England fail to punish Sri Lanka

DURHAM, May 27

England's batsmen failed to take full advantage on a first day of swinging fortunes in the second Test against Sri Lanka, finishing on 310/6 after outstanding catching kept the touring side in contention on Friday.

A late cameo from Jonny Bairstow, who oozed confidence after his first-Test 140, steadied an innings that had been in danger of falling away but he departed for 48 just before the close as Sri Lanka fought back on a slow pitch in Durham.

Both England openers missed landmarks in chilly conditions at Chester-le-Street where England have won all five of their previous Tests. Alastair Cook chose to bat after winning the toss in the hope of scoring the 20 runs he needed to become the youngest player — and the first Englishman — to reach 10,000 runs.

But the opener only reached 15 before jabbing at a wide delivery from Suranga Lakmal and he was well caught by a diving Dimuth Karunaratne in the slips. Cook's opening partner Alex Hales also had a personal milestone in mind and came close to a maiden Test century. Hales  played fluently with a judicious mix of attack and defence before falling on 83. With under-pressure Nick Compton again departing cheaply for nine Joe Root needed to provide the innings with renewed momentum. The Yorkshireman chalked up an effortless fifty from 70 balls and looked on course for a century but was surprised on 80 by a quicker ball from Nuwan Pradeep that got up off a length. — Reuters

Brief scores: Eng: 310/6 (Hales 83, Root 80) vs SL.