Twitter Reactions: England fractionally ahead to trump Lanka in Pallekele

Dilruwan Perera was the last wicket to fall on the day with Dickwella batting on 27.

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury

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England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

With one day remaining in the second Test in Pallekele, all three results are possible in the match between Sri Lanka and England. Had rain not played spoilsport in the final session of the fourth day’s play, a result could’ve been possible today itself. For the time being, the Lankans require 75 runs to draw level while the Brits need three wickets to clean sweep their opponent.

Karunaratne steadies the ship

The Three Lions started the day with a lead of 278 runs and they could add 22 more runs to give the hosts a target of 301 to track down. While Ben Foakes remained not out on 65, James Anderson smacked three boundaries to propel England’s score. The Islanders didn’t get off to the best of starts by any stretch of the imagination and they were reduced to 26/3 in the eighth over.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach wreaked havoc in the top order by dismissing Kaushal Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis in single figures. However, Dimuth Karunaratne put his head down to score his second half-century. Most importantly, the left-handed batsman carved a valuable partnership of 77 runs with Angelo Mathews that brought the home team well and truly back into the match.

Mathews tries his heart out

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid broke the stand, dismissing the ominous-looking Karunaratne for 57 runs from 96 deliveries. Nevertheless, Mathews took charge as the senior partner and built a 73-run stand with Roshen Silva, who also scored a patient 95-ball 37. Silva was nipped out by Moeen Ali in the 55th over. Niroshan Dickwella joined Mathews in the middle with Lanka needing 125 runs.

Both threatened to completely take the match away from Joe Root and Co. Nonetheless, Moeen struck a body blow for the Lankans with Mathews’ wicket in the 64th over. The batsman opted for the Decision Review System (DRS) but had to go after scoring 88 runs with six boundaries. Dilruwan Perera was the last wicket to fall on the day with Dickwella batting on 27 from 30 deliveries.

Here is how Twitter reacted

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