England batsmen fail to punish Sri Lanka

Saturday, 28 May 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Untitled-1 REUTERS: England's batsmen failed to take full advantage on a first day of swinging fortunes in the second test against Sri Lanka, finishing on 310 for six after outstanding catching kept the touring side in contention on Friday.

A late cameo from Jonny Bairstow, who oozed confidence after his first-test 140, steadied an innings that had been in danger of falling away but he departed for 48 just before the close as Sri Lanka fought back on a slow pitch in Durham. Both England openers missed landmarks in chilly conditions at Chester-le-Street where England have won all five of their previous tests.

Alastair Cook chose to bat after winning the toss in the hope of scoring the 20 runs he needed to become the youngest player - and the first Englishman - to reach 10,000 runs. But the opener only reached 15 before jabbing at a wide delivery from Suranga Lakmal and he was well caught by a diving Dimuth Karunaratne in the slips.

243989 Alex Hales played fluently for his second half-century in as many innings, England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test

Cook's opening partner Alex Hales also had a personal milestone in mind and came close to a maiden test century. Hales, who made 86 in the first test, played fluently with a judicious mix of attack and defence before falling on 83 to a superb catch by Angelo Mathews at slip off the bowling of spinner Milanda Siriwadana. With under-pressure Nick Compton again departing cheaply for nine, to an excellent catch on the long leg boundary by Lakmal, Joe Root needed to provide the innings with renewed momentum.

The Yorkshireman chalked up an effortless fifty from 70 balls and looked on course for a century but was surprised on 80 by a quicker ball from Nuwan Pradeep that got up off a length. The bounce forced Root into a hurried shot that was easily caught by Kaushal Silva. England's most prolific batsman has now failed to reach three figures seven of the last eight times he has recorded a half-century.

James Vince fell to a lazy stroke for 35, leaving Bairstow and Moeen Ali to add 70 for the sixth wicket before the former under-edged a catch to the keeper.

By the close, Moeen had reached an untroubled 28 with Chris Woakes unbeaten on eight. Pradeep was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler with three for 69. England won the first test in the three-match series by an innings and 88 runs.