MAT GLOSS

Sri Lankan veteran Angelo rolls back years but Pope & Co still in box seat

- GARY FITZGERALD

OLLIE POPE and his men were thwarted in their bid for a quick first Test kill by a stubborn Sri Lankan backs to the wall defiance.

England were left cursing experienced Angelo Mathews, who made 65, and Kamindu Mendis (56 not out) as the tourists finished day three with a lead of 82.

The hosts are still in the box seat to go ahead in the threematch series, but they were frustrated after looking in full control and ready to finish the job in quick fashion at one stage.

Sri Lanka recovered from 10-2 after trailing by 122 runs on the first innings to finish on 204-6, with Dinesh Chandimal returning to the crease after initially retiring hurt. Earlier Jamie Smith had celebrated his maiden Test century in only his fifth innings in his fourth Test.

England then appeared set to blow the Sri Lankan batting away faster than Storm Lilian sped through the area hours beforehand.