Twitter Reactions: Root, Burns and Foakes bring England back in the match

England ended the second day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka, being on the backfoot courtesy of the 46-run trial. However, their batsmen put their best foot forward on the third day and took their team take a lead of 278 runs by the close of play. They have one wicket remaining and have the chance of adding some useful runs tomorrow morning.

Burns and Root set the platform

Jack Leech, who came out to bat as a night-watchman couldn’t survive long and he was picked up by Dilruwan Perera in the third over itself. Keaton Jennings joined Rory Burns in the middle and added 73 runs. However, Akila Dananjaya picked up the second wicket in the form of Jennings, who scored 26 runs. Burns went on to score his maiden half-century in Tests.

The right-hander was the next man to go, dismissed by Malinda Pushpakumara. Dilruwan Perera trapped Ben Stokes in front and reduced the Three Lions to 109/4 in the 27th over. Nevertheless, Joe Root looked determined to hold one end up and bail his team out of the precarious position. Jos Buttler joined him in the middle and the duo put on 74 runs together.

Foakes still in the middle

Dananjaya cleaned up Buttler for 34 runs to break the stand. At that point in time, the Brits only had a lead of 137 runs with half their side back in the hut. Moeen Ali fell prey to Dananjaya for 10 runs. Thereafter, Root and Ben Foakes scripted an English comeback and cobbled together a stand of 82 runs. Root didn’t die wondering and accomplished his 15th Test ton.

He reached the milestone in 120 balls and eventually went on to score 124 runs from 146 balls with the help of 10 boundaries and a couple of sixes. After the partnership, Dananjaya picked up three late wickets. He got rid of Root followed by Sam Curran to pick up a five-wicket haul. Adil Rashid became his sixth victim. Foakes remained not out on 51 from 102 balls.

Here is how Twitter reacted   

A truly very special century from Joe Root.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 16, 2018

What a performance from joe root and england on that surface ..one of the best test hundreds one will see on a pitch which is turning square .. @root66 @ParthJindal11 @ECB_cricket

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) November 16, 2018

Rooooooooooot 🙌🏻🙌🏻💯

— Mason Crane (@masoncrane32) November 16, 2018

The first of many for @roryburns17 #test50 👏🏻

— Rikki Clarke (@RikkiClarke81) November 16, 2018

Joe Root is playing a masterclass. Wonderful exhibition going on of how to play spin in difficult conditions. #SLvENG

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 16, 2018

This a coaching DVD in the making by @root66 … ‘The art of how to play spin on a dusty one’ … All coaches and young players should be studying this knock … & old players … #SLvENG … Sweeps,Reverse sweeps,Using his feet,creating angles … #Lovely

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 16, 2018

Patience the key… SL need to be more patient #SLvENG

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) November 16, 2018

At Pallekele @Aggerscricket reports as play is officially abandoned for the day. #bbccricket #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/wM32E0Vexm

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) November 16, 2018

The ground is now completely covered.

Amazing effort by the ground staff just before the rain fell.

It’s now really heavy and we’ll have no more play today.

Tomorrow will start early we think at 4.15 with some time added at the end as well. #bbccricket #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/Mr5O5q7WwN

— Adam Mountford (@tmsproducer) November 16, 2018

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