowed to cover the match from the fort.

Fans and media were barred from the stadium because of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 50,000 people and killed nearly 250 in the South Asian nation.

Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine scaled the ramparts to keep up his record of covering every Test in Sri Lanka since 2000.&nbsp;

"I want to maintain my record even if they don't allow reporters to the grounds," he said.

Soldiers and security personnel in hazmat suits were posted around the stadium and checked the few people allowed in.

An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test on Thursday.

An England cricket fan who waited 10 months in Sri Lanka to watch his team play was ushered away by police before a ball had been bowled in the first Test on Thursday. Rob Lewis, who flew out last March before the original tour was aborted over the coronavirus, and decided to stay until England returned, said he was "very frustrated" by the turn of events. Lewis was ordered off the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, a vantage point which overlooks the city's cricket ground, just after the national anthems. No spectators are allowed inside the stadium. "I am very frustrated. I waited 10 months to watch this match and the police have kicked me out," Lewis told AFP. "At least I managed to sing 'Jerusalem'," he added. During his stay in Sri Lanka, Lewis has worked remotely as a web designer and done stints as a nightclub DJ. He visited Galle Fort on Saturday to map out his fallback as it became clear that no spectators will be allowed at the ground. Lewis said he was warned in advance that he would only get restricted access to the ramparts. Three banners that he put up were also removed. "I am going to see the police (chief)," he said. "All I want to do is watch the match." "They gave me half-an-hour to put up three banners and go. That's all," Lewis added. "There will be another nine days of play and I hope I will be able to get permission to go up there again." Sri Lankan police banned all visitors from the 16th-century ramparts, a favourite venue for locals who want to avoid paying for tickets, officially for security reasons. But a few journalists were allowed to cover the match from the fort. Fans and media were barred from the stadium because of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 50,000 people and killed nearly 250 in the South Asian nation. Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine scaled the ramparts to keep up his record of covering every Test in Sri Lanka since 2000. "I want to maintain my record even if they don't allow reporters to the grounds," he said. Soldiers and security personnel in hazmat suits were posted around the stadium and checked the few people allowed in.

England cricket fan waits 10 months for Sri Lanka Test - and gets kicked out

Dark clouds and the threat of rain caused doubts for England captain Joe Root in choosing his side for the opening Test in Sri Lanka starting on Thursday.

The southern coastal city of Galle has seen several days of wet weather and more is predicted for the first of the two Tests, leaving the tourists wondering whether to use more pace on the usually spin friendly wicket.

"We have to consider conditions again, we've had quite a lot of rain over the last 24 hours, so we'll have another look at the wicket and make sure we're really clear on the XI we want to go into the game with," Root told reporters on Wednesday.

England are resuming a Sri Lankan tour that was aborted in March as the coronavirus pandemic fallout spread.

Root, who led England to a 3-0 sweep in Sri Lanka in 2018, said his batsmen should be ready to adapt on spin-friendly South Asian tracks as they look to repeat their success.&nbsp;

"That's one of the big challenges of coming and playing in Sri Lanka, and in the sub-continent, is that the rhythm of the game is so different to playing in English conditions," he said.

"There is a lot more spin, a lot more double spin and that's part and parcel of playing in this part of the world.

"Last time we felt like whoever adapted quickest and grabbed those big moments in the game won. And hopefully we can repeat that this time around."

<h2>- 'Reverse swing, hostile spell' -</h2>

However the star batsman said seamers could become a weapon in the wet conditions.

"Throughout the winter we will definitely try and exploit that as a tactic in these conditions, whether it is reverse swing or a slightly more hostile spell of bowling," said Root.

"I do think with the weather around that we have had – we have had quite a lot of rain and there is a lot of moisture around – so seam might play a bigger part."

James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Olly Stone and Mark Wood lead the visitors' pace choices for the first Test.

Chris Woakes is unlikely to play after being in isolation because of his close contact with Moeen Ali who tested positive for Covid-19 and is still under quarantine.

There are six spinners in the England party -- Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen in the main squad, supplemented by reserves Mason Crane, Matt Parkinson and Amar Virdi.

Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne praised the opposition spinners but believes the hosts have learnt from their past mistakes.

"We never underestimate their bowlers," said Karunaratne.

"We know how the conditions are and have a few plans against them. We play our normal, fearless game. We have learnt a lot from the previous series and we will not do that mistake again."

Karunaratne also held back his team for the game but said Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal will play.

Dark clouds and the threat of rain caused doubts for England captain Joe Root in choosing his side for the opening Test in Sri Lanka starting on Thursday. The southern coastal city of Galle has seen several days of wet weather and more is predicted for the first of the two Tests, leaving the tourists wondering whether to use more pace on the usually spin friendly wicket.

Dark clouds and the threat of rain caused doubts for England captain Joe Root in choosing his side for the opening Test in Sri Lanka starting on Thursday. The southern coastal city of Galle has seen several days of wet weather and more is predicted for the first of the two Tests, leaving the tourists wondering whether to use more pace on the usually spin friendly wicket. "We have to consider conditions again, we've had quite a lot of rain over the last 24 hours, so we'll have another look at the wicket and make sure we're really clear on the XI we want to go into the game with," Root told reporters on Wednesday. England are resuming a Sri Lankan tour that was aborted in March as the coronavirus pandemic fallout spread. Root, who led England to a 3-0 sweep in Sri Lanka in 2018, said his batsmen should be ready to adapt on spin-friendly South Asian tracks as they look to repeat their success. "That's one of the big challenges of coming and playing in Sri Lanka, and in the sub-continent, is that the rhythm of the game is so different to playing in English conditions," he said. "There is a lot more spin, a lot more double spin and that's part and parcel of playing in this part of the world. "Last time we felt like whoever adapted quickest and grabbed those big moments in the game won. And hopefully we can repeat that this time around." - 'Reverse swing, hostile spell' - However the star batsman said seamers could become a weapon in the wet conditions. "Throughout the winter we will definitely try and exploit that as a tactic in these conditions, whether it is reverse swing or a slightly more hostile spell of bowling," said Root. "I do think with the weather around that we have had – we have had quite a lot of rain and there is a lot of moisture around – so seam might play a bigger part." James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Olly Stone and Mark Wood lead the visitors' pace choices for the first Test. Chris Woakes is unlikely to play after being in isolation because of his close contact with Moeen Ali who tested positive for Covid-19 and is still under quarantine. There are six spinners in the England party -- Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen in the main squad, supplemented by reserves Mason Crane, Matt Parkinson and Amar Virdi. Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne praised the opposition spinners but believes the hosts have learnt from their past mistakes. "We never underestimate their bowlers," said Karunaratne. "We know how the conditions are and have a few plans against them. We play our normal, fearless game. We have learnt a lot from the previous series and we will not do that mistake again." Karunaratne also held back his team for the game but said Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal will play.

Galle rain keeps England's Root guessing on Sri Lanka selection

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