Second test: Sri Lanka v England in Kandy, 14-18 November

[Durhamfootman]

More good work from 'Guy' Foakes

he's building a case. has his glove work been up to scratch?

[Arthur Crabtree]

So they say.

[sussexpob]

More good work from 'Guy' Foakes

he's building a case. has his glove work been up to scratch?

Kept very well from what I have seen, but also has received plaudits from the press. Not made any errors yet, I think.

[andy]

Best gloveman in the country, and performing with the bat, hopefully will be a mainstay in this england side

[GGAS]

I bet Jonny B is having a right sulk

[andy]

His average purely as a batsman isn't really good enough to hold a spot in the side anyway, he needs the gloves as part of his game at the moment

[The Professor]

Root's masterclass today rather masks an unspectacular overall batting performance from England. I would say that five of the batsmen scored below what you would hope.

[andy]

It's good that Rory Burns got his maiden test match fifty, and he did play well.... Moeen's horribly out of nick and looks like he should be back at 8.......Curran got a good ball and a rare failure...Jennings never convinces...if they did a number 3 then just give Denly a go..

[Durhamfootman]

if they did a number 3 then just give Denly a go..

they don't seem to fancy him, at all. which begs the question as to why they called him up. I can understand him being there as batting back up for a settled top order, but that's not the case at all. Must be pretty disheartening if you are an experienced and consistently reliable county top order performer and you keep being passed over in favour of all rounders who have no real business being anywhere near the number 3 position and who are just being rotated to see if anything sticks. If JB1 is fit for the next test, he'll probably be shoehorned in instead.

I suppose the argument might be the need to fit 3 spinners into the side, and that won't necessarily apply going forward, at which point, presumably, he might get a go, England having had a good look at him, his technique and his temperament on this tour.

golly... what a lot of commas

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's possible that he's only there because he can bowl some leggies.

[Durhamfootman]

shame he doesn't keep wicket... he'd be straight in

you can never have too many keepers

seemingly

[Arthur Crabtree]

Another six for Foakes. Early start.

England can inflict some pain here.

37 already added for the last wicket.

New ball is up, and 300 lead.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Jimmy the Saint is out. Red ink for Foakes. 301 for SL to chase.

[meninblue]

England should win this test as well. From whatever little i have watched today, this wicket is more troublesome for batsmen against spinners than it was at Galle. With Jack, Rashid and Moeen, England are well stocked for Day 4 and Day 5 on this wicket.

Finally England think thank realized Moeen is not a No. 3.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Apparently spun a lot more yesterday as the day went on.