Sri Lanka require simply 125 extra runs with 9 wickets in hand for a primary Check victory over England in a decade after the hosts suffered a batting collapse on day three at The Oval.
Chasing 219, Sri Lanka closed on 94-1 from solely 15 overs with Pathum Nissanka main the cost with an unbeaten 53 off simply 44 balls.
England had earned themselves a 62-run first-innings lead within the morning session after dismissing Sri Lanka first time round for 263. However they then collapsed to 82-7 and had been indebted to Jamie Smith’s counterattacking 67 to publish one thing of a defensible rating as they had been bowled out for 156 in 34 overs, Lahiru Kumara (4-21) and Vishwa Fernando (3-40) main the star Sri Lankan bowlers.
The vacationers’ openers Dimuth Karunaratne (8) and Nissanka made a speedy begin to their reply, including 39 runs for the primary wicket earlier than the previous was caught and bowled by Chris Woakes (1-32).
It was transient respite as Kusal Mendis (30no) joined Nissanka in assault mode and Sri Lanka shall be eyeing up a primary Check win over England since June 2014
England are searching for their first clear sweep summer time in 20 years after they beat the West Indies 3-0 earlier this summer time and at the moment lead Sri Lanka 2-0 after profitable at Previous Trafford and Lord’s respectively.
Extra to comply with…
Watch day 4 of the third and remaining Check between England and Sri Lanka, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 10.15am on Monday September 8 (first ball, 11am).
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and shall be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
