Superb Stokes sparks England fightback before lunch

Keaton Jennings scored a second-innings century in the first Test but was unable to continue that form as he nicked Lakmal (1-44) to Niroshan Dickwella for just one. Leach took 3-70, and Adil Rashid 3-75. "Going into the fourth innings, hopefully the pitch will have broken up more".

"We had a chat and we're a little bit disappointed that they've got a lead", said Leach.

Silva, Karunaratne and De Silva will regret not converting to triple figures, as was the case with Curran and Buttler before them.

Sri Lanka's Roshen Silva plays a shot as England's wicketkeeper Ben Foakes watches during the second day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018.

Meanwhile, England nearly had a ideal game in Galle.

England captain Joe Root has written to thank travelling fans who were relocated from their accommodation in Kandy to make way for the team during the ongoing Test against Sri Lanka. The visiting side have opted to go without Jonny Bairstow who has successfully recovered from his injury. "I could have been more accurate", he said (though he was the most accurate of the trio.) "You need to be patient on a wicket like that and I could have done that better". "Jonny is a fine keeper and what he's done over the last couple of years has been exceptional".

"It was crucial. You saw in the evening how much it spun".

"It's a great opportunity for Ben to show his ability, and I think you've got to reward a performance like last week".

The momentum swung back in England's favour, however, when Karunaratne fell to a moment of brilliance in the field by Ben Stokes, who sprang from gully, picked up the ball at point, and threw down the stumps with only one to aim at. Stokes managed scores of 6 and 62 in the last match. Curran shared an invaluable 60-run-stand with James Anderson to take England to 285.

'They should have it within them to bat a decent number of overs and then it's over to Sri Lanka.

Leach completed a memorable day by opening the batting in England's second innings and playing out the last over as a nightwatchman.

How vital will Roshen Silva's knock prove?

"It was a big surprise for us to hear of Cricket Sri Lanka's booking issue and the threat that the match itself might be moved altogether". Do join us for it at 1000 local (0430 GMT). Leach was the most impressive as he finished with a three fer. They bowled extremely well to the top order but struggled to finish the innings off.

The first innings scorecard of both Sri Lanka and England looks nearly identical to each other.

"With the [new] hard ball it felt it was doing things a little bit quicker".