SL vs ENG 2nd Test: Skipper Joe Root’s 186 retains England’s hopes alive in Galle

Image Source : TWITTER/ENGLANDCRICKET Joe Root
England captain Joe Root continued his mastery over spinners on the sub-continent, reaching a second consecutive hundred along with his 186 within the second Test serving to the vacationers attain 339 at stumps on day three at Galle.
Root’s 309-ball 186, laced with 18 boundaries, was very important in England reaching near Sri Lanka’s first innings complete. The English skipper missed out on his double ton after getting run-out within the ultimate over of the day. The guests presently path by 42 runs, with Jack Leach and James Anderson within the center on fourth day’s morning.
Root, who had posted his nineteenth profession check hundred earlier than lunch, additionally handed Kevin Pietersen’s tally of 8,181 check runs to grow to be England’s fifth highest run getter within the five-day format.
Root tallied a double hundred within the first check that England gained by seven wickets.
England batsmen have struggled in opposition to Sri Lanka’s spin however Root has remained untroubled.
Root’s plans in opposition to spin appeared easy: for full deliveries, defend on the again foot and play the sweep for ones that have been brief.

Sri Lanka positioned three fielders within the boundary to chop off the sweep shot, however Root stored discovering gaps.
He shared a 97-run stand for the fifth wicket with Jos Buttler, who introduced up his 18th check half-century after reducing Dilruwan Perera for 4.
He was dismissed for 55 as Sri Lanka reviewed a choice to offer debutant Ramesh Mendis his maiden check wicket.
Buttler had tried a reverse sweep however ended up edging the ball to his boot and the brief leg fielder Oshada Fernando snapped up the catch. Sam Curran survived a leg earlier than shout off Perera and later in the identical over deposited one for six over mid-wicket.
In the final over earlier than tea, Lasith Embuldeniya, who was given the brand new ball from the City End had Curran caught at slip to finish a five-wicket haul, his third in checks.
(With AP Inputs)