Leach sucks life out of the Lankan chase

Kandy, November 17 

England's left-arm spinner Jack Leach led a strong spin bowling display that put the tourists within three wickets of a series-clinching victory against Sri Lanka on an intriguing fourth day of the second Test here today. Chasing 301 to win on a turning Pallekele track, Sri Lanka were 226/7 when rain interrupted play for the second consecutive day with the hosts still needing 75 to square the three-Test series at 1-1.  Combative half-centuries from former captain Angelo Mathews and opener Dimuth Karunaratne had set up Sri Lanka nicely in their chase after Leach's brilliant spell with the new ball had reduced them to 26/3. But off-spinner Moeen Ali and Leach, who has already taken a career-best 4/73 in an innings, brought England right back in the game by dismissing Mathews for 88 and Dilruwan Perera for two, respectively, in quick succession after the tea break. Sri Lanka's hopes on the final day will rest on wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who was unbeaten on 27 at the close of play. 

Leach had given England the ideal start when he lured Kaushal Silva out of his crease with a flighted delivery to be stumped for four.

Dhananjaya de Silva was out to a smart catch by Keaton Jennings at short leg for one while Kusal Mendis was also trapped lbw for the same score. — Reuters

Brief scores: England 290 and 346 (Root 123, Foakes 65*, Burns 59; Dananjaya 6/115); Sri Lanka 336 and 226/7 (A Mathews 88; Leach 4/23)