Root's century helps England to set huge lead
Collected
||Desk Report||
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In over a year, Captain Joe Root smashed his first test century and took firm control of Friday's first test against Sri Lanka. On the second day, Root was unbeaten on 168 off 254 balls and England cruised to 320-4 at tea.
The visitors now lead by 185 runs with six wickets in hand on a wicket that has started showing signs of plenty of spin. In the first innings, within the first two sessions on Thursday, England had rattled Sri Lanka for 135 with offspinner Dom Bess claiming 5-30 and Stuart Broad picking 3-20.
Root and Lawrence destroyed Sri Lanka's plans with a 173-run stand as wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella twice missed opportunities to hold onto the edges off Lawrence's bat.
Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera finally got the breakthrough late in the second session with the second new ball when Lawrence gloved a catch to forward short leg.
It was Root's first test century since scoring 226 against New Zealand at Hamilton in November 2019 as the England skipper went without the three-figure mark in nine previous test matches.
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When he led Embuldeniya behind point for a single, Root continued to dominate spinners and reached 150 off 225 balls. In his amazing knock, the England captain hit a dozen boundaries as England took firm control.
Scorecard:
Sri Lanka (1st innings): 135 (48.1 overs) (Chandimal 26, Mathews 28, Silva 23, Base 5/30, Broad 3/20)
England (1st Innings): 320/4 (94 overs) (Route 16 *, Lawrence 63, Bairstow 48, Embuldenia 2/131, Pereira 1/72)
