England lost early wickets in their run chase바카라 웹사이트but remain on course for victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka, finishing day four on 38-3 in pursuit of a target of 74.바카라 웹사이트 (Highlights Day 4 | News)
Having battled hard to make 359 all out in their second innings, Sri Lanka gave바카라 웹사이트themselves a glimmer of바카라 웹사이트hope바카라 웹사이트when Lasith바카라 웹사이트Embuldeniya바카라 웹사이트quickly removed England openers Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley.바카라 웹사이트
The run out of captain Joe Root, who was called through for a single that was never on before falling over as he dived to unsuccessfully make his ground, left the tourists바카라 웹사이트teetering at 20-3.바카라 웹사이트
However, Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence steadied the nerves, seeing England through to stumps without any further setbacks. The duo will resume on day five needing a further 36 to seal the series opener.바카라 웹사이트
Sri Lanka will be left cursing their first-innings shortcomings바카라 웹사이트with the bat,바카라 웹사이트particularly after a second Test hundred from바카라 웹사이트Lahiru Thirimanne바카라 웹사이트underpinned a far-improved display second time around.바카라 웹사이트
England바카라 웹사이트did바카라 웹사이트remove nightwatchman바카라 웹사이트Embuldeniya바카라 웹사이트early바카라 웹사이트but바카라 웹사이트were made to바카라 웹사이트work바카라 웹사이트hard for wickets바카라 웹사이트after that, Jack Leach the pick of the attack as he finished with figures of 5-122.바카라 웹사이트
Sam Curran eventually ended바카라 웹사이트Thirimanne's바카라 웹사이트defiance when the opener had 111 to his name, while the hosts were still in deficit when stand-in captain바카라 웹사이트Dinesh Chandimal바카라 웹사이트edged Dom Bess (3-100) to Root at first slip.바카라 웹사이트바카라 웹사이트
The same bowler accounted for바카라 웹사이트Niroshan바카라 웹사이트Dickwella, who made 29, but Angelo Mathews바카라 웹사이트proved to be a familiar thorn in England's side.바카라 웹사이트
Wicketkeeper바카라 웹사이트Jos Buttler secured his first stumping in Test cricket as some smart glovework ended a lively cameo from바카라 웹사이트Dilruwan Perera바카라 웹사이트(24), while바카라 웹사이트Mathews was the last man out midway through the final session.바카라 웹사이트바카라 웹사이트
The former Sri Lanka skipper had battled for nearly six hours before Leach tempted him into바카라 웹사이트a바카라 웹사이트leaden-footed바카라 웹사이트drive, ending his resistance on 71. England appeared frenetic바카라 웹사이트at the start of their chase바카라 웹사이트on a dry, turning surface, but will바카라 웹사이트still바카라 웹사이트be confident of completing the job on Monday.
TON-DERFUL MOMENT FOR THIRIMANNE
Thirimanne's previous Test century also came at the same venue; he made 155 not out against Bangladesh back in March 2013. The left-handed opener may not have featured in this match had captain Dimuth Karunaratne not been ruled out with a fractured thumb, but he seized his opportunity.
In total, he faced 251 deliveries and hit 12 boundaries, helping at least restore some pride for Sri Lanka after they had been dismissed for 135 on a dismal opening day.
LEACH STICKS TO HIS TASK
Leach had not played in a Test since November 2019, since when an illness and the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted him to just two first-class appearances. The left-arm spinner could be forgiven for a little rustiness, then.
However, he stuck manfully to his task during the innings, sending down 41.5 overs to claim his second five-wicket haul in Tests. His other also came against Sri Lanka, at Pallekele back in November 2018.
