Virtual Test: Joe Root and Jos Buttler miss out on tons but England in command

2:30 Sky Cricket statistician Benedict Bermange explains how the Virtual Test came about, how it works, and whether he expects England to go on and win!

Root had moved to within five runs of what would have been an 18th Test century, but in the first over after the drinks break he dragged his back foot fractionally out of his crease to be smartly stumped by Niroshan Dickwella.

It was another failed conversion by the England captain, but the satisfaction gained from his innings was to increase later in the day as England prospered in the afternoon sun.

However, after lunch, the partnership between Buttler and Sam Curran blossomed to reach 83 before Curran was a tad unfortunate to glove a Dilruwan Perera leg-side offering behind.

Suitably inspired, the off-spinner proceeded to snap up both Dom Bess and Jack Leach in his next four overs and last man Stuart Broad strode to the crease with the score 385-9 half an hour before tea.

Finding the Sri Lankan bowling attack more to his liking than his recent ordeals by pace against Australia and South Africa, Broad played sensibly and supported Buttler as England continued to increase their lead in the final session.

Faced with a tricky session of just over an hour to bat, Sri Lanka batted out the day, albeit not without total alarm.

The feeling is that the England spinners will have an important role to play if they are going to help press home the advantage and convert their solid batting effort into a fifth successive Test victory on the island.

Sourse: skysports.com

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