Sri Lanka v England 2021.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I don't suppose they will... but England could have a bowl later.

[Durhamfootman]

Root converts a start

well done him. That ought to help his confidence and his form ahead of the India tour

[alfie]

I don't suppose they will... but England could have a bowl later.

No chance I reckon - unless they are bowled out. They'll be looking for 500 to completely crush Sri Lanka. Plenty of time to get a result unless it rains for a day or two.

They've scored at a decent rate throughout - and I wouldn't expect the likes of Buttler and Curran to spend too much time blocking so we might see a lively last session...

[sussexpob]

Raining now. maybe might play on them, but to be honest it's no belter of a batting track, bat as long as you can to the end of tomorrow then I'd back SL not to make two full sessions

[alfie]

Root has played really well today , indeed. Never really looked in any difficulty , and scored practically at will. Won't surprise if he gets a double...(hopefully that won't jinx him !)

Lawrence played well too , though he did profit from a few lives . Dickwella was a bit generous.

Anyway it seems the weather has done for the last session judging by the pictures...bat on tomorrow chaps.

[Arthur Crabtree]

SL havent got a single proven test quality bowler.

Agnew can't agree. He think this Root's innings proves he's the best English player of spin ever.

Forget Thorpe in Colombo.

Or Cook or KP in Mumbai.

Or Matt Prior vs Ajmal's chuckers in UAE.

[sussexpob]

He should stick to throwing racist insults at fellow sports writers who embarrass him with their knowledge. It's been the only thing he's been good at for a very long time.

I guess he's now in that category of "BBC institution", so you'll have to put up with his ever declining production until he finally dies at 97, having spent 20 years being offensive, moaning and not knowing where he is.

So pretty much the same

[bigfluffylemon]

Root becomes the first English batsman to get a double in Sri Lanka
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin ... ew=innings

Batted Joe. Obviously not the best Sri Lankan attack ever, but you can only bat against what's put in front of you. And a test double hundred is never an easy achievement.

[bigfluffylemon]

And it's all over with Root the last man out for 228. Lead 286.

Place your bets. All over today? Or will Sri Lanka make England bat again?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, good going. SL going to feel the pressure here.

[sussexpob]

SL having a good day, shame the games already lost

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nice resistance from SL. All too predictable if they just gave up.

[Arthur Crabtree]

That seems to have bought a wicket.

[Durhamfootman]

Root becomes the first English batsman to get a double in Sri Lanka
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin ... ew=innings

Batted Joe. Obviously not the best Sri Lankan attack ever, but you can only bat against what's put in front of you. And a test double hundred is never an easy achievement.

I was watching a fawning sports presenter this morning absolutely gushing about how fantastic Joe Root is. You'd be forgiven for thinking that it was the greatest innings ever played, by the greatest batsman to have played the game. I agree with Fluffy that a double hundred is never easy and (with some relief, I might add) I warmly applaud honest Joe for achieving it, but I'll save my gushing for a double hundred against India in a few weeks time.... or even a match winning century against a full strength India attack

[sussexpob]

The English cricket press love to overstate things. Obviously I agree with the point, you can't disregard any 200. You have batted well against any team to get past that mark. But this isn't going to make a list of best innings I've seen simply because of the abject bowling for most of it.

Not watched this morning but I'd guess England are returning the favour. Thirimmanne is arguably the worst top 7 bat I've ever seen play that many games in my lifetime. If he's got 70 not out your doing something very wrong