And having gone into it hoping to secure what would be their first perfect home summer for 20 years with a sixth successive win, Sri Lanka are now poised to deny them full marks.
Things were shaping up that way at the end of a white-knuckle third day in which 16 wickets fell and the pendulum swung the way of the tourists.
Inspired by Vishwa Fernando's left-arm swing and a four-wicket haul from Lahiru Kumura, Sri Lanka turned a first-innings deficit of 62 into a pursuit of 219 that was within striking distance by stumps. Bad light had once again brought an early close and for England, 156 all out in 34 overs earlier, and staring at 94 for one on the digital scoreboard that was twinkling in the gloom, this call by the umpires to come back in the morning was a sweet relief.
England had been rescued by Jamie Smith's eye-catching 67 with the tail but then ran into an opener who was not mucking about. Feasting on a leggy attack that had Gus Atkinson attempting to power through a thigh strain, Pathum Nissanka raided an unbeaten 53 from 44 balls. With Kusal Mendis racing to 30 not out, Sri Lanka were dreaming overnight of a first Test win on English soil for 10 years.
Esta historia es de la edición September 09, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 09, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
"They can't get away scot-free' EFL wants to charge Leicester with PSR breach if relegated
The English Football League wants to charge Leicester over the alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) the Premier League was blocked from pursuing this month, if the club are relegated.
Rodgers’ star on rise again as rampant Celtic extend perfect start
This proved a modern day Celtic Park rarity.
City off-colour as Gündogan's late misses hand dogged Inter a point
Manchester City know only too well how tough a nut Inter are to crack.
Significant ankle damage rules Ødegaard out 'for a while'
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has damaged ankle ligaments and will be sidelined \"for a while\" after the Arsenal captain was injured on international duty.
Salvatore Schillaci, 1964-2024 Italy mourns its goalscoring hero from 1990 World Cup
Tributes have been paid to Salvatore Schillaci after the former Italy forward died at the age of 59.
Captain Brook hands rebooted England licence to entertain
In one sense the five-match ODI series between England and Australia that starts in Nottingham today is slightly lacking in wider context.
'Any free time, I'll go fishing.My missus thinks I'm a bit weird'
Ollie Sleightholme, who is geared up for title defence, explains how angling relieves the pressures Northampton's
Itoje rejects Jones’ claims he is not suited to captaincy
Maro Itoje has rejected claims by the former England head coach Eddie Jones that he is \"very inward-looking\" and not suited to Test captaincy, after being unveiled as Saracens' skipper.
Floods and tears Worcestershire dig deep to shine despite adversity and tragedy
Somerset could still win their first County Championship title, while Surrey remain on for the three-peat.
Remote working Like it or loathe it, WFH looks like it is here to stay
Four years ago when the world of work was upended by the Covid pandemic, confident were made predictions that a permanent shift in remote working would follow the removal of lockdown restrictions.