England, led by left-arm spinner Jack Leach's three early wickets Saturday, looked likely to win its first test series in Sri Lanka in 17 years.
The visitors set Sri Lanka a target of 301 runs in the second test at Pallekele. Sri Lanka was 93 for three at lunch on the fourth day, still requiring 208 runs.
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England, led by left-arm spinner Jack Leach's three early wickets Saturday, looked likely to win its first test series in Sri Lanka in 17 years.
Karunaratne was solid though reaching his half-century with a paddle sweep off Adil Rashid. The opening batsman scored a half-century in the first innings as well before being run out.
England lead the three match series 1-0.
England's James Anderson unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
England's James Anderson plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella watches during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
Leach shared the new ball with James Anderson. A 67-run stand followed Leach's wickets between Dimuth Karunaratne (54) and Angelo Mathews (28).
Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne, right, and Angelo Mathews run between wickets during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
Karunaratne was solid though reaching his half-century with a paddle sweep off Adil Rashid. The opening batsman scored a half-century in the first innings as well before being run out.
He was given out leg before wicket to Rashid three balls before lunch. But the batsman reviewed and the decision was overturned.
Leach took his wickets in successive overs. The first to fall was Kaushal Silva (4) in the fourth over of the innings when he was stumped by Ben Foakes. In the next over Dhananjaya De Silva was spectacularly caught by Keaton Jennings at forward short leg as he completed a one-handed catch.
England's Jack Leach celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
England lead the three match series 1-0.
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England's Ben Foakes plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella watches during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
England's James Anderson unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
England's James Anderson plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella watches during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)