LONDON: England is in a commanding position in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, with the visitors ending day three on 53-2 while chasing a daunting target of 483 to level the series.
Joe Root starred for England, scoring his record 34th Test century, surpassing Alastair Cook’s tally of 33. Root’s innings of 103, combined with his first-innings 143, were pivotal in England’s total of 251 in their second innings.
Sri Lanka’s response was shaky, losing Nishan Madushka and Pathum Nissanka early. Dimuth Karunaratne (23) and Prabath Jayasuriya (3) are the not-out batsmen as play was halted due to poor light. The highest successful run chase in Test history is 418, achieved by the West Indies against Australia in 2003, adding to the magnitude of Sri Lanka’s challenge.
England, having set a massive target, built on their 231-run first-innings lead. Despite several dismissals, including Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook before lunch, Root’s innings provided a solid foundation. Duckett was dismissed for 24, Pope for 17, and Brook for 37, with Root eventually reaching his milestone with a boundary.
Scoreboard:
England (1st Innings): 427
Sri Lanka (1st Innings): 196
England (2nd Innings, overnight 25-1): 251 all out (54.3 overs)
Sri Lanka (2nd Innings): 53-2 (20 overs)
