Second Test update: England 1-5 for victory after rain-affected fourth day

Second Test
Resumes 4.15am Sunday, Sky Sports Cricket

Day four analysis

Jack Leach helped put England in control of the second Test against Sri Lanka before day four was brought to an early close by rain in Pallekele.

The tourists set the Lankans a target of 301 and opener Dimuth Karunaratne picked up from where he left off, scoring 57 after a first-innings total of 63.

But he had little support, with Leach (4-73) tearing through Sri Lanka’s top order, claiming the scalps of Kaushal Silva (four), Dhananjaya de Silva (one) and Kusal Mendis (one).

That left the hosts on 26-3 but an impressive 88 from Angelo Mathews put them on 226-7 before rain interfered.

With three wickets remaining, Sri Lanka need 75 runs to level the series but bookmakers are confident of victory for 1-5 favourites England, with the home side 5-1 to take the spoils.

Star of the day

Angelo Mathews was a victim of a fine Adil Rashid bowling display in the first innings but the all-rounder spearheaded Sri Lanka's defiant comeback on day four.

Sacked as skipper in September, the 31-year-old had a strike-rate of 64.23 and registered six boundaries on his way to an impressive 88.

Weather

The final day's action will start 15 minutes earlier and, despite some heavy rain forecast, there should be enough clear spells for a positive result to be reached.

Best bet for day five

Sri Lanka’s strong first-innings performance was a large part down to their tail-enders and Niroshan Dickwella in particular could make England’s task difficult on the final day.

Mathews will take all the plaudits for his disciplined 88 but it may not have been possible had it not been for the attacking impetus of Niroshan Dickwella.

The wicketkeeper batsman ended the fourth day on 27 and has the positivity to reach the half-century mark.

Joe Root dislodged Dickwella for 25 in the first innings but he scored 52 and 95 in one-day internationals against England last month and could pile pressure on the tourists.

Recommendation
N Dickwella to score a fifty
1pt 2-1 Sky Bet

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