England vs Sri Lanka, SL in ENG, 3 Tests, 2024 Full score card

FOUR! Pathum Nissanka fittingly hits the winning runs! SRI LANKA WIN BY 8 WICKETS! Shoaib Bashir drags his length back, outside off, Pathum Nissanka lets it come to him and cuts it away nicely wide of backward point for a boundary. Angelo Mathews hugs Nissanka as they get appreciation from the crowd and the English players. We can also see the Lankan skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva shaking hands with the head coach of England, Brendon McCullum. A famous victory and this will surely go down as one of the finest moments in Sri Lanka's history.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka defends it on the front foot.

Short and on middle, Angelo Mathews nudges it through square leg for a single. Sri Lanka just one hit away from the win!

Short of a length and on middle now, Pathum Nissanka stays back and keeps it out on the pitch.

FOUR! Touch of class from the centurion! Josh Hull hits the hard length and just outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce and punches it with sweet timing through extra covers for a boundary.

Digs it into the pitch again, on middle, Angelo Mathews pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run. Into single digits now!

Josh Hull bangs in a bouncer now, outside off, Angelo Mathews leaves it alone.

Short of a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka clips it just wide of square leg for a quick single.

Back of a length but down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka misses his flick.

Lunch is just a few minutes away but the session will get extended further as Sri Lanka just need 11 runs to win. Also, Josh Hull is back into the attack now, replacing Olly Stone.

FOUR! Connects well this time! Shoaib Bashir gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Angelo Mathews goes down on one knee and nails his sweep towards the vacant deep square leg fence for a boundary. That brings up the 100-run partnership between these two batters as well. Sri Lanka are almost there!

Short once more, on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it through covers for one more.

Short and on off, Angelo Mathews steers it through point for one.

Oh..turn! This is exactly why Shoaib Bashir should have bowled more here! Floats it up, full and on off, grips and turns in sharply, Angelo Mathews strides out to push it away but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball just goes past the off pole.

Shorter in length and on middle, Angelo Mathews stays back and pats it towards short leg.

Flatter, full and on off, Angelo Mathews goes down to sweep it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

SIX! 200 up for Sri Lanka and they now need just 17 runs to win! Another predictable short-pitched delivery from Stone, on the stumps, Pathum Nissanka reads the length early, gets in position quickly with a stable base and still head position, clobbers the pull shot into the air and deposits it rows behind deep backward square leg.

Short, at off, punched solidly by Nissanka off the back foot.

Over the pegs on the back of a length, Angelo Mathews shuffles a bit across off and lifts his front leg to pull it away. Gets it off the inner half of the blade which runs towards wide deep fine for a single.

Length-delivery, on pads, this is tucked away to deep backward square leg for a single by Nissanka.

Short again, on the stumps, Angelo Mathews pulls it to deep fine for one.

That sounded so good off the bat, but just a single. Short and on the middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka powers away the pull shot along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Length on the pads, Mathews looks to flick it but is early into the shot and closes his bat face early. He gets a leading edge in front of mid on.

Almost a yorker and on the stumps, Angelo Mathews just about manages to squeeze it out off the inner half of the bat to square leg.

Over the top of the middle, on a good length, Angelo Mathews swats it to mid-wicket.

Hard length, outside off, Mathews punches it off the back foot towards wide cover. Ollie Pope moves and dives to his left to intercept the ball.

Dug in short and on the middle, Pathum Nissanka comfortably pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Under 30s now, is what Sri Lanka need to win! On the pads, Angelo Mathews glances it off the back foot towards deep square leg for an easy comfortable single.

Back of a length on the stumps, Nissanka defends it with a straight bat and off the back foot.

Stone goes full outside off, Pathum Nissanka drives it solidly off the middle, but finds cover.

A bouncer from Stone and Mathews controls the pull nicely to deep backward square leg for a single.

DROPPED! Bashir never looked closely comfortable to take that one! Steep bumper on offer, Pathum Nissanka is a bit late to ramp it up. Gets it off the toe end of the bat and into the overcast skies. The ball hangs for an eternity in the air over deep third. Shoaib Bashir runs to his front and loses the ball in the clouds, but tries to position himself by crouching and eventually shells it. They cross one.

WIDE! He will have to reload that one again! Way down leg, wided.

SIX! Clobbered away! Stone bowls it on a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka waits for this one, allows it to arrive at him, creates a strong base before pulling it behind deep square leg for a cracking six. Sri Lanka are 32 more runs away now.

A vicious bumper from Stone this! Digs it into the surface, on off, Pathum Nissanka alertly arches back and lets it go through.

In the air...and safe! Mathews looks in a hurry now! Full and on the off stump line, Angelo Mathews mistimes it in the air over mid on. The ball lands in front of long on and they cross for a couple of more runs. 38 more needed now.

Back of a length on the stumps, defended off the back foot.

Outside off and on a length, Mathews is not interested at all, and leaves.

Good length and in the channel outside off, Mathews shoulders his arms to this one.

HUNDRED FOR PATHUM NISSANKA! A special, special century for the right-hander! His 2nd Test Hundred in 11 matches and the maiden one against England. Back of a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka rides on the bounce and cuts it past point for three runs. Gets a huge round of applause from the crowd and the Sri Lankan dressing room. Kisses his bat looking towards the sky. A brave innings from him, full of class and comfort.

Starts off with regular three slips and a deep backward point. Tests Nissanka by pitching it wide of off on a fuller length, Pathum Nissanka strides out to push it to the off side but plays inside the line of the ball and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Gus Atkinson (9-1-37-1) replaces Chris Woakes.

Banged short, on the bodyline, Mathews rides on the bounce and drops it with soft hands to the pitch. Sri Lanka now need 43 more runs to win.

Full and straight at 135 kph, outside off, Pathum Nissanka drives it nicely along the ground towards deep covers for a single.

'Nother nip-backer from Stone, angling on leg, on a length, Pathum Nissanka looks to nudge it to the square leg region but plays over the line, and gets pinged on the front pad.

Length ball, outside off, Nissanka guides this one to wide deep third for a couple of runs. Moves onto 97 now!

A loud ambitious appeal for LBW but 'No' says the umpire! Angled down the leg stump line from Stone, full in length, Angelo Mathews misses the flick and gets rapped on the front pad, the ball rolls towards the square leg region and they cross over. England do not opt for a review.

Absolute jaffa! Olly Stone lands it just outside off on the fourth stump line, Angelo Mathews tries to defend it off the back foot, but again, opens his body, gets squared up and hangs his bat away from his body. Gets beaten by a whisker on the outside edge.

Goes back to his fuller length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka tucks it to the left of short leg.

Hard length and on off, Pathum Nissanka stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

FOUR! Slashed away! Chris Woakes lands this short of a length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it away over the backward point region for another boundary. The target moves to under 50 now!

Back of a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka punches it away wide of deep point for a couple of runs. He moves into the 90s now!

Full again, on middle, shaping in, Pathum Nissanka just about manages to get his bat in line of the ball and tucks it towards short leg.

Full and off, Pathum Nissanka strides out to get closer to the line of the ball and blocks it out towards short covers.

EDGED AND FOUR! Olly Stone lands this on hard length and in that channel outside off, nips away a bit, Angelo Mathews looks to block it from his crease, and gets an outside edge that flies between gully and slip cordon for a boundary. Sri Lanka needs 53 more runs to win now!

Fuller in length and on off, shapes away, Angelo Mathews steers it away towards point.

Short of a length and around leg, Pathum Nissanka pulls it away towards fine leg for a single.

Good bowling! Olly Stone serves this a bit fuller, this one swings in sharply in the air, Pathum Nissanka looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards short mid-wicket, Angelo Mathews sets off for the run but is sent back and rightly so.

Good length, on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka hops up a bit and knocks it down the pitch.

Back of a length and on off, Pathum Nissanka dabs it towards point.

Pitched up and around off, Angelo Mathews fends it away.

FOUR LEG BYES! The runs keep on coming! Fuller again and angling into leg, Angelo Mathews tries to glance it away but misses, the ball goes off his pads and between leg slip and keeper for another boundary.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for Sri Lanka! Chris Woakes goes completely loses his radar, serves this full but way, way down the leg side, Angelo Mathews lets it go, Jamie Smith dives to his left, gets one hand on that but only manages to parry it behind him, the ball rolls away to the fine leg fence beating the dive of the fielder in the deep for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, Angelo Mathews stays in his crease and tucks it away towards short mid-wicket.

Fuller but angling into the pads, Pathum Nissanka easily clips it away towards fine leg for a single.

Good length and on off, angles in, Pathum Nissanka prods forward and blocks it out off the inner half of his bat to the leg side.

Drinks! It has been Sri Lanka's morning, by a fair margin. With just a single blemish, they have sailed past the first challenging hour nicely. Pathum Nissanka, in particular, continued from where he left off on Day 3 and didn't spare anything that was thrown at him outside off. He currently stands unbeaten on 87 with Angelo Mathews providing a very responsible hand by tapping and running. England on the other hand, need wickets, and in a bundle now because they just have 67 runs to defend. They have utilized all their pacers and even summoned spin to break the shackles, in bowling-friendly conditions but have just managed to get a solitary wicket of Kusal Mendis. Also, Joe Root was seen swapping the bails at one end, just being superstitious. Will that bring some luck? Jokes apart, a change in bowling again, Chris Woakes is back into the attack.

Pitched up and on middle again, gets it jag back in sharply, Pathum Nissanka looks to defend it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge through square leg for one. 5 runs off the over!

On a length and on middle, shaping in, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the leg side, he wants the run but is sent back.

Goes fuller now, on middle, Pathum Nissanka prods forward and blocks it out.

Hard length and around middle, Pathum Nissanka hops up and nudges it away wide of deep square leg this time for another brace. 150 up for Sri Lanka now!

Short again and outside off, Pathum Nissanka connects with his cut this time, the ball goes wide of deep point as the batters take a double.

So close! Short of a length and outside off, invites the batter to go after it, Pathum Nissanka slashes hard at it but, that away movement takes the ball just past the outside edge.

Ollie Stone switches ends. Replaces Hull who is not totally fit as mentioned by the on-air commentator, Michael Atherton.

FOUR! Nicely played! Flighted, full and around middle, Angelo Mathews knows the square leg is up in the circle, goes down across on one knee and scoops it excellently over that fielder for another boundary. Sri Lanka are targeting the spinner here!

Flatter, short once more, on off, Angelo Mathews stays back and keeps it out towards short leg.

Short again and on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it through covers for a run.

FOUR! Poor delivery and rightly punished! Shoaib Bashir bowls a half-tracker here, on middle, Pathum Nissanka has all the time in the world, rocks back and pulls it away easily towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Goes short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka moves back and pats it down towards short leg.

Tossed up, full and around off, Angelo Mathews takes a big stride forwards and pushes it towards covers for a single.

Spin has now been introduced by England. Shoaib Bashir (1-0-7-0) replaces Olly Stone.

FOUR! Cut away, again! 9th boundary for Nissanka and the maximum of them have been struck square of the wicket towards point. Josh Hull bangs in short in length, on off, Pathum Nissanka climbs on the bounce on his toes and cuts it with a horizontal bat, through deep point. Shoaib Bashir puts in a dive to intercept it but the ball is too quick to evade him for a boundary.

Back of a length, straight on off, Pathum Nissanka brings his bat in line of the ball and presents a solid front foot defence with a straight bat.

Back of a length, on middle, Angelo Mathews clips it to square leg for a single.

Short delivery outside off, Nissanka stands tall and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Hull delivers a wobble seam ball on the pads, on the back of a length, Pathum Nissanka nudges it in front of square leg. The ball rolls square of the wicket and Nissanka calls for a double and Barnwell, the substitute fielder is quick on the ball running from deep square leg, and forces Mathews to put in a desperate dive at the non-striker's end. A direct hit would have been curtains for Mathews there.

Good-length delivery around off, Nissanka gets in line, leans on the ball, and defends it to cover.

Fuller and on the stumps, Mathews pushes it to mid on.

Short again at 135 kph, angling on the leg stump, Angelo Mathews glances it off the back foot towards deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Tap and run! Back of a length, over the top of the middle, Pathum Nissanka hops on the back foot and taps it along the ground towards wide mid on for a single.

Misses his line in search for that swing, does Stone, sprays it on the pads, on a good length, Angelo Mathews clips it nicely to deep square leg for a single.

Slightly short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka punches it off the back foot to wide cover for a single.

Length, on the stumps, Nissanka pushes it to mid on with a straight bat face.

Hull lands it across off on a length, a gentle push from Mathews back to the bowler. Hull starts decently.

Almost a yorker, on the stumps from Hull, Angelo Mathews deals with it carefully, brings his bat down in time, and clips it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

Fractionally outside off on a length, Angelo Mathews defends it with soft hands to cover.

Back of a length, and outside off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

Nissanka looks to whip this fuller length ball sliding down leg side but misses.

Double change from England. Josh Hull now comes into the attack, replacing Atkinson. Pitches it up, full and on the middle, Pathum Nissanka watches it closely and blocks it off the front foot.

Beaten! Slight away movement on a good length, just around the corridor of uncertainty. Angelo Mathews gets invited on the front foot, pats his front leg ahead for a defence but gets beaten by the outswing on the outside edge.

Bangs in a steep bumper on the bodyline. Angelo Mathews can only duck underneath it. Good delivery from Stone.

Full, on the stumps, Angelo Mathews with a firm prod and push to mid off.

More full, but on middle again, Nissanka defends off the inner half of the blade. The ball rolls towards the square leg region and they cross for a single.

Straight and full, on the middle, Pathum Nissanka replies solidly with a front foot defence to mid on.

Olly Stone begins his new spell with three slips and a gully. Begins with a shorter one, on the middle, Pathum Nissanka lifts his front leg in the air and pulls it past square leg. Nissanka realises that it does not have enough steam to breach the fence, puts on the afterburners and completes the double quickly.

First bowling change of Day 4. Olly Stone replaces Chris Woakes.

And again! Same line, same length, on middle, Angelo Mathews gets behind the line of the ball and clips it to the short leg fielder.

Short and right on the bodyline, Angelo Mathews hops and tucks it with soft hands to the fielder at short leg who collects on the bounce.

Outside off on the back of a length, Angelo Mathews offers no shot at it and lets it pass alone.

Goes short does Gus Atkinson but way down the leg stump, Angelo Mathews sways away from the line of the ball. Jamie Smith moves to the direction of the ball, to his left and collects it high on his chest level.

Full again, identical line, on off, Angelo Mathews blocks it with soft hands to the off side.

Too full, on off, at 134 kph, Mathews prods ahead and meets the ball right under his eyes with a solid defence.

First false shot from Nissanka, but gets away! Woakes offers more width this time, on the back of a length, swinging away, Pathum Nissanka slashes hard at it to access the square of the wicket with a cut but misses.

Attacks the off peg, on a tighter line, Nissanka responds with a solid front foot defence.

FOUR! Nissanka has been so productive square of the wicket! Bread and butter for him! Back of a length, outside off, Nissanka gets a good bounce and width, pounces on it by weighing on the back foot and cutting it crisply past point for a boundary. The lead gets down to double figures now. 99 runs more needed.

Oh, an inswinger! Starts from outside off and curves back in sharply on the off and middle channel, Angelo Mathews negotiates well and clips it to wide mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, on the off stump, keeps low on the bounce, Angelo Mathews hops on the back foot and taps it off the inner half of the bat to the leg side.

Woakes continues from over the stumps! Fuller and angling on the leg stump line, at 126 kph, Angelo Mathews clips it with soft hands to wide mid on.

Fuller and on middle, shaping in, Angelo Mathews steps across a bit and flicks it away between mid-wicket and mid on for three more runs.

Hits the good length, angles into the batter, Angelo Mathews pats it towards mid on.

Hard length and on off, takes off a bit, Angelo Mathews rides the bounce well and keeps it out to the off side.

Back of a length and on off, Angelo Mathews stays on the back foot and blocks it out.

On a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka nudges it away through square leg for a single.

Short of a length and on off, Pathum Nissanka dabs it down towards point.

Back of a length and just outside off, Angelo Mathews plays inside the line of it as the ball goes through to the keeper.

Pitched up and on middle, Pathum Nissanka tucks it past short leg for one. Nelson on the board. Will this bring in a wicket for England?

Close call! Fuller one and on off, Angelo Mathews pushes it towards covers and sets off for the run, the fielder picks up but puts in a wild throw at the batter's end, Pathum Nissanka has to put in a desperate dive here. A direct hit from Atkinson, and it would have been close. Sri Lanka needs to communicate better between the wickets.

And again! Chris Woakes hits the length hard and in that channel outside off, shapes away again, Angelo Mathews has a poke at it as he completely opens up his body, but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Touch fuller and on off, Angelo Mathews hangs his bat out and blocks it out.

BEAUTY! Chris Woakes lands this on a good length and just around off, shapes away a shy bit, Angelo Mathews gets squared up as he does so often, tries to play at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka pats it down wide of short leg.

Hard length and on middle, jags back in sharply, Pathum Nissanka gets hurried, his bottom hand comes off but he manages to keep it down wide of short leg.

Fuller and on the pads, Angelo Mathews clips it towards fine leg for a single. Gets off the mark.

The Sri Lankan veteran, Angelo Mathews walks in at number 4 with 111 runs more to win.

OUT! TAKEN! Absolute screamer in the deep! No luck this time for Kusal Mendis and Gus Atkinson gets his man. He bowls another sharp short ball, angling into the batter, Kusal Mendis once again goes for the pull, but the ball gets big on him, takes the top edge and flies wide of fine leg, Shoaib Bashir stationed there moves to his left a bit and then takes a stunning diving catch with both hands. England needed a wicket badly and they got the opening as Atkinson breaks the 69-run stand for the second wicket! Mendis departs on a brisk 39.

Back of a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka guides it towards point for a single.

In the air....safe! Gus Atkinson bangs in a sharp bouncer here, on middle, Kusal Mendis goes for the pull shot but gets hurried a bit, the ball takes the top edge and goes up in the air. However, it lands wide of Shoaib Bashir at deep square leg who runs in from deep fine and mops it up. They cross.

Short of a length and outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts it away, not from the middle but in the gap, point runs after it and collects it. Three runs taken.

Pitched up and on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it through cover-point for a run.

A stifled appeal for LBW, but turned down! Hard length and on middle, nipping back in sharply, Pathum Nissanka looks to work it across the line but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka stays in his crease and blocks it out.

Fuller and on middle, angles down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka looks to flick but misses, it goes off his pads to the keeper, Jamie Smith collects it and appeals, but nothing doing.

Risky run! Good length and on off, shapes away, Kusal Mendis steers it off the outer half of the bat to wide of point, the batters hesitate a bit for the single but set off for it eventually, Gus Atkinson picks up and scores a direct hit at the batter's end, but Mendis just about manages to get inside. The replay confirms the same!

On a length and on off, keeps low again, Pathum Nissanka tries to guide it away but gets a bottom edge on the pitch as the ball rolls towards short leg.

Touch fuller, on middle, angling in and keeps low too, Pathum Nissanka adjusts well to get his bat down in time and blocks it out.

Hits the good length, on off, nips back in, Pathum Nissanka gets a bit cramped up, but manages to negate the bounce and keeps it out to the leg side.

Back of a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka hops up and pats it on the bounce to short leg.

Full again and on off, shapes in again, Pathum Nissanka drills it down the ground, but there is a mid on who mops it up.

Full and on middle, shaping in sharply, Pathum Nissanka looks to block it out but gets an inside edge just past short leg, the batters take two. 100 up for Sri Lanka! They now need 118 more runs to win.

Hits the length hard, on off again, Kusal Mendis stabs it down towards gully this time.

Short of a length and around off, Kusal Mendis dabs it out towards point.

Pitched up and angling into the pads, Pathum Nissanka glances it towards fine leg for a single.

Edged but does not carry! Pulls his length back a bit, on off, nips away again, Pathum Nissanka prods forward and defends with soft hands, it takes the outside edge and goes on two bounces to second slip.

More movement! Fuller one and on middle, shapes away again, Pathum Nissanka gets squared up, the ball goes off the leading edge and rolls safely towards cover-point.

Chris Woakes begins with a good-length delivery, on off, shapes away a bit, Pathum Nissanka stays back and blocks it out towards short covers.

Chris Woakes (6-0-32-1) to share the attack. Three slips and a gully in position for him to start with.

FOUR! Sri Lanka gets going on Day 4! Gus Atkinson pitches it up a bit more and on off, Kusal Mendis strides out, presents the full face of the bat and drives it away beautifully through mid off, Ollie Pope gives chase and slides in to push it back inside but fails to do so. First boundary of the day!

Hard length, on middle, Kusal Mendis clips it towards short leg, a fumble but no harm done.

Goes fuller this time, on off, shaping in, Kusal Mendis blocks it out with a straight bat.

Short of a length and just outside off, Kusal Mendis goes for the cut but loses his bottom hand and mistimes it to point.

Back of a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis stays back and pats it down towards short mid-wicket.

Not an ideal start! Gus Atkinson goes full but loses his line and serves this down the leg side, Kusal Mendis misses his flick.

All set for Day 4 to commence at the Kennington Oval! The floodlights are glittering with the spectators in their hoodies and sweaters as it is a cold London morning. The umpires and the English players have already taken their positions. Gus Atkinson will get things underway with the ball. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will resume their innings for Sri Lanka with Mendis to face the first delivery. Here we go...

As reckoned by Nasser Hussain on-air yesterday, the London skies are dark with a thick cloud cover hovering, threatening to pour down. Also, it is comparatively very cold and windy out there - 15 degrees, to be precise. It hasn't rained though, but the moisture content of a cold morning, with an already dampened surface coming into Day 4, will play a big factor as it will help the ball to curve and tail in. The seamers often tend to get some assistance off the deck in such conditions. So, the first hour of play will be very crucial from both teams' perspectives.

Despite conceding the lead, Sri Lanka showed far more hunger and determination than in previous games. Their bowlers were on point from the start, and every decision by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva paid off immediately. The second session was crucial, with Vishwa Fernando’s brilliant in-swinging yorkers removing Joe Root and Harry Brook. Though Jamie Smith fought back with a quick 67, Sri Lanka dismissed him just before Tea and swiftly cleaned up the tail. In the run chase, Pathum Nissanka took an aggressive approach, while Dimuth Karunaratne played cautiously before falling early. Kusal Mendis then joined Nissanka, and together they punished any loose deliveries. Nissanka reached a fine half-century as the duo started to reduce the target rapidly. Bad light interrupted their momentum, with Nissanka and Mendis unbeaten on 53 and 30, respectively, but they will hope that this partnership score the bulk of the remaining runs to secure a famous win on English soil. Stay tuned as all the action on Day 4 begins shortly.

England began Day 3 strongly, with their pacers exploiting the conditions to wrap up Sri Lanka's innings, securing a 62-run lead. However, in the brief period before Lunch, they lost Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope cheaply. After the break, England’s middle order collapsed again, with Jamie Smith being the lone bright spot. Despite little support, he counter-attacked brilliantly, scoring a quick-fire 67 and helping England set a target of 219. Though Chris Woakes dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne early, the hosts struggled to contain the batters. Sri Lanka responded with aggressive intent, nearly halving the target before Bad Light ended play. The hosts will hope that just like Day 3, they can use the conditions better in the morning session and put the pressure back on the Lankans by picking up a few wickets.

Hello and welcome, everyone! Day 3 was action-packed, with the game moving at a rapid pace. While the weather played its part again, Sri Lanka made an impressive comeback in the available play. They now find themselves in a strong position, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say they are the current favorites. England had a tough day with both bat and ball, and their hopes of finishing the summer with a perfect Test record have taken a hit. As we head into Day 4, despite some weather concerns, a result seems likely. The equation is simple - Sri Lanka needs 125 runs, while England requires 9 wickets.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Right then, that is it from our coverage of an immersive Day 3 of this final Test, Sri Lanka is in the driving seat with two of their accomplished batters standing unbeaten. Although, they will have to score 125 more runs to taste the sweet nectare of victory. Will they be able to prevent England from executing a 6-0 sweep in this summer? Or will England miraculously strike back as they have a decent attack in the bowling ranks? Only time will tell. The first hour of the new day's play will be very, very crucial from both teams' perspectives. We are far from drawing conclusions as of now, folks! Day 4 will commence on Monday, September 9th and the first ball will be bowled at 10 am GMT. Till then, take care!

So, the third day of this final Test has bounced back and forth in favor of both sides, but Sri Lanka surely will be the happier of the two sides to have managed to assert dominance as of now. England has been good, but in patches and now, they need 9 wickets but have 125 runs to defend. Well, a total of 98 overs were scheduled to be bowled today to cover the overs lost on the first two days, but since the light didn't permit it to continue any further, it means, we will have the same number of overs and if needed, another half an hour of extended play on Day 4, conditions applied with the weather permitting or we get the result before that.

In came the Pathum Nissanka-Kusal Mendis alliance who didn't flinch a bit and took the English bowlers, almost taking a leaf out of England's approach. They played on merit and avoided any risky shots that could create any inroad for the opposition. But fair to say, England wouldn't be really pleased with how the last session panned out for them.

However, as the third and final session began, Sri Lanka didn't waste much time to clean up the tail. They then faced the task of chasing 219 for victory, a target that, while seemingly moderate, carries significant weight in Test cricket where any pursuit exceeding 200 can prove challenging. Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka approached their innings with poise and skill, initiating a steady start to the chase. Their composed batting, coupled with a brisk scoring rate, especially from Nissanka, soon began to exert pressure on the English side. Karunaratne, mostly watchful, fell courtesy of a spectacular catch from Woakes in his own bowling.

Cut to the second session, Sri Lanka came well-prepared as their pacers ran a riot and cleaned up the English top order in a flash. Root, Duckett, Pope, and Brook all went without any impact and Sri Lanka were sniffing a comeback with the lead not as threatening as it could. But in comes the young 24-year-old Jamie Smith who valiantly battled the storm single-handedly and bailed England out of an extremely turbulent situation. But, the Lankan bowlers are to be fairly blamed here, when the ball was doing its mischief when pitched on a fuller length, the ploy to drag the length back indeed cost them dearly as they were tonked mercilessly by Smith all over the park.

This dismissal triggered a procession of wickets. The pace bowlers, who had limited opportunities on the second day due to poor light, diligently performed their duties this time around, removing Sri Lanka's lower-order batters who struggled to add runs. Despite this, Sri Lanka managed to reduce the deficit to double digits. England's bowlers implemented a strategy of short-pitched deliveries to dismantle the Sri Lankan tail. This tactic proved effective, allowing England to execute their plans successfully and secure a 62-run lead. Coming to bat, the Englishmen didn't flinch from their 'Bazball' style of play and showed intent straightaway. Duckett however, couldn't stay long and perished with Pope too, following suit right before Lunch.

'Moving Day', as the cricket pundits call it, and the first session had a bit of everything - rain, aggressive strokes, brilliant bowling all combined. England aimed to lay a siege on Day 3 at their opponents by taking early wickets and the first hour of any day in Test cricket is very crucial and a bit tough for the batting side. The ball moved and curved in the early morning and tested the patience of the batters. Hull, in redemption, dismissed DDS whom he dropped on Day 2.

Well, it didn't take long, did it? The official word is in and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 3! SESSION SUMMARY - 110 runs and 3 wickets in 18 overs! An amazing day of Test cricket and this is exactly why we love this format. The game ebbed and flowed and both sides had their moments, but as things stand, it is Sri Lanka who have the upper hand in this game needing 125 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand, and plenty of time in the Test as well.

UPDATE - 5.47 pm GMT - One more over? Not as of now. The artificial light has taken over now and the players are being requested to walk off the field. It is not officially called Stumps as yet though. Nasser on-air reckons that the weather for Day 4 is not a promising one either.

Drags his length back, on middle, Pathum Nissanka moves back and pats it to the leg side.

Flighted, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis sweeps it away towards deep square leg for one.

TURN AND BOUNCE! Floats this up, short and outside off, this one lands in the rough and turns in viciously with extra bounce, Kusal Mendis has no time to get out of the way as it hits his gloves and falls on the pitch.

Short again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Goes short and on middle, Kusal Mendis moves back and pulls it away through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Sweeps and sweeps well! Tossed up, full and around middle, Kusal Mendis goes down on one knee and swipes it away excellently through square leg, it zips away to the fence for a boundary.

Well, it has started to drizzle now, and the umpires also deem that the light is not safe enough for the pacers to bowl. Ollie Pope has a chat with the umpire and after having a discussion with his players asks Shoaib Bashir to come into the attack. This probably can be the last over of the day as well. We can see the shadows of the players and a thick cloud cover hovering over at The Oval. The floodlights are glittering now as well.

FOUR! Cracked away! FIFTY for Nissanka! His 7th in the Test career! Josh Hull overcompensates and lands a juicy half volley around off, Pathum Nissanka pats his front foot, slaps it through the cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

Oh, almost a chance created! Hull gets some inward movement on the fullish length, at the middle and off channel, Pathum Nissanka is a bit early in his defence and plays over the line of the ball, inside edges it onto the pads.

Back of a length, on the middle, Pathum Nissanka hops on the back foot and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a quick brace.

Oh, that almost flew off the deck, but Jamie Smith does well to collect it behind the stumps! Hull gets a good bounce and carry on a good length, across off, Nissanka goes for a wild pull and misses.

Attacks the pegs, on a fuller length, Pathum Nissanka watchfully guides it to gully.

Back of a length on the leg stump, defended off the back foot.

Drinks! Well, the Sri Lankans have well and truly asserted their dominance in this Test now. With 219 to chase, Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne started off steadily with the former scoring at a brisk rate. Sri Lanka did lose Karunaratne cheaply but the Kusal-Nissanka alliance has looked unfazed. They have added 42 runs together so far without any risky strokes. England on the other hand, haven't been at their A-game with the ball and need wickets, in a bulk, that too, quickly to even stay in the game. Josh Hull to continue after the Drinks break.

Banged in short and around off, Kusal Mendis is hurried into the shot and manages it to glove it away to the wide point region. It must have stung him hard on the fingers though.

At the pegs, on a fullish length, Kusal Mendis watchfully blocks it to the right of Olly Stone.

Back of a length, at the middle stump line, Kusal Mendis taps it to short mid-wicket and straightaway denies a single on a sharp call.

Brings the angle a bit closer but it is still outside off, on a good length, Kusal Mendis hangs his bat and gets beaten on the back foot.

FOUR! Crunched away! The Sri Lankan batters have been very productive through the covers! Short of a good length, a hit me ball outside off, Kusal Mendis pounces on the width and crunches it with a solid punch through cover for a boundary.

Olly Stone replaces Woakes! Starts off with a good length ball, at off, Pathum Nissanka shuffles a bit to the off side and gets behind the line of the ball and tucks it with soft hands to the square leg region for an easy single.

FOUR! Kusal Mendis into his 20s now! Sweetly timed shot! Across off on the back of a length, Kusal Mendis waits for it to arrive, goes on the back foot and cuts it past cover-point for a cracking boundary. No chance for Olly Stone to intercept it who charges in to his right from deep backward point.

Pope has now moved from gully to mid-wicket! Hull bangs it short at 132 kph, on the leg stump, Kusal Mendis pulls it comfortably towards deep mid-wicket and completes the second run easily.

Hull searches for a fuller one, but slips in a tailing in full toss on the knee length, Kusal Mendis reacts a bit late to swipe it across, inside edges onto the pads.

Short of a length on the off stump, Nissanka gets on his toes and pushes to the left of extra cover for a quick single.

FOUR! Nissanka is looking unstoppable and is caressing the ball with sheer timing! In-between length, across off, Pathum Nissanka gets the desired bounce, transfers his weight on the back foot and punches it solidly through point for a boundary.

Full and outside off, Pathum Nissanka pats his front foot ahead and lofts it over covers for a brace.

FOUR! In the gap and four more! Chris Woakes bowls a tired delivery, a predictable short one, on the middle, sits up nicely for Kusal as he weighs back and pulls it along the ground and though the vacant deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. Chris Woakes probably won't get another over as he has already bowled six on the bounce.

Back of a length, and outside off, Kusal Mendis lets it be.

Short of a good length and angling away, outside off, Kusal Mendis gets squared and opens his body, gets nicked and the ball rolls to gully.

FOUR! Flicked away nicely! Chris Woakes misses his line and sprays it on the leg stump line, on a fullish length, Kusal Mendis commits on the front foot and flicks it with a still head position, through the diving Shoaib Bashir at mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good length and outside the off stump, Kusal shoulders his arms.

FOUR! Creamed away! Fuller in length, it swings away from outside off, Kusal Mendis walks a couple of steps ahead, but stays leg side of the ball, sits on his knee with a stride ahead and slaps it past covers for a boundary.

Shaping down the leg a bit more, on a length, Pathum Nissanka misses to tickle it away and Jamie Smith collects it low to his left.

Length ball swinging back on the pads. Nissanka looks to flick and is hit on the pad.

A vicious beamer from Hull, but wide of off. Nissanka just about manages to leave.

Woakes has been absolutely athletic in the field! Excellent effort by the veteran. With this, 50 comes up for Sri Lanka! Full and on the leg stump. Nissanka goes forward and drives it hard, but closes the face of the bat hitting to the right of mid on, Woakes puts the afterburners and sprints to chase the ball, puts in a dive, lands on his left shoulder near the fence and rolls over past the boundary. Nissanka and Mendis complete four runs anyways.

A wide leg slip is in now for Hull. He bowls it on the fourth stump line, it holds its line and straightens rather than swinging into the batter. Pathum Nissanka gets ahead and plays inside the line and gets beaten by a whisker on the outside edge.

Hull starts with three slips in place including a wide gully. Begins from over the pegs, lands it on a hard length, across off, Pathum Nissanka weighs on the front foot with a good stride ahead and shoulders arms at it.

First change in bowling from England. Josh Hull, the debutant is brought into the attack now. He replaces Gus Atkinson.

Oh, this one curves back a fraction from outside off, on a nagging length, Kusal Mendis reads it closely and makes a watchful leave.

Holds on the line outside off, on a hard length, Kusal Mendis stays leg side of the ball and punches it off the back foot towards the short cover region.

Length outside off, left alone.

Straight and angling on the pads, Kusal Mendis misses to glance it away and wears it high on the thigh pad. The ball trickles to the square leg region and they cross for the double quickly.

Shortish length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis swivels for a pull shot but inside edges it onto the thigh pad and the ball rolls to the short cover region.

Four slips and a gully in place for Woakes now! He goes full and straight at off, Pathum Nissanka prods ahead to drive it straight but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards the wide mid-wicket region for a quick single.

Straight and on the pads, Pathum Nissanka misses to flick and wears it on the front pad. The ball deflects and lobs a bit uppishly and lands to the square leg region. Olly Stone from short fine leg runs to his left and intercepts the ball. The batters do cross for a leg bye but cannot get more than that.

Spears in at 140 kph, does Atkinson, on a nagging length, attacking the off and middle channel, Kusal Mendis gets behind the line of the ball, hops on the back foot and punches it with soft hands to cover-point for a quick single.

Full and on the leg stump line, Pathum Nissanka steers it off the front foot towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length on the middle stump, Nissanka hops in the crease and turns in the leg side. Lawrence at short leg stops it from his toes.

Full and around off, Kusal Mendis watches it closely and taps it to short cover for a single.

Good length outside the off stump, Nissanka knocks it off the back foot in the extra cover region for a single.

Kusal Mendis walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Chris Woakes strikes! England needed that wicket and their most experienced pacer provides the breakthrough. He sets the batter up nicely here. Gets it to shape away on the previous ball, but this time gets it to nip back in from a fuller length, on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne with a half-stride looks to push it away but only manages to get an inside edge onto his pads as the ball loops up in the air, Woakes on his follow-through dives forward to take a fine catch. Sri Lanka lose their first!

Absolute beauty! Hits the good length and around off, shapes away sharply, Dimuth Karunaratne looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Touch fuller now, on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne knocks it down the pitch.

Back of a length and on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne stays back and blocks it out.

Wow..almost an action replay from the first innings! These two batters need to have better calling between the wickets. This is on a good length, on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne nudges it towards mid-wicket and sets off for the run, but is sent back by Nissanka on a late call when he is already halfway through. Ollie Pope has a shy at the batter's end but misses with Karunarante putting in a desperate dive in.

Full and around off, Pathum Nissanka takes his front foot closer to the line of the ball and drives it away through covers for three runs.

Bangs it into the pitch again, on off, Dimuth Karunaratne rides the bounce well and keeps it out to the off side.

Hard length and on off, takes off a bit, Dimuth Karunaratne hops up to play at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.

Back of a length and just outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne cuts it away through point for a brace.

Goes back to his fuller length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka steps across and clips it away towards fine leg for a single.

Good length and on off, Pathum Nissanka guides it away towards point.

FOUR! Gets it through again! Fuller and around off, Pathum Nissanka extends his arms to reach out for it and drills it away from the bottom half of the bat, the ball races through mid off for a boundary.

Short of a length and on off, Dimuth Karunaratne punches it towards covers.

Hits the length hard now, on middle, shaping in this time, Dimuth Karunaratne fails to work it away and wears it high on the pads. An appeal for LBW, but turned down. Too high!

BEAUTY! Chris Woakes hits the good length around middle, gets it to nip away, Dimuth Karunaratne stays back in his crease to defend, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short of a length and on off, angling away, Dimuth Karunaratne leaves it alone.

Close! Back of a length and just around off, Pathum Nissanka looks to cut it away, but this is too close to his body, gets an inside edge that just goes past the stumps and towards fine leg. They cross.

On a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka tucks it away toward short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Not far away from Pope at gully but it goes through! Hard-length delivery around off, Dimuth Karunaratne climbs over the bounce and cuts it off the outer part of the bat, past gully and the backward point gap for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Dimuth Karunaratne dabs it down towards point.

Uppish but safe again! Fuller and on middle, Pathum Nissanka goes for the big drive again, but hits it from the bottom half of the bat, the ball flies in the air but well wide of short mid-wicket for three runs.

Good length but down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka misses his flick.

A massive shout for LBW, but turned down! However, England takes the review here. Gus Atkinson lands this on a good length and around middle, jags back in sharply, Pathum Nissanka looks to drive it away but he gets beaten by the inward movement and gets hit on the pads. UltraEdge shows no bat involved but Ball Tracking indicates that the impact is in the line of the stumps, but it is missing the leg stump on the projection. Pope now 0-10 in terms of review taken as skipper while fielding!

FOUR! Pathum Nissanka looks in really good touch here! Fuller and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka once again shows the full face of the bat and drills it away through mid on for his fourth boundary. Holds the pose for a few seconds!

A bit fuller and around off, angling away, Dimuth Karunaratne leaves it alone.

Length again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka works it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg for one.

Good length and on the fifth stump line, shapes away, Pathum Nissanka gets squared up as he steers it away towards point.

Pitched up and around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it away through covers for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full again and on off, no movement this time, Pathum Nissanka leans on a bit and drives it away with a high elbow extension, times it sweetly through mid off for a boundary.

Full and on middle, straightens a bit, Pathum Nissanka gets across and blocks it out.

Short of a length and around off, Dimuth Karunaratne punches it away through covers for a couple of runs. With that, Dimuth Karunaratne also crosses 7000 runs in Test cricket. He becomes the fourth Sri Lanka batter to achieve this feat after the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Angelo Mathews. And the second left-hander to do so for the island nation.

Hard length and on off, Dimuth Karunaratne stays back and stabs it out towards short covers.

Pitched up and on middle now, Dimuth Karunaratne steps across and tucks it away towards short mid-wicket.

Uppish but safe! Goes fuller and around off, Dimuth Karunaratne strides out to drive it away but gets an thickish outside edge that goes on the bounce to gully.

Back of a length and on the sixth stump line, angles away again, Dimuth Karunaratne lets it go to the keeper.

Gus Atkinson begins with a good-length delivery around off, angling away, Dimuth Karunaratne leaves it alone.

Gus Atkinson to operate from the end. He was off the field for most of the part of the day due to a quad issue but now he looks fit enough to charge in with the ball.

Short of a length and on off, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the off side. There is a bit of hesitation between the batters, but they do not take the run. 8 runs off the over then!

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Fuller one and just around off, angles in and then shapes away, Pathum Nissanka gets drawn into the drive, but gets an outside edge that goes through the gap between gully and slip cordon for a boundary.

Pitched up and on middle, Pathum Nissanka blocks it out down the pitch.

FOUR! Sri Lanka are underway! Chris Woakes goes a bit too full this time, on middle, shapes in, Pathum Nissanka presents the full face of the bat and just gently pushes it away, it goes right off the middle of the bat and races to the long on fence for a boundary.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka clips it towards short leg, Dan Lawrence picks it up on the bounce and fakes a throw at the batter's end.

Right on the money! Chris Woakes starts with a full delivery, on middle, shaping in, Pathum Nissanka strides out and tucks it away towards short mid-wicket.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That's it! Sri Lanka have wrapped England on 156! Asitha Fernando bangs it short and on the leg stump line, Bashir stands tall and swings across looking to pull it hard and through the leg side, but ends up getting a faint brush off the glove on it. The ball deflects and carries behind the pegs. Madushka there takes a simple catch moving to his left. Asitha Fernando finishes off with a couple of wickets.

Short of a length from Asitha, pitching outside the leg stump line, it stays a bit low on the bounce and Bashir is surprised by the lack of bounce. He swings and misses.

EDGED AND SAFE! Asitha Fernando surprises Hull with a steep bumper around off Josh Hull is hurried in the pull shot plays it much closer to the body and gets nicked on the outside edge that flies over the keeper's head. Nishan Madushka, the substitute keeper for Sri Lanka does leap high in the air, also gets fingertips to it but it deflects it to the deep third region. The fielder in the deep mops it up and they cross for a single.

A bit more close to the stumps, on an identical length, Josh Hull swivels to pull but misses to connect any bat on it.

Short and outside the off stump, Hull plays and a misses.

SIX! Gee, that's a fine shot from the debutant! Short, but not that short, however, down leg, Josh Hull waits for it, creates a good stable base weighing on the back foot and pulls away aerially over deep fine fence for a six.

Another ambitious appeal for caught behind but 'No' says the umpire. Lahiru goes much fuller this time and keeps it outside off, Shoaib Bashir crouches a bit to drive through the covers but fails to bring his bat down in time and plays it late. The ball flirts past his outside edge to the keeper.

Short and just outside off, Bashir takes his eyes off the ball and stings on his shoulder.

FOUR! Edged but through the gap! Length, outside off, Shoaib Bashir swooshes hard off the back foot, gets a thick edge that runs through the slips for a boundary.

Good length and wide outside off, left alone.

Shoaib Bashir is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Lahiru Kumara strikes for the fourth time and England are 9 down now. Lahiru Kumara stays over the stumps and lands on that in-between length, just outside the off stump line, slightly nipping away off the deck and getting that excessive bounce as well. Olly Stone stands upright and goes for a back foot slash through the covers with a horizontal bat angle but the ball gets a bit heavy on him and nicks the outside edge and goes behind the wickets. Nishan Madushka, the sub wicket-keeper makes no mistake and takes a simple catch at his face level.

FOUR! Punched away! Back of a length, around off, Olly Stone gets the desired bounce and width on offer, stands up and punches it on the up through covers for a boundary. The lead now is 207 runs.

Lahiru Kumara to share the attack.

Just short of gully! Back of a length, skidding through quickly off the deck, on the middle and leg, Josh Hull closes the bat face way too early and it goes off his gloves and lands in front of gully.

Over the wicket now, sharp good length ball, around off, Josh Hull hangs his bat away from his body and gets beaten.

First run after the Tea break for England. Back of a length, on the pads, Olly Stone hops on the back foot and glances it towards deep backward square leg for an easy single.

Around the wicket now, charges Asitha! Bangs it into the surface, but outside leg, Olly Stone swivels for a pull but misses to connect any bat.

Length, nipping away, outside off, Olly Stone swings and misses.

Starts off with a shorter one, over the top of off, Olly Stone attempts to ramp it over but it is just too high to connect. The fine third fielder is there for the trap though.

We are back for the final session! No signs of dark clouds and the sun is shining brightly here at the Oval. The players are making their way out to the middle now. Olly Stone gets a new batting partner in the form of Josh Hull. Asitha Fernando to start proceedings with the ball in this last session. Here we go...

... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

Right then, as true to its nature, the 'Moving Day' has moved rapidly. With England looking a bit more comfortable with a lead above 200, Sri Lanka will aim to get those two wickets as quickly as possible. And whatever adds to this lead, will be extremely beneficial for England to pressurize the islanders. Stay tuned as the third and final session of Day 3 is up next shortly. Join us at 4 pm GMT.

After Sri Lanka were bowled out with 62 runs left, all the demand was to strike a strong comeback with the ball and they got one. The Lankan pacers sincerely bowled their hearts out after the break. Used the breeze to their benefit and generated a decent movement. Lahiru Kumara struck thrice with the Fernando duos and Rathnayake, too, snagging wickets to their name. There was a bit of a cat and mouse versus Brook as well as they puzzled him outside off. Sri Lanka fought back hard as Dhananjaya de Silva was sharp with his bowling changes which came with a great effect. But towards the end, the weight of momentum tilted back in balance as Sri Lankan bowlers embraced a short ball ploy, which, didn't quite go well for them. Vishwa Fernando did manage to dismiss Smith, but it was all after a stormy inning from him.

The second session too, was interrupted due to rain for a brief period. Dan Lawrence and Joe Root tried to form a steady alliance after that. Lawrence however, scored a run-a-ball 35 but looked rusty for most of the part before perishing. With 3 down on 56, and the lead just above 120, England needed a steady hand to extend the lead. But Root, too, fell at quick intervals without much of an impact. England slipped from 56/2 to 82/7 in just a span of 12 overs or so. Jamie Smith stuck at one end showed some positive intent towards the end and sailed England single-handedly, from what looked like a precarious position to a much better one. But he perished right at the stroke of Tea after notching a quickfire 67 off just 50 rocks.

TEA, DAY 3 - SESSION SUMMARY - 23.2 overs, 105 runs, 6 wickets! Wow, what a rollercoaster of a session this has been as we head into Tea on Day 3. The momentum has tilted back and forth in this Test so far. The session started with Sri Lankan bowlers on the top but England, despite losing quick wickets midway through, wouldn't be too displeased to go back to the sheds as they managed to extend the lead above 200 runs, courtesy of Jamie Smith's immaculate acceleration.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Oh..no! Jamie Smith falls on the very last delivery of this session. You would think, he could have just blocked that, but that is not how England plays this game. This is on a good length from Vishwa Fernando, on middle, Jamie Smith backs away a bit and has a swipe across the line, but this goes more from the inside half of the bat and flies straight to short mid-wicket, Kusal Mendis there shows good reflexes and takes a sharp catch. That fielder was just placed before this ball, and Lanka gets the reward. Smith departs after an entertaining 67 and that will be TEA on DAY 3!

FOUR! The game is slipping away from Sri Lanka now! Not that short from Vishwa Fernando, but on a good length, on middle, Jamie Smith takes a big stride forward and heaves it away past mid-wicket for four more runs. The lead goes over 200 runs now!

FOUR! Superb batting! Vishwa Fernando changes the angle, goes around the wicket, lands this back of a length and outside off, Jamie Smith accepts the width on offer and smashes it away through covers for another boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, Jamie Smith tries to cut it away but bunts it on the ground.

FOUR! 'Catch it is the call, but this one's in the gap! Short of a length and around middle, Jamie Smith takes it on, swivels and pulls it away, expertly finds the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters!

Fuller and around off, Olly Stone strides out and plays a lovely cover drive, Lahiru Kumara chases after it and just about manages to push it back inside in time with a dive forward. Three runs taken.

FOUR! Powered away! Hard length this time and just around off, Jamie Smith backs away to free his arms and slaps it away past mid off for another boundary. England are 187 runs ahead now!

Sharp bowling! Asitha Fernando bangs in a surprise bouncer, on middle, Jamie Smith goes for the pull shot, but gets hurried and is very late on the shot, the ball flies just over his head.

On a length and on leg, Olly Stone nudges it towards fine leg for a single.

Tocuh fuller, on off, Olly Stone knocks it back to the bowler with no timing at all.

BEATEN! Good length and around off, swings away sharply, Olly Stone slashes hard at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and on off, Olly Stone stabs it out to the off side.

FIFTY FOR SMITH! A sensational knock from him and at his home ground as well. 3rd Test half-century in just six matches. Hard length and on middle, Jamie Smith works it away between mid-wicket and mid on and comes back for the second run.

Back of a length and on middle, Jamie Smith works it away through mid-wicket for a brace. He moves to 49 now!

FOUR! The crowd is finding its voice again! Vishwa Fernando bangs in a short one now, on middle, Jamie Smith stands tall and heaves it away, beats the mid-wicket fielder to his left as the ball races away to the fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Wonderful batting! Vishwa Fernando goes full again and on leg, Jamie Smith uses his feet to go inside out, extends his arms nicely and smacks it over the head of mid off for a boundary.

Full again and on the leg stump line, Jamie Smith easily nudges it away wide of mid-wicket for a brace. The runs are coming thick and fast now!

Fuller and on the pads, Jamie Smith clips it away aerially wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

A maiden to follow that expensive over! Short of a length again, on middle, shapes in, Olly Stone gets a bit cramped up but does well to stab it to the leg side.

Goes on a good length and on middle, but this one too angles down the leg side, Olly Stone looks to glance it away but misses.

Bangs in a bouncer now, on middle, Olly Stone ducks under it.

Half an appeal, but nothing doing! Asitha Fernando hits the hard length and on the sixth stump line, gets it to nip away late, Olly Stone has a nibble at it but just gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short of a length but way down the leg side, Olly Stone leaves it alone.

Back of a length and on off, shoots up off the surface, Olly Stone stays back to block it but takes one on the thump as the ball falls on the pitch.

FOUR MORE! 20 runs off the over! Hard length and around off, Jamie Smith stays back in his crease, gets on top of the ball and punches it away with sweet timing through covers for four more runs. The lead is 166 runs now!

FOUR! Glorious shot! Milan Rathnayake goes fuller and on middle, Jamie Smith presents the full face of the bat and lifts it smoothly over the bowler's head for a boundary. Smith is getting a move on now, the 100 also comes up for England!

Much better! Good length and on off, Jamie Smith stays back and blocks it out.

SIX! BANG! Jamie Smith goes big now! Short of a length and on middle, but not that short, Jamie Smith easily gets on top of that and heaves it away 10 rows back over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! That's a great shot! Back of a length and outside off, Jamie Smith finally gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it away wide of deep point for a boundary.

In the air....safe! Fuller and around off, swinging away, Jamie Smith uses his feet and looks to whip it away across the line, but gets a top edge, the ball flies high in the air, Vishwa Fernando at mid off runs backward only to see the ball land well in front of him. Two runs taken.

Short stuff again, on middle, another easy duck for Stone.

Short of a length and on off, Olly Stone hops up and keeps it out to the off side. The Lankans need to make him play to create chances here.

Digs in another bouncer, on middle and leg, angling in, Olly Stone ducks under. That's the second of the over.

The Sri Lankan bowlers have been more on the shorter side of the pitch since a few overs now which isn't really generating any good result for them. Now, a leg slip comes in place for Asitha.

Fiery stuff! Asitha Fernando comes 'over the wicket and lands this back of a length, takes off viciously, Olly Stone drops his hands and sways away from the line of it.

Another bumper, on middle and leg, Olly Stone ducks underneath it again.

The field is set for the short-ball tactics! Asitha Fernando as expected bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Olly Stone ducks under it.

Asitha Fernando (7-0-36-1) is back on. He replaces Milan Rathnayake.

Hard length, across off, Olly Stone taps it to wide mid off for a quick single.

A nothing delivery again. Down leg on a length, Stone misses to flick.

Goes full and slightly on the off stump line, Olly Stone gets a thickish inside edge that runs to mid-wicket.

Identical line and length, going down leg once again. Madushka makes a good diving stop behind the pegs.

An ambitious appeal for caught behind but just out of excitement. Vishwa Fernando hurls it down the leg stump line with the ball further curling down leg, on a fuller length, Olly Stone walks across a bit to clip it away but misses and Nishan Madushka dives low to his left to collect it. Vishwa thought that it nicked off Stone's inside edge but no one else from the Sri Lankan camp is much interested here.

Back of a length, on leg, Olly Stone taps it to mid on.

Strays it on the pads, full in length, Olly Stone misses his flick shot and the ball deflects off his front pad and runs down to deep fine. They cross.

That testing length again! Shade of an away movement outside off, Olly Stone hangs his bat away from his body and gets beaten.

Olly Stone walks out to bat now.

OUT! LBW! A huge confident appeal for LBW from the Lankans and up goes the finger! Gus Atkinson chats briefly with Jamie Smith and decides not to review against it and walks away to the dressing room. Milan Rathnayake stays over the pegs, and spears in a fuller-length delivery, attacking the stumps, and slightly nipping back in. Gus Atkinson is trapped in front as he tries to prod ahead and go for the drive across the line. Goes a bit too across and gets rapped on the front pad and England are 7 down now.

On a length and around off, Gus Atkinson pushes it away towards covers.

Back of a length and on middle, angling into the body of the batter, Gus Atkinson looks to clip it away but misses.

Hard length, at off, Jamie Smith punches it off the back foot to wide point for a quick single.

Length on the stumps, around middle and leg, Gus Atkinson steers it to the square leg region.

An appeal for LBW, again! But the umpire, Joel Wilson is unmoved! Clearly pitching outside leg. Full in length and swinging further down leg, Gus Atkinson misses to flick and gets rapped on the front pad.

Nagging length, around off and middle, Gus Atkinson strides out and blocks it solidly to mid off.

Hard length, across off, Jamie Smith guides it behind square to backward point for a quick single.

Straight and full around middle and leg, Jamie Smith pushes it firmly to mid on.

Good length on the off stump line, Jamie Smith pushes it to the covers.

Short and going down leg, Gus Atkinson plays at it but misses.

Back of a length outside off, this pushed to deep point for a run.

Length delivery on the off stump line. Gus Atkinson drives and gets an inside edge to deep square for a single.

On length and off stump, this is driven down the ground. Asitha at mid on dives to his left to make a clean stop.

Back of a length outside the off stump, Jamie Smith cuts away to deep point for a single.

EDGED AND FOUR! Streaky but will do for Smith. Full and outside off. Smith goes for the drive but gets an outside edge and it goes through the slip cordon for a boundary.

An appeal for LBW but turned down! Vishwa Fernando hits the good length and pitches it on the leg stump line, Gus Atkinson misses to connect, and the ball hits the pads, and rolls towards wide of square leg. The square leg fielder charges at the ball with Atkinson stranded in the middle of the pitch to complete the run. A direct hit and Atkinson was a goner. But wait, hang on, Dhananjaya de Silva decides to opt a review for LBW here. Well, a waste of time as the Ball Tracking shows it is clearly pitching outside leg.

Fairly outside off on a length, Gus Atkinson leaves.

Attacks the middle, on a fuller length. Gus Atkinson does not move his feet at all and inside edges to square leg.

Same line, but on a fuller length this time, Jamie Smith flicks it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Wayward down leg on a hard length, Jamie Smith looks to guide it away with a glance by advancing, but misses by a mile.

Vishwa Fernando continues from over the stumps, clocks 132 kph, on the back of a length, on middle and leg, Jamie Smith watchfully blocks it off the back foot.

Outside off, a nip-backer that jags back in sharply after pitching, on a length, Jamie Smith weighs forward to drive it through the covers but gets a thickish inside edge that runs towards deep backward square leg. They cross for a single.

Attacks the line of the off stump, on a good length, Jamie Smith jumps on the back foot and punches it solidly to point.

Back of a length, over the top of off and middle, Jamie Smith rides on the bounce and taps it to the leg side with soft hands.

Slightly full and on off, Jamie Smith prods ahead and confidently responds it to short cover.

Slightly full and outside off, Smith shoulders arms at it.

Milan Rathnayake comes into the attack. Hurls it full and right in the channel around off, Jamie Smith expects the ball to swing away and attempts to drive over the line of the ball and gets deceived. Hangs his bat away from his body and it creates a huge gap between the bat and the pad. The ball sneaks past his inside edge.

Drinks! Well, a lot has happened after the play resumed since Lunch. Sri Lanka have once again managed to pick up wickets in clusters and not only that, but they now find themselves in a position from where they can think about winning this game. They are already into the lower order now with only Jamie Smith being the last recognised batter. The hosts are in a spot of bother, and they will have to decide whether to survive here or try to score as much as possible because the conditions here are still favorable for the fast bowlers. A really exciting phase of play awaits us. Also, Milan Rathnayake to bowl after the break.

Length ball around the pads, Jamie Smith clips it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Good length and swinging in down the leg side. Nishan Madushka dives makes a good stop there.

Good length on the leg stump, this is defended to cover.

On a length and on middle, Jamie Smith gets behind the line of it and keeps it out to the leg side.

Full and on the pads, Jamie Smith clips it away towards short mid-wicket.

Pitched up, on middle, shaping in, Jamie Smith drills it towards mid on.

Fuller, on middle, Gus Atkinson blocks it out.

Halt! Oh, dear! This does not look good for Chandimal. He is on the ground in extreme pain as he tried to leap in the air to collect the ball. The physio is out there in no time to check him up. Nishan Madushka is gearing up and walking down the stairs to take the field in place of Chandimal who is limping badly due to a probable back spasm. He is being helped by the physio but he can barely walk here. As he struggles to climb the stairs of the dressing room, he is supported by two of his teammates. But, this is not a good sign for Sri Lanka.

Short of a length but angling way down the leg side, Gus Atkinson lets it go, Dinesh Chandimal flies to his left to grab it with his outstretched left hand. However, he lands awkwardly on his back and looks in real discomfort here.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Another one bites the dust! The Sri Lankan players are celebrating wildly and the England fans cannot quite believe what they are seeing here. Lahiru Kumara goes wide of the crease and hits the good length, on off, this one angles in and then shapes away a bit, Chris Woakes stays in his crease and looks to defend it away from his body, gets a thin outside edge behind where Dinesh Chandimal dives forward and takes a good catch. England six down now!

Pitches it up a bit, on off, shaping in this time, Chris Woakes gets a good stride forward and fends it away.

Hard length and around off, shapes away, Chris Woakes has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and on off, Jamie Smith tries to push it away but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for a single.

Touch fuller, on off, Chris Woakes hangs his bat away and blocks it.

Good length and around off, Chris Woakes keeps it out to the off side.

Chris Woakes walks in at number 7.

OUT! LBW! Vishwa Fernando with the double whammy! He is absolutely on fire here! England are crumbling at the Oval, who would have thought this? This is another sharp in-swinger, full and and on middle from over the wicket, once again swings in late, Harry Brook gets stuck in his crease and looks to flick it away, but misses it completely and gets rapped on the pads. Fernando already starts running away as an appeal goes up, and the finger goes up as well. Brook takes a review, but the only thing that can save him here is if he has hit that. Otherwise, it's plumb. UltraEdge shows no bat and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. England lose half their side now and another review as well!

Almost! Vishwa Fernando bowls that in-swinging yorker again, Harry Brook just manages to get his bat down in time to dig it out. Looks at Fernando and gives a smile.

Fuller and on off, shaping in, Harry Brook prods forward and blocks it out.

Good length and on off, angling in, Jamie Smith is solid in his defense again.

Lahiru Kumara bangs in a bouncer now, on middle, Jamie Smith ducks under it well.

Back of a length and on middle, Jamie Smith stays back and keeps it out.

Good leave! Lahiru Kumara lands this on a hard length and just around off, jags back in sharply. Jamie Smith trusts the bounce on the surface and leaves it on length, the ball goes past the off pole.

Pitches it up, on off, Jamie Smith looks to drive it through covers but hits it from the bottom part of the part, it rolls wide of mid on for a brace.

On a length and on off, Jamie Smith steers it away towards point.

Very full again, outside off, angles away too, Harry Brook leaves it alone.

Touch fuller, on middle, swinging in again, Jamie Smith looks to play at it but gets an inside edge through square leg for a single.

Good length and on off, Jamie Smith stays back and blocks it out.

Jamie Smith walks in at number 6 for England.

OUT! LBW! Joe Root is gone! Massive moment in this Test! Absolute corker of a delivery from Vishwa Fernando and the bowling change works again for Sri Lanka. Dhananjaya de Silva is absolutely spot on with his decisions here. Fernando steams in from over the wicket and nails the yorker with precision, on middle, swinging in very late, Joe Root gets surprised by it and looks to clip it away, but his head falls and he gets hit on the front pad on the full. A huge shout for LBW, and up goes the finger. Root reviews it but he does not look that confident. UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitching the line of the stumps and crashing into the middle and leg stumps on the projection. Root walks back for just 12! England slips from 56/2 to 66/4. Sri Lanka right back into the contest.

Fuller and around off, Joe Root strides out and taps it towards short covers.

FOUR! Classy shot! Vishwa Fernando serves this very full and just around off, Joe Root leans on to his drive nicely, keeps his head right over the ball and creams it through covers for a boundary. Root surpasses Kumar Sangakkara's tally of Test runs.

Vishwa Fernando replaces Asitha Fernando.

Nagging length, on the off stump line, Harry Brook plants his front foot ahead and meets the ball right underneath his eyes to block it solidly.

Angling down leg, on a shortish length, Root swivels and miscues the pull shot off the inner part of the bat towards deep backward square leg for a single.

In the channel of off, on a length, Harry Brook gets on the front foot and mistimes his shot off the inner half of the blade, down the ground for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root with his trademark cut shot executes it just about right, but finds Dimuth Karunaratne at backward point who fumbles and parries it to the deep third region. They cross.

Hard-length delivery, at middle, Joe Root hops on the back foot and clips it to mid-wicket.

Kumara continues, clocks 136 kph, length ball that nips into the batter sharply, Joe Root arches back from the crease and looks to work it down to third man but gets a thick edge to the off side.

Excellent channel, excellent delivery! Good length ball, swinging away outside off, Harry Brook patiently leaves it alone. This has been a good little phase for the islanders.

Sprays on the pads and full in length, Joe Root brings his bat down late to push it to the leg side and the ball deflects off his front thigh pad to the wide short fine region. They cross for a leg bye.

Keeps it well outside off on a hard length, Harry Brook cuts it behind square along the ground for a single at deep point.

At off, this is pushed straight to mid off.

Absolute jaffa! Good-length delivery, starts from the off stump line and it moves away and lands on the seam, around off, Harry Brook plays inside the line of the ball and gets beaten all ends up. Sri Lankan pacers testing Brook's vulnerability outside off at the moment.

Asitha continues, tempts Brook to drive at it, and gets a genuine outswing from outside off, on a fuller length, Harry Brook shows no interest.

A stifled appeal for LBW from Kumara, but no harm done! Lands it on the back of a length, and it stays comparatively low on the bounce this time, angling at off, Joe Root hops on the back foot but gets beaten by the lack of bounce and wears it on the pads.

Hard length, angling in and over the top of middle, Joe Root climbs on the bounce and pats it with soft hands towards point.

Brook gets off the mark with a single! On middle, on a length, Harry Brook tries to get behind the line of the ball but inside edges it towards wide square leg for a single.

Curling into the batter, but still outside off on a fullish length, Harry Brook prods ahead and slices it along the ground, straight toward point.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook has a feel for it and goes to slash it away from his body without any foot movement. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Harry Brook comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Lahiru Kumara strikes again. He gets his second wicket and gives a sendoff to Lawrence who falls for his own aggression! Lahiru Kumara continues from 'over the stumps and lands it on that in-between length, aiming the stumps, Dan Lawrence throws himself for a big shot into the stands over the off side. Gets his dancing shoes on, swings hard but loses his shape in the process and ends up outside edging it straight to Dinesh Chandimal behind the wickets. Chandimal makes no mistake and England lose their third wicket on 56. Sri Lanka fighting back hard here. Dan Lawrence departs on a run-a-ball 35.

Short of a length on the stumps, Lawrence tucks it in the mid-wicket region for a single to retain the strike.

FOUR! This is good batting! Short in length, and outside off with a hint of an away movement, Dan Lawrence stays where he is but gets on the back foot and creams the square cut through cover-point for a boundary.

Slightly outside off on a back of a length, Dan Lawrence is uninterested to poke at it.

SIX! Intent! Lawrence moves into his 30s with that! Serves a friendly half volley around off, Dan Lawrence charges down the track and creates room before powering it behind long off for a six. 50 up for England.

Hard length, outside off, Dan Lawrence climbs on the bounce and punches it with soft hands and along the grass through cover-point for a couple of runs.

Peach of a delivery! Back of a length, lands it around off, Dan Lawrence hangs his bat away from him with barely any footwork and gets beaten as the ball leaves him after pitching.

FOUR! Root gets his first boundary! Lahiru Kumara loses the length and serves a loosener, short and at a predictable height for Root. He gets in position quickly by weighing on the back foot and pulls it through deep square leg for a boundary.

Swings gently into the batter on a fuller length, at 134 kph, Joe Root prods ahead and drives it solidly to mid off.

Attacks the off and middle pegs, on a length, Joe Root brings his bat in line of the ball and pushes it firmly to mid on.

Shortens his length does Kumara, but keeps it outside off, Joe Root opts out of the pull shot as it bounces a bit more off the pitch.

Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root offers no shot at it.

Quite full on the middle and leg, Joe Root prods ahead, middles the ball and pushes it with a straight bat face, wide of mid on for a couple of runs.

Swinging away outside off, Lawrence shoulders his arms.

Back of a length around off, at 131 kph, Lawrence defends it to covers off the back foot.

How has that missed the stumps? Asitha Fernando bowls much closer now from wide of the crease, on the middle and on a length, Dan Lawrence shuffles and walks a couple of steps outside off to flick it over the inner ring but misses. The ball flirts and passes just over the middle stump. Dinesh Chandimal fails to grab it cleanly and it deflects behind the second slip. A game of margins!

Excellent delivery! Shade outside off with a brilliant seam position, lands it full and outside off, Dan Lawrence goes for a firm push but plays inside the line and gets beaten by a whisker on the outside edge.

Sprays this one down leg and Lawrence misses the flick.

Asitha hurls it on a fullish length, outside off, Dan Lawrence slices it through point. The ball rolls towards the fence. Kamindu Mendis sprints from the deep covers to his left and slides in, intercepts the ball but parries it behind him but redeems himself and prevents it from breaching the boundary. Allows another run. Two taken.

We are back...again! Sri Lankan players are in their respective field positions. Dan Lawrence and Joe Root to resume batting for England. Asitha Fernando to share the attack after Lunch.

UPDATE - 1.36 pm GMT -  As expected, it was just a passing shower, and it has cleared up at The Oval. The covers are coming off as well and we are not far away from the restart.

UPDATE - 1.25 pm GMT - Oh..no! The rain has picked up pace now and the players are walking off the field. There are not many dark clouds above the ground and this is probably a passing shower. However, the forecast did say that we can expect showers at regular intervals, and by the looks of it, Day 3 will be a stop-start kind, but whatever play is possible, we hope that the game moves at a fast pace. For now, we can only wait and hope. Stay tuned for further updates.

Drags the length this time around does Kumara, outside off, Joe Root arches and cuts it to gully where Pathum Nissanka makes a good diving intercept. A wicket-maiden over from Lahiru Kumara.

Lahiru Kumara continues after the Lunch break, over the stumps and nails in a good yorker on off, Joe Root tilts ahead, brings his bat down quickly, and squeezes it out to point.

We are back for the post-Lunch session! The players are already out in the middle. There is a slight drizzle as the umbrellas are going up in the crowd. However, it is not heavy enough to halt proceedings here. Joe Root joins Dan Lawrence at the crease for England. Lahiru Kumara will finish his incomplete over.

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would have liked to add a few more runs to the total, but from the position that they were in, they would have taken this with both hands. England came out to bat with an aggressive intent that was evident in their strokeplay. Dan Lawrence swung at absolutely everything but connecting rarely. Ben Duckett played a couple of good shots but had to depart early. Lawrence survived a few scares, but Pope's stay was cut short by Lahiru Kumara just before Lunch. A masterstroke by Dhananjaya de Silva to bring him to bowl just one over and it worked like a charm. Now, they have an opening that they would want to exploit while the hosts as we know will continue to go hard at them. An exciting second session awaits us. Join us at 1.25 pm GMT to enjoy all the action.

England wasted no time in breaking the overnight partnership, with Josh Hull redeeming himself after dropping Dhananjaya de Silva on Day 2. Rain briefly interrupted play, but after the restart, Chris Woakes dismissed Kamindu Mendis, and the bowlers didn’t allow Sri Lanka to add many more runs, wrapping up the innings quickly and maintaining a 62-run lead.

Well, with that massive wicket for Sri Lanka, LUNCH has been called on DAY 3! SESSION SUMMARY - 87 runs and 7 wickets in 24 overs! This first session had a bit of everything - rain showers, dark clouds, a surprise glimpse of sunshine, wickets tumbling intermittently, and a few aggressive strokes. After all that, it’s safe to say that England are slightly ahead in the game with a lead of 97 runs, but Sri Lanka will also be not too unhappy about how things panned out.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! The change in bowling has worked for Sri Lanka and England lose their skipper right on the stroke of Lunch. Ollie Pope walks back to the dressing room in distraught and is absolutely livid with himself! Lahiru Kumara steams in from over the stumps and hurls it on the back of a length, just outside off, and it nips back into the batter after pitching. Ollie Pope hops on the back foot and attempts to run it down to the short third region, an area where he was so productive in the first innings. But it is too close to play that shot and Pope ends up inside edging it into the sticks. Lahiru Kumara sprints in celebration and that will be LUNCH on DAY 3.

Nagging length, closer to the body on middle, Ollie Pope taps it off the back foot with soft hands onto the pitch.

Nice and full on the stumps, Ollie Pope prods ahead and drives it straight to mid off.

Kumara starts off his spell now from over the stumps. Length ball outside off, Ollie Pope guides it off the back foot to wide gully.

Lahiru Kumara comes into the attack now.

That testing length again from Asitha! Good length, angling in from outside off, Dan Lawrence gets in a bit of a tangle as the ball springs off the surface. Manages it to tap it to the surface from the higher part of the willow.

Wide of off with a gentle away movement, Dan Lawrence is not interested to poke. Leaves.

Oh, this one takes off from the deck! Length ball, it climbs on the batter with an extra bounce on the middle, Ollie Pope gets a bit surprised with that excessive bounce but negotiates well, clips it along the ground to the square leg region for a single.

Nice and full, around off, Ollie Pope responds with a confident front foot defence.

FOUR! First boundary for the English skipper in this innings! Good-length delivery, on middle and leg, Ollie Pope reads the length quite early, steadies his base by weighing on the back foot, and short arm jabs it along the carpet towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Asitha continues for his fourth over on the bounce! Over the pegs, but angling down to the pads on a good length, Dan Lawrence nudges it towards wide deep mid-wicket with soft hands and along the ground for a single.

Keeps testing his patience, does Rathnayake! Pitched outside off on a good length, Ollie Pope is not at all interested to go fishing at it.

Spears it in on a good length, with an away nip, outside off, Ollie Pope walks down a couple of steps, but opts out of the shot and lets it pass.

Pitched up, full and on middle, Ollie Pope pats his front foot in the line and flicks it nicely along the ground, but finds mid on in the way.

Back of a length, angling on middle and leg, Dan Lawrence tilts forward and clips it to deep mid-wicket with soft hands to get to the other end.

Rare leave now! What a leveler this game is! Slight movement away from the batter, outside off, Dan Lawrence checks the ball closely, decides to leave.

And again! Wild swing and a miss! Milan Rathnayake charges in from over the stumps, lands it in the good length, nipping away a shade from off, Dan Lawrence skips down and makes some room to loft it over the inner ring over covers, but misses to connect.

Swing and a miss! Asitha Fernando bowls a tempter, full and well outside off, swings further away, Ollie Pope tries to reach out by throwing his bat at it, but it zips past the outside edge.

Good length and around off, Dan Lawrence steers it away towards point.

FOUR! Put away! Asitha Fernando bangs this one short and around middle, Dan Lawrence picks up the length early and gets into a good position, swivels, and hammers it away towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary. He timed it so well, it almost went over the fence, but the replays confirm it had bounced just inside.

Back of a length and on middle, Ollie Pope punches it past the bowler, mid on mops it up a bit casually. They cross. Dhananjaya de Silva is visibly not really happy with the fielding effort there as he thinks the fielder could have been more quick on the ball.

Touch fuller, on off, Ollie Pope opens the face of his bat and guides it straight to backward point.

Hard length and around off, Ollie Pope stays back and blocks it out right under his eyes.

Length again, on middle, Ollie Pope tucks it away nicely through square leg for a single and gets off the mark.

Good length and on the sixth stump line, shapes away, Ollie Pope gets into two minds, decides very late to leave it but fails to get the bat out of the way in time, the ball hits the bottom half of the bat and lands on the off side. No harm done.

Pulls his length back a bit, on off, Dan Lawrence pats it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Goes fuller and around off, swinging away, Dan Lawrence takes no chances and lets it go.

Back of a length but angling down the leg side, Dan Lawrence leaves it alone.

On a length and on off, shaping away, Dan Lawrence stabs it out towards short covers.

The English skipper, fresh from a 154 in the first innings, Ollie Pope walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Asitha Fernando draws first blood! A soft dismissal but Sri Lanka won't mind one bit. This one is full and swings into middle and leg, Ben Duckett stays deep in his crease and tries to loft it away across the line, but fails to get underneath the ball and his bat twists in his hand as well. As a result, he ends up lobbing it straight towards mid on where Vishwa Fernando takes a dolly. A shake of the head from Duckett, and England loses their first. Still leads by 82!

On a length and on middle, Ben Duckett pats it down to the leg side.

Dan Lawrence is not going to die wondering here! Good length and around middle, angling in, Dan Lawrence uses his feet and has a wild hoick across the line, gets an inside edge through square leg for just one.

Pitches it up, on off, nips away again, Dan Lawrence looks to drive but gets an outside edge this time that goes along the ground wide of third man. Two runs takens.

Uppish but safe! Fuller this time and around off, shaping away again, Dan Lawrence steps across to flick it away but closes the bat face early, gets a leading edge that luckily for him goes through the vacant backward point region for a brace.

BEAUTY! Asitha Fernando hits the length hard and in that channel outside off, gets it to shape away nicely, this one takes off as well, Dan Lawrence stays in his crease and has a poke at it, but just gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Ben Duckett joins the party now! Milan Rathnayake tries to test the batter with a short one, on middle, but this one sits up nicely for the batter, Ben Duckett gets on top of it and pulls it away over mid-wicket for a boundary. 11 runs off the over then!

Nicely played! On a length and on middle, Dan Lawrence tucks it away with nice timing, deep square leg runs to his right to pick it up, but the batters take three by then.

FOUR! Further evidence of how Dan Lawrence is going to play! Milan Rathnayake lands this back of a length and outside off, shapes away a bit, Dan Lawrence advances down the track, makes some room and carves it away over extra covers for a boundary.

Full and straight in line with the stumps, not much movement, Dan Lawrence drills it away straight to mid on.

Wayward! Milan Rathnayake loses his line and serves this full, but way down the leg side, Dan Lawrence looks to glance it away but is nowhere near the ball.

Milan Rathnayake begins with a full delivery, on off, Dan Lawrence gets his front foot closer to the line of the ball and knocks it towards mid on.

Milan Rathnayake to bowl from the Pavilion End.

Hits the length hard, on off, Ben Duckett pats it down towards mid off. 4 runs off the first over!

Back of a length and around middle, Ben Duckett stays back and blocks it out.

Pitched up but swinging down the leg side, Ben Duckett tries to flick it away but misses.

Shows intent! Asitha Fernando lands this on a hard length and on off, angles in sharply, Dan Lawrence uses his feet to cut the swing but gets beaten by the bounce, it goes off his hips towards fine leg. A leg bye is taken.

Goes fuller this time, on off, Ben Duckett taps it in front of mid off and takes a quick single.

Ben Duckett and England are underway straightaway! Asitha Fernando starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, just outside off, Ben Duckett gets on his toes and punches it through cover-point for a couple of runs.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shoaib Bashir does the job of picking the final wicket, and his first. But hang on, this is reviewed straightaway by Asitha as he thinks it came off his forearm and not the glove or the bat. Shoaib Bashir pushes it through again, lands full and outside off, with a hint of a turn into the batter. Asitha Fernando premeditates the reverse sweep but misses. The ball lobs off Fernando's shoulder Jamie Smith is quick to react, moves forward and takes a good sharp catch. However, UltraEdge comes up and it confirms that the ball did brush faintly on Asitha's gloves, which means it is out and Sri Lanka are all out on 263.

FOUR! Good shot! Shoaib Bashir pushes it through, full and on the off stump line, Asitha Fernando finds the length into his arc and sits down on his knees. Connects well and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Drinks! The sun is out here at the Oval, and the players will get some refreshments now. Since breaking that big partnership between Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, it has been all about England, but they are still searching for that last wicket. Sri Lanka trails by 66 runs and they will aim to get as many runs as possible to get closer to that total. Also, Shoaib Bashir to bowl after the break.

Stone again tests the batter's patience with a sharp bouncer on the stumps, Kumara makes room and looks to upper cut it but misses.

An appeal for caught behind but the umpire is unmoved! Short and on a very tight line on the back of a length, on middle and leg, Lahiru Kumara tries to move away from the line and goes for a pull shot. However, the ball is too close to execute that shot and just passes from next to gloves to the keeper. Jamie Smith catches it safely behind the wickets. Pope wants to have a check at it and goes upstairs but UltraEdge confirms that there's no scratch. England burn a review here.

Follows the batter does Stone, On a length angling outside leg, Asitha Fernando walks away from the line and pats it to wide cover and sets off for a quick single. The cover fielder moves to his left, and is quick to pick and throw in one action to the non-striker's end. Has a shy and Asitha Fernando running with his afterburners gets home just about safely to complete the single.

Outside leg, on a length, Lahiru Kumara swings hard at it for a pull but gets it off the higher part of the bat towards the square leg region for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Lahiru Kumara is happy to let it be.

Olly Stone bangs it into the surface around off, Lahiru Kumara fends it a bit uppishly off the back foot but the ball lands just ahead of Ollie Pope stationed at gully. Pope crouches and stops the ball. Oh, wait! The on-field umpires converge and discuss to check it for a fair catch. After examining several angles, it is deemed that the ball landed just before Pope's fingers. NOT OUT appears on the giant screen.

Slower through the air, on the fullish length, on middle, Asitha Fernando charges down to the pitch and lofts it over the inner ring. Ben Duckett from mid-wicket chases down to the deep as the ball loses steam on the dampened outfield. Picks the ball before the ropes and the batters take a couple of runs.

Too full, on the stumps, Asitha Fernando again employs the reverse sweep but inside edges onto the pitch.

Sharp turn from over the pegs, full and on middle, Asitha Fernando sits down to reverse sweep but wears on the pads.

Looped up, outside off, on a good length, Lahiru Kumara cuts it to Brook at backward point. Brook dives to his left and parries the ball to the cover region. Allows a single.

Very slow, on a length, on middle, Lahiru Kumara works it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Bashir tosses it up, gets that in-drift to the pads, Lahiru Kumara looks to clear the fence with a swipe across the line but wears on the pads.

FOUR! Wow, that's a good shot! Olly Stone varies his length and bowls it quite fuller this time, on the stumps, Asitha Fernando skips down the track, creates room for him and slaps it over the bowler's head for a boundary to wide long off.

Good bowling! Length-delivery over the top of middle, Asitha Fernando walks away from the line of the ball and brings his bat horizontally to slash but gets beaten.

250 up for Sri Lanka! That in-between length, on middle, Lahiru Kumara attempts to clobber it away with the pull shot but mistimes it to wide of mid-wicket for a single. They trail by 75 more runs now with just a solitary wicket in hand.

Full, and angling away from the southpaw, Lahiru Kumara stays deep inside the crease and looks to work it through covers but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On middle, on a length, Lahiru Kumara tries to pull it into the stands but gets no real timing at it. Hits it flat and off the toe end to the bowler.

Stone charges in from over the stumps, lands it on a good length, slightly outside off, Lahiru Kumara covers his line, checks the ball and decides to leave it.

Sharp turn, on the stumps, Asitha looks to slog this but inside edges to the thigh pad.

Slips it down leg on a fuller length, it lands right on the rough and turns sharply down leg, Asitha Fernando leaves.

Nicely tossed up on the fuller length outside off, Fernando goes for a drive but misses.

Slower through the air, full and on leg, Asitha Fernando goes for a sweep but misses and gets pinged on the pads.

Over the stumps now with a slip and leg slip in place. Full, turning in on middle and leg, tickled to the square leg region.

Bashir with a slip and a short leg in place, comes from around the pegs. Too slow, looped up outside off and spinning away, Lahiru Kumara slashes it though point for a single.

Time for some spin now as Shoaib Bashir comes into the attack.

Wow! This is some really nice bowling from Stone! Pitches it on the middle and gets a good nip away from the deck, on a length, Asitha Fernando sways away from the line of the ball and tries to slash it with a horizontal bat. Misses the outside edge by a margin.

Asitha Fernando is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Olly Stone too, gets his third wicket and Sri Lanka are 9 down now. Olly Stone follows up the short balls with a tempting good-length delivery outside off, it again springs off a bit and gets heavy on the batter to negotiate. Milan Rathnayake opts for a back foot square cut but swings under it getting a thick outside edge. Jamie Smith does the rest by taking a regulation catch behind the wickets. Sri Lanka staring down the barrel at the moment and trails by 77 runs.

Ohh! An extra bit of bounce again! Not that short from Stone, at off on a fractionally fuller length, which takes off from the surface. Milan Rathnayake is taken by surprise by the bounce and fends it off the gloves in front of the slips.

There's that sharp bouncer again! Stone cramps Rathnayake with a well-directed bumper on the middle and leg, Milan Rathnayake has no time to react and wears it on the body as he tries to get away from the line.

Swing and a miss! Length-delivery outside off, Milan Rathnayake looks to loft it over the inner ring but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Stone continues, and pitches it on a fullish length, at off, Milan Rathnayake pats his front foot in the line but gets it off the inner half of the willow towards short mid-wicket.

Spears in a full toss on the middle, Lahiru Kumara firmly pushes it to mid on.

Nice and full, curving away after landing, Lahiru Kumara sees closely and lets it go.

Hull goes way too full in search of that swing. Gets a good seam movement away from the batter, outside off, Lahiru Kumara brings his bat to poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Sticks to the short ball plan does Josh Hull. Outside off, Milan Rathnayake mistimes his cut towards deep point for a single.

FOUR BYES! That takes off from the surface prodigiously, on the middle, Milan Rathnayake tries the ramp shot but it is still too high to execute that shot. The ball flies over the leaping Jamie Smith behind the wickets and bullets down to the fence behind him.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Milan Rathnayake punches it off the back foot to the short cover region.

Aims the off peg, on a length, Lahiru Kumara prods ahead and defends it to the short cover. A maiden over to start with for Ollie Stone.

Bowls it closer to the body, on the middle and on a good length, Lahiru Kumara gets behind the line and bunts it to the pitch.

Banged in short outside off, Kumara drops his wrists and lets it go behind.

Edged but just short of the fourth slip! A bit of an extra bounce on a length, over the top of off, Lahiru Kumara fends it off the outer half of the bat, and the ball lands just ahead of Ollie Pope at the fourth slip who collects it on a bounce.

Good length on middle, Kumara defends it straight back to Stone.

Length delivery on the stumps, Kumara hangs back and blocks it to mid on.

Fresh from dropping that chance, Olly Stone gets a shot at redemption as he replaces Chris Woakes.

FOUR! Salt on the wounds! Hull bowls it a bit short outside off, Rathnayake gets on top of the bounce and guides it nicely through the vacant point region for a boundary.

DROPPED! Olly Stone, what have you done? Josh Hull slips in a low full toss on the stumps, Lahiru Kumara does not really get his bat underneath it properly and goes through the aerial flick. The ball flies off the bottom end of the bat towards the deep fine region where Olly Stone runs in a few yards from deep fine, gets in a bit of an indecision as he first tries to pouch it with a regulation under cup, but then tries to grab it with a reverse cup and shells it in the end. They cross.

That in-between length, angling on the pads, Lahiru Kumara is a bit late as he tries to tuck it away to the leg side but gets pinged on the thigh pad.

That questioning length now! Swings it away, but this time, the length is fuller and closer to the off peg, but still outside off, Lahiru Kumara goes for a front foot defence but plays inside the line of the ball, and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Slight away movement, outside off on a good length, Lahiru Kumara does not poke at it and leaves.

A steep bumper at the pegs, Lahiru Kumara ducks underneath it.

Excellent stop that by Pope at gully! Length outside off, at a gentle pace, Rathnayake cuts it very late. It almost comes off the outside edge and Pope at gully stops it with a dive.

This time Woakes swings it into the batter. On the back of a length, and shaping in, on middle, Milan Rathnayake is cramped up for room and gets pinged on the gloves.

Gets that lateral movement does Chris Woakes this time! Length ball that leaves the left hander after pitching, outside off, Milan Rathnayake lets it pass.

Drags his length and hits the hard length on the stumps, Rathnayake defends it off the backfoot to the left of the bowler.

Full and well outside off, Rathnayake shoulders his arms to this one.

Full and shaping away outside off, Rathnayake leaves it alone to the keeper.

Good length on off stump, with a bit of an extra bounce. Lahiru Kumara fends from his crease, and gets a thick inside edge that runs down to backward square leg.

Holds onto his line, around off with a gentle outswing, Lahiru Kumara gets behind the line and taps it to the off side.

Lahiru Kumara comes out to the middle now. Sri Lanka still trails by 87 runs with only two wickets in hand.

OUT! LBW! Josh Hull gets his third wicket! However, Vishwa Fernando has decided to challenge the on-field decision and goes upstairs to review it. Looks pretty straight and plumb though. Josh Hull bowls it on the good length and lets the ball curve into the batter, starts from the middle and off channel, and moves into the leg stump line, Vishwa Fernando pats his front foot and looks to defend it but plays over the line of the ball as he doesn't expect the ball to tail in that much, and gets rapped straight on the pad. UltraEdge shows no murmur and the Ball Tracker confirms three reds.

Holds his line, but varies his length, on that in-between length, Vishwa Fernando tucks it to the square leg region.

Short-pitched delivery angling on the middle and leg, Vishwa Fernando rides on the bounce and drops it near the strip with soft hands.

Hull bowls it very full, on a tight line, at the middle and gets a good away swing, Milan Rathnayake negotiates it well and jabs it to wide of mid on for a single.

Nasty bumper that! On the bodyline, but Vishwa Fernando just about manages to fend it away.

FOUR BYES! Pitched up, full but sliding down the leg stump line. It wildly swings further down leg after pitching and Jamie Smith has no chance to collect it behind the pegs. Runs away to the deep fine fence.

Peach! Woakes brings the angle a bit more closer and gets the ball to leave the right hander from around off, Vishwa Fernando is square up and gets beaten all ends up.

Genuine movement, outside off and curving away from the good length, Vishwa Fernando lets it be.

An away swinger outside off, Fernando leaves it alone to the keeper.

Vishwa Fernando is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN AT FIRST SLIP! An absolute seed from Woakes to dismiss the well-settled Kamindu Mendis! Chris Woakes stays over the stumps and pitches it fractionally on the good length, around off, and also gets a considerable movement. The ball curves away from the southpaw as Kamindu Mendis opens up his body and hangs his bat away from him. Gets a thick outside edge that carries straight towards Joe Root, one of the safest fielders at slips. Root gobbles it up nicely. Sri Lanka have now lost both of their well-settled batters in the first hour of Day 3. They trail by 92 runs now.

Good length outside off, shaping away, this is worked to the right of cover for one by Kamindu Mendis.

Back of a length and around off, Kamindu Mendis defends and gets an inside edge on his back leg.

Pitched up again outside off, Mendis drives it crisply but finds Pope at the covers.

EDGED AND FOUR! Some away movement around off, pitching up, Kamindu Mendis gets lured on the width and goes for a cover drive off the front foot. Ends up getting a thick outside edge that flies past the vacant gully region for a boundary.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, dear! Hull bangs in a bumper angling into the body of Mendis. It flies over the batter's head and over Smith behind the pegs who has no chance of collecting that one. It races away to the deep fine leg fence.

Just short of leg slip! The fielder there is strategically stationed! Hull bowls the length ball and angles it on the pads, Kamindu Mendis hops on the back foot and looks to glance it to the leg side but due to a bit of an extra bounce, the ball lobs off from his bat's inner half and falls just ahead of leg slip.

Back of a length and on off, Mendis stands tall and defends it to the leg side.

We are back! The players are already out in the middle. Kamindu Mendis and Milan Rathnayake will resume the innings for Sri Lanka. Josh Hull to start proceedings with the ball. Let's play...

UPDATE - 10.34 am GMT - It looks like the rain has subsided for now and the covers are coming off. We also have a resumption time, which is 10.50 am GMT. Also, let us take a look at the revised session timings. Lunch will be taken at 12.45 pm GMT. The second session will be from 1.25 pm GMT to 3.40 pm GMT. The final session will run from 4 pm GMT to 6 pm GMT. However, of course, all this depends on how the weather plays out throughout the day.

UPDATE - 10.22 am GMT - Uh, oh! The rain gods are at it, again! The sun was threatening to come out of the cloud cover at the start of the day's play, but, as unpredictable as the weather is in the UK, it has started raining, a bit heavily. The players are sprinting to the dressing rooms. The pitch has been covered with a green mat and then the white sheets are being brought in as well to cover the deck and the squares.

Another great outswinger! Over pitched and around off, shaping away a long way again, Milan Rathnayake tries to play at it but misses, the ball zips past the outside edge again.

On a length and on middle, Milan Rathnayake stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

BEAUTY! Chris Woakes serves this full again and just on off, swings away sharply, Milan Rathnayake goes fishing at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Full again and on middle and off, Kamindu Mendis knocks it away towards mid off for a run.

Pitches it up, on off, Kamindu Mendis blocks it down the pitch.

Short of a length and on leg, Milan Rathnayake gets cramped up trying to work it away and misses, it goes off his thigh pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.

Back of a length and around off, Milan Rathnayake punches it through covers for a single.

Milan Rathnayake is in at number 8 for Sri Lanka. They trail by 105 runs. Also, an update about Gus Atkinson. He hasn't taken the field this morning as he is being assessed by the medical team due to a tight quad. Jordan Cox is on the field for now as the substitute.

OUT! TAKEN! Redemption for Josh Hull! He dropped DDS on Day 2, but now sends him back to the hut. This is actually a well-directed bouncer from the youngster, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva goes for the hook shot, but fails to transfer the weight fully on the back foot and the ball gets big on him as well. As a result, he gets a top edge that flies towards fine leg, Shoaib Bashir stationed there as the trap, settles under it nicely and takes a good catch. The Sri Lankan skipper goes back after a well-made 69! Sri Lanka are 220/6.

Good carry! Fuller and on off, angles away, Dhananjaya de Silva lets it go as Jamie Smith takes it near his chest height.

Goes fuller, on middle, shapes away, Kamindu Mendis once again gets a bit squared up as the ball goes off the outside edge towards deep point. They cross.

On a length and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva guides it away towards third man for a single.

FOUR! Deft touch! Josh Hull lands this on a good length and just around off, Dhananjaya de Silva expects the ball to swing in, but this one angles away, DDS hangs his bat away and steers it just wide of third slip for a boundary.

Maiden over! Pitched up, on middle, shaping in, Kamindu Mendis defends it on the front foot.

Much fuller and much wider outside off, Kamindu Mendis makes an easy leave.

Hits the good length, on middle, shapes in a touch, Kamindu Mendis misses his flick and gets hit on his thigh pads.

Short of a length and into the body of the batter, Kamindu Mendis pats it down to the leg side.

Back of a length and outside off, Kamindu Mendis offers no shot at it.

Chris Woakes begins with a hard-length delivery around off, angles away, Kamindu Mendis leaves it alone.

Chris Woakes (9-2-41-1) to operate from the Vauxhall End.

BEATEN! Back of a length and just outside off, goes away with the angle, Dhananjaya de Silva decides to have a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Decent start from the debutant!

Some movement now! Fuller in length and around off, shaping away, Kamindu Mendis tries to play at it but gets squared up, the ball goes off the outside edge through point for a single.

Good bowling! Josh Hull hits the length hard this time, on the fifth stump line, nips back in sharply with bounce, Kamindu Mendis takes his bat away and leaves it alone.

Pitched up in search of swing, but this one angles into the pads, Kamindu Mendis knocks it past mid on for a couple of runs.

Good length now, on off, Kamindu Mendis stays back, keeps his head over the ball and blocks it out.

Josh Hull starts with a very full delivery, on middle, shaping away a bit, Kamindu Mendis stays deep in his crease and digs it out towards short mid-wicket.

Well then, all set for Day 3 to commence at The Oval! We are starting on time, thankfully. Also, the overhead conditions are not that threatening as of now. The sun is peeking through the clouds. The umpires walk out to the middle followed by the players of England. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva to resume their innings for Sri Lanka. Josh Hull will begin the proceedings with the ball with three slips in place. Let's play...

We are two days into this third and final Test and still, we haven't been able to see a full day's play. A total of 114.1 overs have been bowled with both innings combined so far, and we have already lost plenty of overs due to bad light stoppages. And the weather forecast for Day 3, ugh, well, it doesn't look THAT promising to be very honest. The London skies are predicted to stay under the siege of a thick cloud cover which might bring showers later in the day. But, let's hope that we start on time, at least.

UPDATE - As many of you may have heard, or if not, the big breaking news this morning is that 37-year-old Moeen Ali, one of England’s finest all-rounders, has announced his retirement from international cricket.

England will be slightly disappointed with their batting collapse on Day 2. Skipper Ollie Pope's 154 and Ben Duckett's brisk 86 were the standout performances. While the bowlers struggled initially, sharp fielding from Olly Stone and poor running from Sri Lanka gave them their first breakthrough. The debutant, Josh Hull had a mixed day, claiming the set Pathum Nissanka’s wicket but dropping a sitter that gave Dhananjaya de Silva a second chance. England did manage to take three quick wickets before Tea, but with only spinners allowed in the final session, Sri Lanka fought back. With a lead still over 100, England will be aiming to make early inroads and wrap things up quickly. Stay tuned as action on Day 3 begins shortly.

Once again, Sri Lanka's top order struggled, with the exception of Pathum Nissanka, who took inspiration from England's approach and played with freedom. He smashed a brisk half-century but eventually fell to his own aggressive instincts. The visitors found themselves in trouble at 93/5, but worsening overhead conditions came to their rescue. The umpires ruled that the light wasn't safe for the fast bowlers to continue. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, along with the impressive Kamindu Mendis, began to build a partnership. Though they started cautiously, once settled, they took the attack to the spinners and began chipping away at the lead. Both reached their fifties and remained unbeaten 64 and 54 respectively when bad light forced an early close to Day 2.

Sri Lanka responded brilliantly on Day 2 after a rather disappointing start on the first day. The bowlers came out with renewed energy and executed their plans with much greater precision. They managed to bowl out the hosts in the first session itself. It was a commendable effort to restrict England to under 350, especially when at one stage, it looked like they might be conceding a total well over 400.

Hello and welcome, everyone! We're entering Day 3 of this third Test between England and Sri Lanka, though we’ve yet to witness a full day's play, largely due to bad light. Day 3 is often referred to as the 'Moving Day,' and whichever team can adapt better could gain a crucial advantage in this match. While the weather has slightly improved or as we hope so, it’s still pretty overcast, and to make up for the lost time over the first two days, a total of 98 overs are scheduled for today. Play is set to continue until 5.30 PM GMT, with an extra half hour if needed. However, much of this will depend on whether the weather and light hold up.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

Right then, that is it from Day 2. Sri Lanka, in what could have been a dire situation have turned it into a competitive one with a solid counterpunch. But the challenging part for them is to negotiate the early hour of play coming into Day 3. With the pitch's further wear and tear, the 'Moving Day' will be very crucial from both teams' perspectives. England's aim would be to take advantage of an early morning swing and snag early wickets and prevent the opposition from taking the lead. With that said, the first ball of Day 3 will be bowled on Sunday, 8th September at 10 am GMT. Till then, cheers!

So, who takes the honors for day two? It's a close call, but Sri Lanka might have a slight edge - not in the match wholly though as they still trail by 114 runs. England certainly had their moments, bowling well and taking five quick wickets at one point. However, the islanders managed to bundle out the hosts in the morning session and then showed impressive resilience to see out the day with the bat.

They had a bit of help from the pitch too, with the rough patches at both ends giving them something to aim at. Bashir nearly struck gold by playing a bit of cat and mouse with de Silva. He kept probing away, testing DDS's patience. Just when Bashir thought he'd struck, Hull went and put down a sitter. As overs progressed, the two Sri Lankans got more accommodated to the conditions and were cruising together nicely. Both effectively notched up their respective fifties and also constructed a solid 118-run partnership before bad light stopped play. England might be thinking that they could have exploited the conditions better given the wear and tear of the pitch.

In dire need of runs with half of the side in the dressing room, the skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and the southpaw Kamindu Mendis formed a resilient partnership for the 6th wicket. By the time the umpires called for Tea, de Silva and Mendis had not only steadied the innings but given their side a glimmer of hope. Cut to the final session,  the light had gone a bit dodgy - not exactly ideal for the quicks to be steaming in. So, England had to switch things up and give spin a whirl for the first time. Bashir and Lawrence were given the nod and started in tandem. Root too, joined them and rolled his arm sooner.

The second session began with the Sri Lankan openers negotiating the English pace attack. They were motoring along well but a miscommunication in the middle saw Karunaratne cost dearly. But despite an early couple of blows, Sri Lanka played with freedom for the first hour or so, likewise their counterparts. Nissanka was the star of the show for the islanders, scoring at a rate that would've made T20 batters proud. The only problem was, he kept running out of partners. In the end, his own aggression proved his undoing. Once Nissanka fell, it was like someone had pulled the plug. The English pacers suddenly found their mojo, hitting those perfect troubling lengths.

Credit where it's due, The Sri Lankan attack, sharper than yesterday, had to grind for that first breakthrough. Cricket being cricket, there were a few near misses, some umpire's calls, and even a dropped catch to keep things interesting. But once Brook fell, the floodgates opened. England's batting order crumbled like a house of cards - six wickets tumbled for a paltry 35 runs in just about 10 overs. The Sri Lankan pacers did an excellent job and probed the opposition batters on tight lines and lengths constantly. Apart from Pope, who also mounted the quickest 150 at The Oval, the rest of the lineup looked rusty and uncomfortable.

Well, since we won't have any further play, let's recap what happened on Day 2. It kicked off under the same moody skies over London. The Sri Lankan bowlers decided to mix things up, pitching it up a bit more to get the ball swinging - a change from yesterday's good length fest. The ball was dancing around, kissing edges and giving the English batters a proper workout initially. Pope and Brook weren't about to roll over, though. They tried to knock the Sri Lankan bowlers off their rhythm and negate the movement. Brook, bless him, looked a bit rusty and impatient, all eager to get going but not quite finding his groove and perished sooner.

UPDATE - 5.05 pm GMT - Well, folks! This was bound to happen. With lights clearly not expected to get any better coupled with dark skies, Stumps have been officially called on Day 2.

UPDATE - 4.57 pm GMT - Well, nothing new to update here, and things are not looking promising for us to get underway again. So, while we wait, let's catch up on a couple of results from elsewhere. Australia have completed the clean sweep over Scotland in the three-match T20I series. It was yet another comfortable win for the Aussies with Cameron Green putting on a brilliant all-round show. He blasted 62 off just 39 balls and also picked up a three-wicket haul as well. In the Duleep Trophy, India C defeated India D in a pretty exciting first-class game. Manav Suthar was the star of the show with a fantastic seven-wicket haul in the second innings that paved the way for India C's victory.

Uh, oh! The two umpires come together to have a chat. The light meter comes out again and this time, the umpires think that the artificial light has taken over the natural light. The conditions have gotten really dark overhead, meaning it is not safe to continue. The players are requested to walk off the field and The Oval echoes with the boos from the spectators. The umpires though are still on the ground and have a detailed discussion with the reserve umpire. But for now, the play has been halted due to BAD LIGHT. Also, the news from the middle is that if play cannot be resumed by 5.30 pm GMT, it will officially be Stumps on Day 2.

Slower through the air, shortish and on off, turns away, Kamindu Mendis opens the bat face and steers it towards short third for a single.

Attacks the stumps, quicker and full as well, Kamindu Mendis prods forward and fends it away.

Floated, full and around off, turns away, Kamindu Mendis lets it go.

Flatter, full and on leg, Kamindu Mendis clips it away wide of deep square leg for a brace.

Fires in a yorker, on middle, Kamindu Mendis digs it out on the pitch.

Shorter in length and on off, Kamindu Mendis stays back and blocks it out.

Ollie Pope is having a chat with the vice-captain, Harry Brook. However, we are still going to continue.

FOUR! DDS takes the aerial route and gets the reward! Joe Root offers too much flight on it and serves a juicy half volley on the middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva waits for the ball to arrive and swings across the line to access the vacant deep square leg region, hits it uppishly over the square leg region and gets a boundary.

Short and outside leg, Dhananjaya de Silva goes deep in the crease. The ball flies off the thigh pad away from leg slip.

Pitches a long way outside leg does Root, turns away sharply. DDS leaves and a good take from Smith down the leg side

On the pads again, full in length, Dhananjaya de Silva offers no shot as he strides out and lets the ball to ping his pads.

An arm ball, pitched up on a fuller length, on the leg stump line, Dhananjaya de Silva alertly blocks it out.

Too slow, on a length, Dhananjaya de Silva goes back and tucks it with soft hands to short fine.

Full on the fourth stump line, this pushed in the off side by Mendis.

Full on the off stump, Kamindu Mendis blocks it back to the bowler.

Full on the off stump, Mendis blocks it forward with a straight bat.

Good length outside the off stump, Kamindu Mendis punches it off the back foot to point.

FOUR! Kamindu Mendis now gets his FIFTY! A well-deserved one! Full on the pads. Kamindu Mendis advances down the track and whips it through the square leg region for a boundary. He has not only shouldered his skipper responsibly but also has effectively contributed his part with the bat and has bailed out Sri Lanka from a precarious condition.

Creating the chances here and there, is Bashir! Length on the off stump. Kamindu Mendis uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball. Gets some part of the pad and lobs up and drops safe in the leg side.

Good length outside the leg stump, Dhananjaya de Silva turns off the back foot to Bashir at fine leg.

200 up for Sri Lanka! Short and outside the off stump. Dhananjaya de Silva slices it off the backfoot through point. Olly Stone gives it a chase to the fence and manages to stop it before the ropes. A couple of runs picked up.

Good length outside the leg stump, DDS plays it off the back foot to short fine leg.

FOUR! Lucky! Joe Root slips it down leg, on a fuller length with a bit of a turn, that regular off-spinner, Dhananjaya de Silva sits down for a premeditated sweep shot, gets some feather of the bat on it and lobs over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Fuller in length, on the leg stump line, DDS clips it with the spin to short fine.

Root starts off from around the wickets, with a wide leg slip and a slip in place. Bowls it full and tosses it up around off, Kamindu Mendis leans ahead and pushes it to the cover-point region and steals a quick single.

Joe Root to bowl some offies now.

Changes the angle this time and hustles from around the pegs, does Bashir. Lands it full and on the leg stump line, Dhananjaya de Silva responds with a watchful prod ahead and defends it.

Sliding down leg, left alone.

Length ball, just around off, Kamindu Mendis uses the depth of the crease and cuts it to backward point for a single. 100-run stand comes up between these two! They have weathered the storm quite a bit and are looking much more accommodated to the conditions now. Sri Lanka now trail by 132 runs.

Bashir flattens the trajectory this time, bowls it much quicker on a length, around off, Kamindu Mendis eases it off the back foot to the off side.

Full, on off, eased back to the bowler.

Sliding on the pads, on a length, Kamindu Mendis watches it closely and clips it towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. The fielder from deep mid-wicket intercepts it and keeps it to a couple of runs.

Slow, tossed up, on leg, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and eases it to the leg side, just near the strip.

Pushed through, full on the middle stump, Dhananjaya de Silva defends on the front foot.

FOUR! Nice shot! Too full around off, Dhananjaya de Silva plants his front foot ahead and opens the bat face to guide the ball through the backward point region for a boundary. Though it went a bit more squarer and more off the outer half of the bat, he will take it.

Slower through the air, on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva clips it to the right of short square leg.

Full, tossed up, on the off stump, driven to mid off.

Too slow, around off, full, Kamindu Mendis gets lured in the flight and skips down to take him on with a lofted shot over the inner ring. Loses his shape and slices it up in the air towards sweeper covers. The ball lands safely and they take a single.

Pitched on the middle, on a length, and turning into the leg stump line, Dhananjaya de Silva stays on the back foot and taps it to the right of short square leg.

A tad short on the off stump, DDS defends off the backfoot.

A slider this time from Bashir, on the length at middle, Dhananjaya de Silva quickly goes on the back foot and blocks it off watchfully.

Full on the leg stump, defended to short leg.

Pushed through, looped up around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva gets on the front foot and defends it.

Good length on the pads, Mendis steers it off the back foot in the square leg region for a single.

Well, Ollie Pope has a decision to make here. Sri Lanka are comfortably dealing with the spinners here and chipping away into the lead as well. The light has still not improved for the pacers to come back on, and it will be interesting to see for how long the hosts are happy to continue with the spinners.

Quite full, tossed up around off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans onto the ball and defends it right underneath his eyes.

Flat and on the back of a length, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and blocks it off.

FOUR! Shot! FIFTY for the Sri Lankan skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva! An inning of resilience and grit from him so far. Short on the middle stump. DDS rocks back to create room for himself, and cuts through the point region for a boundary. A long chase for the backward point fielder but the ball wins the race in the end.

Good length on the off stump, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it off the back foot to short leg.

In the air...lands safe...and doesn't make it to the boundary! Dan Lawrence tosses it up, full and on the middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva clears his front leg and lofts it over mid on with no real timing. The ball dribbles towards the long on region but eventually loses its steam and just dies, inches before the ropes. The fielder from mid on chases it down, picks up, turns around and throws it back to the bowler's end. Should have been more, but they take just a couple of runs here.

Way down the leg side, on a length, Dhananjaya de Silva lets it be.

Short and outside off, Menids cuts straight to point.

Good display of fielding by Chris Woakes! Full and outside off from Bashir, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it inside out through extra cover. Woakes does the hard yards and chases it down from mid off to deep covers. He slides and just about manages to pull the ball before the ropes. Saves one for his side.

Length on the off stump, Dhananjaya de Silva defends it with a straight bat.

Drags his length does Bashir, lands it on the good length, at middle and turning in, Dhananjaya de Silva uses the depth of the crease, rocks back and taps it to the leg side with soft hands.

Good length outside off, this is played off the back foot to point for a quick single.

Full on the middle stump, defended on the front foot.

FOUR! Nicely played! Dan Lawrence offers more flight here, full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans on to his drive nicely and creams it away through covers for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva defends it on the front foot.

Short and around off, Kamindu Mendis punches it away through covers for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it past mid off for just a single.

Flatter, short again, on middle, turns in a long way to the leg side, Dhananjaya de Silva leaves it alone.

Goes short and on middle, gets a bit of extra bounce, Dhananjaya de Silva rides it well and keeps it out.

More flight, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis fends it away.

Floated, full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva taps it towards covers for a single.

Drags his length back now, just outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva guides it away towards the third man region for a brace.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva prods forward and blocks it out.

Flatter, short and turning into the leg side, Dhananjaya de Silva leaves it alone.

FOUR! Put away! A loopy low full toss around off, Dhananjaya de Silva drills it away from the middle of his bat through covers, Gus Atkinson in the deep runs to his right and dives, but the ball goes under his hand for a boundary.

Quicker, full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it through covers for a run.

FOUR! Connects well this time! Loopy delivery, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva this time waits for it in his crease, and lifts it away beautifully well over mid on for a boundary. Well, salt to the wounds as Dan Lawrence has overstepped here. No Ball!

An appeal for a catch, but the umpire is unmoved. Full length on the pads, landing right on the rough and further spinning into the batter and going slightly down leg. Dhananjaya de Silva leans on the ball and looks to clip it away with the spin to the leg side but misses. It pings his pad and carries to the leg slip fielder. England decide not to go upstairs on this one. The replays then display that it indeed went off his pad and not the bat's edge or the gloves.

Around the wicket comes Lawrence. Drags his length, shade outside off, Kamindu Mendis uses the depth of the crease and cuts it past point for a single.

Tossed up, full and turning into the leg stump from middle, Dhananjaya de Silva with a firm push towards wide mid on gets a single.

Short and on middle, Kamindu Mendis nudges it through square leg for one.

Quicker, full and on off, Kamindu Mendis steers it towards point.

Another short one, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva keeps it out to the pitch.

DROPPED! Oh..no! Josh Hull, what have you done? The nerves have got to him as he drops a sitter here. Shoaib Bashir gives this one some more flight, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva advances down the track to loft it away, but fails to get underneath the ball, hits it flat, and aerially straight towards mid on, Josh Hull tries to reverse cup it but ends up making a mess out of it as it hits his chest and goes down. DDS gave up as soon as he hit that, threw his bat in the air, but gets a second chance here.

Short and flat, on leg, Dhananjaya de Silva leaves it alone.

Flatter, full and on the pads this time, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it past short leg.

Floater, full and on middle, turns in, Dhananjaya de Silva defends it on the front foot.

Quicker one, full and on off, Kamindu Mendis taps it out wide of covers for a single.

Shorter in length but down the leg side, Dhananjaya de Silva makes an easy leave.

Fires one in, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva fends it down the pitch.

Goes short now, outside off, Kamindu Mendis cuts it away towards backward point, Shoaib Bashir fumbles and allows the single.

Good stop! Flighed, full and on off again, Kamindu Mendis uses his feet and drives it away firmly wide of short covers, Ollie Pope dives to his right and saves a certain boundary there.

Bit of turn! Floated, full and around off, spins away a bit, Kamindu Mendis prods out and leaves it alone.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis strides out and blocks it out.

Darts this one full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva defends it on the front foot.

Pushed through quicker again, on middle, skids through, Dhananjaya de Silva stays back in his crease and blocks it out.

Quicker one short and down the leg side, Dhananjaya de Silva leaves it alone.

Short again, on leg, Dhananjaya de Silva clips it away towards square leg.

Shortens his length, on middle and leg, this one holds up on the surface, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Floats it up, full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva strides out and guides it away wide of deep point for a brace.

Tossed up, full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it through covers for a run.

Flatter trajectory, short and angles into leg, a leg slip is in place, and Dhananjaya de Silva is aware of that, so he just lets the ball hit his pads.

Flighted, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva clips it a bit uppishly but safely towards mid on.

Loses his line bit and darts one down the leg side, Dhananjaya de Silva lets it go.

Floated, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it away towards short leg.

Dan Lawrence begins with a short delivery, outside off, Kamindu Mendis cuts it away towards deep point for a single.

Spin from both ends now. Dan Lawrence is summoned into the attack with a slip and a leg slip in place.