Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka with their nose ahead in Pallekele

Jos Buttler and Sam Curran helped England end the first day with the upper hand. However, Sri Lanka have made a strong comeback with the bat and are in a dominant position in the second Test in Pallekele. The hosts are leading by 46 runs in the second innings and would be looking to put their opponents on the mat going ahead in the encounter.

Karunaratne and de Silva guide Lanka    

After losing Kaushal Silva early, Lanka started the day with Dimuth Karunaratne and night-watchman Malinda Pushpakumara as the overnight batsmen. Moeen Ali nipped out the latter early. Nevertheless, Karunatatne along with Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the ship with a stand of 96 runs. Ben Stokes ran Karunaratne out for 63 to break the ominous stand.

Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews perished in quick succession and the hosts lost half their side with a trail of 144 runs. While Mendis was dismissed by left-arm spinner Jack Leach, Adil Rashid got rid of Mathews after he scored 20 runs 42 balls with one four. From that point in time, Joe Root and Co had the chance of running away with the match with some quick wickets.

Silva takes over

Roshen Silva came in at the fall of the fifth wicket and he scored 85 runs from 174 balls to lift his team to 336 runs in 103 overs. He turned the strike over on a consistent basis and hit four boundaries and a six in his innings. The right-handed batsman was supported by the lower order. Niroshan Dickwella smacked a few to score a quick-fire 26 from 33 deliveries.

Even the likes of Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya and Suranga Lakmal notched 15, 31 and 15 respectively. For the Three Lions, Rashid and Leach picked up three wickets each while Moeen returned with a couple. In the second innings, the Brits sent Leach to open along with Rory Burns. But, Leach took the strike and played out a maiden off Dilruwan Perera to end the day’s play.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Full credit to Sri Lanka … Have played with a huge amount of Skill today … England’s spinners weren’t quite at the races … I blame Brexit … #SLvENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 15, 2018

Could watch Ben Foakes keep all day ! #SLvENG @SkyCricket

— Sarah Taylor (@Sarah_Taylor30) November 15, 2018

To keep the balance and dynamic of Englands fluid batting line up and using unwritten rules that stopped England picking Bairstow for this test, Jennings will have to slot back in at 10…. #SLvEng

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) November 15, 2018

England’s batting order #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/n0J1P4JzMV

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) November 15, 2018

Jack Leach has now batted every position for England between 1 and 10 except between 2 and 9…. #SLvEng

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) November 15, 2018

Opening batsman using a nightwatchman more deserving of a 12 month ban than ball tampering. #SLvENG

— Andrew (@andrew_54) November 15, 2018

England have had a tough day in Kandy, SL forged a 46 run lead before being bowled out.
Morning session tomorrow is absolutely massive. Bat well boys and go a long way to winning the series. #SLvENG #Kandy #SetYourAlarm

— Duke and Kookaburra (@d_ktalkballs) November 15, 2018

Really Leach should retire, and come back once the 8th wicket falls. That won't happen which shows what a bonkers game this Cricket really is #SLvENG

— Nick (@nickcricket) November 15, 2018

Run Out & Catch by Stokes.🏏🏟#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/evZ4L0WhZh

— Hasnain Shah (@HasnainShah69) November 15, 2018

If Sam Curran’s innings was match winning as we all seemed to be so certain of yesterday that makes this effort from Roshen Silva other- worldly.

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) November 15, 2018

England have been given 5 extra runs because Roshen Silva ran short and deliberately ran a second.

International cricket right now…#SLvENG #SLvsENG pic.twitter.com/T0FW6hsd4D

— CricBlog (@cric_blog) November 15, 2018

CRICKET –@englandcricket have bowled out Sri lanka.
Sri Lanka showed grit to get a lead of 46 ending on 336.
Roshen Silva played very well to score 85.@jackleach1991 Adil Rashid both end with 3 wickets.
England saw the last over of day 2 out with all 10 wickets in tact. #SRIvENG pic.twitter.com/a06o7qdaYK

— DPAllSports (@DpAllSport) November 15, 2018

Sri Lanka have been penalized with 5 penalty runs in Pallekele for deliberately not putting the bat over the line (batsman Roshen Silva the culprit). England's first innings total has been changed from 285 to 290. #SLvEng

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 15, 2018

Roshen Silva brings a great calmness to SL’s middle order. He should be a permanent fixture.

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) November 15, 2018

Still I don’t understand why #RoshenSilva has to bat so lower down the order. He’s technically sound and look great. Have him up the order @OfficialSLC

— Vinod Neeraj (@VinTweets) November 15, 2018

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