4.38pm What a sensational turnaround from England. Inspired by Keaton Jennings' incredible work under the lid, and executed by Adil Rashid and Ben Stokes, who inspired a capitulation from 173 for 1 to 240 all out. England lead by a very tidy lead of 96 ... and the clean sweep is on. 8 for 57 in 14.5 overs in that session alone...
Steve: "Every time I decide who England's best test spinner is I am forced to change my mind again." Rashid is arguably the best for pure wicket-taking, but he needs support to be at his most effective. He got that in spades today from Stokes and his exhaustive deck-hitting exploits.
Alan Hardy: "England have a dilemma for the tour of the Windies - Ali, Leach and Rashid have bowled so well it is hard to see who to leave out, but surely 3 spinners won't be need in the Caribbean... and the Rashid saga adds further complications. England should definitely take some real quicks in preparation for the Ashes - Wood, Stone, maybe Jamie.Overton. And how about Roy as the batting back-up? " Sounds about right, and Woakes will be in the mix in order to retain England's enviable batting depth. Options!
George: "@Rian - I'm sure Sri Lanka would tell you all about the usefulness of a bowler who can clean up a tail cheaply" Can't imagine who you mean ...
PM Pushpakumara lbw b Rashid 13 (14b 3x4 0x6) SR: 92.85
Rian : "What should give England and Rashid a lot of confidence is the fact that he's dismissed 4 of the top 6 showing that he's not just there to clean up the tail" Fair point
END OF OVER:65 | 5 Runs | SL: 233/9
- Malinda Pushpakumara8 (11b)
- Suranga Lakmal1 (7b)
- Jack Leach18-2-59-1
- Adil Rashid13-2-42-4
Samarpan: "Let's give Foakes the ball. Then we can have a caught Stokes bowled Foakes. What do you think? " That would risk letting Bairstow get the gloves back on for an over. England might never get them off him again!
George Macphers: "If England can take the last wicket and have the lead of at least 100 then put at least 200 in the 2nd innings would make Sri Lanka sweat. "
Stokes, as expected, is cooked. Here's Leach to apply a chill pill to the innings
END OF OVER:64 | 4 Runs | SL: 228/9
- Malinda Pushpakumara4 (6b)
- Suranga Lakmal0 (6b)
- Adil Rashid13-2-42-4
- Ben Stokes10-1-30-3
Maryam: "All I see, is a sea of red, of self mutilation."
Barry: "Wow! Rashid is a completely different player when he's feeling confident. He seems to be involved in everything."
Can Rashid wrap things up?
END OF OVER:63 | 2 Runs 2 Wkts | SL: 224/9
- Suranga Lakmal0 (6b)
- Malinda Pushpakumara0 (0b)
- Ben Stokes10-1-30-3
- Adil Rashid12-2-38-4
PADLR Sandakan run out 2 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
