For a good part of the first half an hour of England’s run-chase, it seemed like Sri Lanka could have a sniff at an improbable win, defending a mere 73. Not even in their best period with the bat, had they found themselves such close to parity with England as they did when the visitors lost their openers - Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley - early for the second time in the game to Lasith Embuldeniya, followed by Joe Root’s attempt to pick a quick single resulting in a run out, agencies report.
At 14 for 3, with the ball turning sharply and inducing edges, England were left with ample reasons to worry. Dan Lawrence and Jonny Bairstow, however, played out the last half an hour safely, helping their side to 38 for 3 at stumps, 36 shy of taking a 1-nil lead in the two-match series.
For as long as Sri Lanka were in pursuit of clearing the 130-run deficit they had carried on to the fourth day, they looked untroubled, much like it was the case with their batting on the third day.
Even though there was ample turn, the slow nature of the surface didn’t threaten batsmen enough.