By Joe Mansfield
Joe Root added 102 to the 66 he scored on day one, ending on 168 not out at the end of a rain affected second day against Sri Lanka.
Rain delays bookended proceedings in Galle, an hour delay to the start of play and a washed-out final session slowed England’s progress. England lead by 185 and will start day three on 320-4.
Root produced a batting masterclass in an innings that saw records tumble. The England captain now holds the record for the highest score by an England player in Sri Lanka and broke the record he set just yesterday for the highest England partnership in Galle.
Root and Bairstow combined for 114 as they added just four to their partnership from the first day. Debutant Dan Lawrence impressed in his first test innings, he scored 74 in a monumental partnership of 173 with his skipper.
The start of the day did not go to plan for England, Root survived an lbw scare and Bairstow was removed when he faced his second ball.
Lasith Embuldaniya was the man to remove Bairstow with a turning delivery that caught the edge of the bat and was neatly taken at short gully.
From there on the travelling side dominated affairs. Dan Lawrence took to the test arena like a duck to water, caressing the ball to all parts.
The highlight of his innings was an eye-catching slog-sweep for six over cow corner off the bowling of the threatening Embuldaniya.
While Lawrence played the more expansive shots, Root chipped away. Sweeping relentlessly, the centurion continued to rack up the runs and frustrate the fielding side.
Footwork was key to the captains knock, he was masterful in distinguishing between playing on the front or back foot..
Sri Lanka’s spinners plugged away on a turning wicket but could not prevent Root from reaching his 18th test century and converting it into his 8th score of over 150 runs.
Dilruwan Perera had been producing a sub-par performance until he removed Dan Lawrence with the new ball. Buoyed by the wicket Perera caused Jos Buttler problems on his arrival to the crease.
England will aim to press home their advantage when play resumes at 4:30am GMT on Saturday.
England XI
Z Crawley, D Sibley, J Bairstow, J Root (C), D lawrence, J Buttler, S Curran, D Bess, S Broad, M Wood, J Leach.
Sri Lanka XI
L Thirimane, K Perera, K Mendis, D Chandimal (C), A, Mathews, N Dickwella (WK), D Shanaka, W Hasaranga, D Perera, L Embuldeniya, A Fernando.
