England vs Sri Lanka: Joe Root seals tense win at Old Trafford

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England vs Sri Lanka: Joe Root seals tense win at Old Trafford

A target of 205 was never likely to be a gimme for England, at a venue that has recently been the hardest in this country to chase runs, on a pitch occasionally playing tricks, and against a skilful and willing *******.

Duckett survived a superb leg-side catch by stand-in wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who dragged the ball along the ground in his *****, only to edge Asitha Fernando to the same man. Pope, characteristically skittish, toe-ended a reverse-sweep off Jayasuriya and Lawrence, on 34, played across Milan Rathnayake to be lbw.

Brook joined Root with England under pressure and Sri Lanka buoyant. The key moment was when Brook’s sweep off Jayasuriya bounced out of the right hand of diving sub Ramesh at square leg. It would have been a breathtaking catch.

Both men were patient with solid defence, and both survived Sri Lanka reviews. Runs were devilishly difficult to come by, yet England looked to have control until Brook stubbed a return catch to Jayasuriya.

Root remained, nudging and pushing, running hard. He did not find the boundary until the 95th delivery he faced. The former skipper was joined by Smith, at the opposite of end his career but equally unflappable.

Any question of a fifth day was ended when Smith swatted Jayasuriya for six. Shadows lengthened, Smith was bowled by an Asitha yorker, but Root was not to be denied.

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