http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 vs England – 1st Test – Match Update- Sri Lankan reach 151 for 8
Sri Lanka added a precious 67 to end the first session of Day 3 on 151 for 8, gaining a healthy overall lead of 276 over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 at the Galle International Stadium, March 28, 2012.
The morning was resumed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964, began with his front line pacers but quickly realized the need to make full use of his spinners on a track, which started to show some wear and tear.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 at mid-off.
His departure saw Swann than making easy work of Randiv and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559. The former, after a sluggishly paced 18 was caught lbw, while the latter’s short 7-run contribution ended, following his failure to connect to an audacious slog, with the ball crashing into the stumps. The off-break bowler reached to his 12th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, proving that he still remains a class act.
At 127 for 8, the tourists were looking at a prospect of batting before the lunch interval but their hopes were dashed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735 weathered the threat of the spinners with limited difficulty – adding a crucial unbeaten 23 before the umpires made the call for lunch.
The equation remains a daunting one for the Poms considering their poor batting form. With a lead already approaching 300, the visitors are faced with a scenario of chasing down a record target at this venue in order to win their first Test since the turn of the year.
The only encouragement on offer is the nature of the track, which still remains good for batting. They will be hoping to wrap up the tail as quickly as possible and ensure that their openers provide them with a solid start.
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