Sri Lanka v England: first Test, day two – live!

Over-by-over report on the opening Test in GalleFoakes makes 107 on debut as England reach 342Day one report: Foakes rescue act spares EnglandFeel free to email Tom or to tweet: @TomBry

9.32am GMT

Joe Denly is on for Burns, with Keaton Jennings wedged into short leg as Moeen continues the over that was interrupted by that injury before tea. And he catches Mathews first ball after the restart!

9.24am GMT

The word is that Burns is OK and is getting some ice in the changing rooms but may not field after tea.

9.18am GMT

Here’s a big call from Adam Giles: “With the overwhelming successes of recent introductions to the team, such as Mssrs. Curran and Foakes, is it just me or is this England team starting to feel like one that could keep going for a fair amount of time, much like the Australia team of the 90s and early noughties, when the likes of Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Warne and McGrath grew into quite the formidable force. Perhaps too early to set such lofty ambitions, but when the likes of Broad and Anderson are entering the twilight of their careers, as well as the recently departed Chef, perhaps a formal changing of the guard is impending.”

Feels a bit early to compare the side to that Australia side if I’m honest, and the top order still looks like a shambles. But from five down, England seems to have plenty of potential and options.

9.10am GMT

The umpires take the players off for tea while Burns continues to be treated on the pitch. He’s sitting up now, with the physios manipulating his head and neck. Hard to tell from here, but the fact he’s sitting up and looks alert and conscious feels like a good sign. Think the physios are just going through their checks thoroughly rather than being too alarmed. Ah, and he stands up and walks from the field unaided, which is an even better sign.

9.08am GMT

There is a pause in play after Dickwella sweeps Moeen hard, and the ball cannons off Rory Burns at short leg. That hit him hard, on the full, on the back of his neck/top of his back. He goes down and the England physios are on very quickly. That’s nasty but he’s conscious and talking but there is plenty of concern on the pitch.

9.04am GMT

49th over: Sri Lanka 135-5 (Dickwella 10, Mathews 52) Stokes come on, which is a good call I think. But the field is set up for length bowling, rather than some short stuff, which is less of a good call I think. Dickwella glides him to third man for a single, before Mathews pulls him for four because Stokes does drop short and there’s no man at deep square. Not great cricket, that. The field is tweaked, and though Stokes gets tighter, he allows Mathews to drive him punchily through the covers to reach his 50 - his 30th in Test cricket.

8.59am GMT

48th over: Sri Lanka 126-5 (Dickwella 9, Mathews 44) Moeen begins to find a little turn, whipping one into Mathews’ pads from out of a foothole. Could be a sign of what’s to come on days three and four. A maiden.

Throwing this one out to the hive mind:

@TomBry I don't follow Test cricket that closely so for all I know the answer is "summer 2018", but when did England last take the first five wickets of an innings with five different bowlers?

8.56am GMT

47th over: Sri Lanka 126-5 (Dickwella 9, Mathews 44) Anderson ploughs on and a clam Mathews guides him to third man for a single as he continues to make something of a point to a board that was keen on dropping him.

8.52am GMT

46th over: Sri Lanka 125-5 (Dickwella 9, Mathews 43) Moeen comes on and comes around the wicket in an attempt to turn the ball away from the left-handed Dickwella. He drifts one across the batsman, hitting on the full on the pads, but the ball was heading down the leg side. Another delivery is almost at yorker length as he attempts to force Dickwella to drive. As so often with a Moeen over, it is tight right up until the point he is slog swept for four.

“In the last two years seven Surrey players have made an England debut (Ansari, Stoneman, CurranT, SCurran, Pope, Foakes and Burns),”emails Dominic Cole. “There are also another four Test players on the books in Clarke, Plunkett, Batty and Borthwick. But here’s the truly baffling bit - they’ve won 40 odd caps between them and seven of them have two caps or less.That simply has to be a record. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise either if Roy and Virdi (with the A squad this winter) also soon made an appearance. That leaves Dernbach as the odd one out and he once made the Test squad and was 12th man. Don’t think evenYorkshire can match that.”

8.49am GMT

45th over: Sri Lanka 121-5 (Dickwella 5, Mathews 43) Anderson does continue and Dickwella sticks with his attacking instincts, keeping things ticking over at a run a ball so far. Stokes is still virtually hand in hand with Foakes behind the stumps, so concerned is he that the ball won’t carry. There’s not been much suggestion of a nick so far.

8.44am GMT

44th over: Sri Lanka 118-5 (Dickwella 2, Mathews 43) That was a lovely delivery from Rashid, drawing Chandimal down the track then some dip and decent turn sent the ball past the edge of his bat, into Foakes’s gloves, allowing the keeper to stump him very cleanly. It brings the left-handed keeper into bat which could have Root thinking about changing Anderson at the other end. Dickwella is off the mark with a swept single before Mathews clobbers a single to deep cover to add to his earlier run and the new man milks another.

8.40am GMT

A stunning piece of bowling and some lovely work behind the stumps as Rashid draws Chandimal down the track then sends the ball past him. Brilliant all round from England.

8.38am GMT

43rd over: Sri Lanka 114-4 (Mathews 41, Chandimal 33) Seems Anderson was warned, giving him one more life before he would be removed the attack for the rest of the innings. In this heat, he might be tempted. He’s bowling full to Matthews and Chandimal, not throwing in any cutters as yet but the batsmen work him away for a single each.

8.34am GMT

42nd over: Sri Lanka 112-4 (Mathews 40, Chandimal 32) Rashid’s sticking to his leg spin, avoiding the temptation to drop in too many variations. He’s bowling slowly, looking for turn (and finding it). That’s a very decent maiden.

8.31am GMT

41st over: Sri Lanka 112-4 (Mathews 40, Chandimal 32) Anderson, in a paddy with the umpire, steams in with a short mid-off, gully and one slip in place. It’s Stokes at slip, and he’s stood almost level with Foakes in a bid to make sure the ball carries. Matthews cuts a single from the over. After it, Chris Gaffeney has a word with Root about Anderson, who is fuming about being talked to about running on the wicket.

“Perusing Ben Foakes’ career stats, I see he has actually bowled in a first class match,” emails Kimberley Thonger (well, he’s bowled an over). “I wonder, given the rich vein of form he’s in and with his confidence obviously sky high, whether Root realises this? Can someone get a message to Joe to give the gloves to Buttler for a few overs and bring Ben on to bowl?”

8.26am GMT

40th over: Sri Lanka 111-4 (Mathews 39, Chandimal 32) Actually, Anderson was much less than impressed by that talking to, and hurled the ball to the ground a few deliveries later. Hmm. Rashid continues at the other end and the batsmen run a single and a leg bye from a very solid over.

8.23am GMT

39th over: Sri Lanka 109-4 (Mathews 39, Chandimal 31) Joe Root has been listening to Rob, and he throws the ball to Jimmy Anderson to throw in some pace and guile. He bowls full, and Matthews opens his shoulders and drives for two before Anderson gets a talking to for running on the pitch. Not sure it was a full blown warning, but he didn’t look delighted about it.

“There was much discussion about Root being a so-so captain, and Eoin Morgan being brilliant,” emails Zaph Mann. “Could you see a side captained by Eoin Morgan being very different? Who would he displace on merit? Would it be the dynamic of the selectors that gets in the way/puts up a good check?” Ignoring Morgan’s red ball issues, suspect he would be funkier on the field and a bit more proactive in making changes (assuming he’d follow the lead he sets in white ball cricket) but not sure how much the selection of the team would change.

8.18am GMT

38th over: Sri Lanka 107-4 (Mathews 37, Chandimal 31) Hello all, I think Rob’s right (as ever) – England could do with a change of pace and change of attack to knock these two out of their comfort zone. My choice would be a few overs of aggressive stuff from Stokes to get the batsmen leaping about a bit. Rashid continues though, with Stokes firmly ensconced at slip, and his second ball is a doozy - dipping and turning a mile across Chandimal’s bows. He drops it too short a few balls later and is clouted for four through midwicket.

Meanwhile, this caught my eye earlier - Northern Districts duo Joe Carter and Brett Hampton managed to plunder 43 runs from an over in the Ford Trophy.

8.11am GMT

37th over: Sri Lanka 102-4 (Mathews 36, Chandimal 27) The runs are coming more comfortably for Sri Lanka. It feels like England need a change of pace, either Anderson or Stokes, at Moeen’s end. But I would say this partnership has been more about good batting than bad bowling; Chandimal and Mathews have played expertly. It’s still a pretty good pitch and England did really well to take those four early wickets.

That’s drinks, and time for me to do one. Tom Bryant will be with you for the rest of the day – you can contact him on tom.bryant@theguardian.com. Bye!

8.08am GMT

36th over: Sri Lanka 95-4 (Mathews 33, Chandimal 23) Chandimal survives a referral to the third umpire. England thought he was out, caught low by Stokes at slip off a beautiful delivery by Rashid. Chandimal stood his ground and the umpires went upstairs – the soft signal was out, but replays suggested it bounced fractionally short of Stokes. There were no complaints from England. Rashid is getting into his work now, and later in the over Chandimal inside-edges not far short of the man at short leg.

8.02am GMT

35th over: Sri Lanka 89-4 (Mathews 33, Chandimal 17) Chandimal laps Moeen for two, a premeditated shot that prompted Foakes to charge down the leg side without success. On Sky, Mike Atherton makes the good point that England’s slightly passive tactics have allowed Sri Lanka back in the game after lunch - just as Sri Lanka did with their slightly defensive approach at the same stage yesterday. It might be time for Ben Stokes to try to rough up the wounded Chandimal.

7.59am GMT

34th over: Sri Lanka 83-4 (Mathews 31, Chandimal 13) Not a great over from Rashid, who hasn’t got his length right yet. You can understand him being a bit more nervous in Test cricket than when he plays under Eoin Morgan.

7.55am GMT

33rd over: Sri Lanka 80-4 (Mathews 29, Chandimal 12) This low-key partnership of 40 in 16 overs, with only a couple of boundaries, is just what Sri Lanka needed in the circumstances. England won’t be worried yet, but they will if Mathews and Chandimal are still together in a couple of hours’ time.

7.52am GMT

32nd over: Sri Lanka 75-4 (Mathews 24, Chandimal 12) Adil Rashid gets his first bowl, replacing Jack Leach, who bowled a good spell of 12-2-17-1. A quiet first over goes for three.

7.48am GMT

31st over: Sri Lanka 72-4 (Mathews 22, Chandimal 11) These are Sri Lanka’s two best players, both averaging just under 45 in Test cricket, and so far they have played with calm authority.

7.45am GMT

30th over: Sri Lanka 69-4 (Mathews 20, Chandimal 11) So far, day two has been the same as day one: a flurry of wickets before lunch and sensible accumulation thereafter. The game is drifting at the moment, which suits Sri Lanka more than England.

7.42am GMT

29th over: Sri Lanka 66-4 (Mathews 18, Chandimal 10) “Can anyone tell me why I dreamt I was having a cup of tea with Alan Curbishley in the living room of my childhood home last night?” sniffs Niall Mullen. “Like most people I stopped dreaming about Curbs a decade ago so I’m a bit stumped.”

What’s it worth?

7.39am GMT

28th over: Sri Lanka 64-4 (Mathews 17, Chandimal 9) Mathews and Chandimal are looking increasingly comfortable, so it might be time for a change. I’d get Anderson and/or Rashid on.

7.37am GMT

27th over: Sri Lanka 61-4 (Mathews 17, Chandimal 6) Mathews reverse-sweeps Moeen for four. Any why not?

7.32am GMT

26th over: Sri Lanka 55-4 (Mathews 11, Chandimal 6) Leach turns a peach past Mathews’ defensive push. This pitch seems to reward the spinners when they bowl it a bit slower. England don’t have Jeremty Snape, alas, but I’m looking forward to seeing Adil Rashid. His natural pace is the slowest of the three spinners.

7.29am GMT

25th over: Sri Lanka 54-4 (Mathews 10, Chandimal 6) Chandimal, having made two from 27 balls, sweeps Moeen firmly round the corner for four. Sri Lanka needed that hit of oxygen. It’s their first boundary since the sixth over.

7.27am GMT

24th over: Sri Lanka 49-4 (Mathews 9, Chandimal 2) Leach has a huge LBW shout against Chandimal turned down by Marais Erasmus. England decide not to review, and replays show there was an inside edge. It almost deflected to Foakes, who dived sharply to his right but couldn’t reach it.

“Morning Rob,” says Finbar Anslow. “Here in North Italy it’s finally stopped raining, just crossed and alarmingly full River PO – re: Joe Root’s fielding, was it Mr Trescothick who invented the kneelslip?”

7.23am GMT

23rd over: Sri Lanka 48-4 (Mathews 8, Chandimal 2) Moeen gets one to kick and bounce at Matthews, who wears it on the thigh. The ball isn’t turning often, but when it does it goes a fair way.

“OK condolences withdrawn,” says Zaph Mann. “My sensitivity to early hours is borne from late night habits and… I’m standing in on former partner’s cow feeding duties (twice a day 12 hours apart & fork up the patties) with a mix of nostalgia at my loss and relief that I’m not stuck with this now as I was for years day in day out. At which thought the idea of a herd of fielders, a thicket of slips and a growth of wicketkeepers occurred… at least it’s not ‘inspired’ poetry per yesterday.”

7.20am GMT

22nd over: Sri Lanka 47-4 (Mathews 7, Chandimal 2) England have a slip and short leg for Leach. They could perhaps be a bit more attacking, but then again they are applying pressure through dot balls. Sri Lanka have scored 15 runs from the last 14 overs.

“Allow me to respond ever so humbly to John Starbuck’s 16th over aspersions, that have in no way cut me to the quick,” says Brian Withington. “Said discarded thigh pads were likely not of schoolboy origin, since the nets were used extensively by local clubs and indeed Essex CCC. Rumour even had it that some kit was left by a young Graham Gooch (local Ilford club man making good).

7.17am GMT

21st over: Sri Lanka 46-4 (Mathews 6, Chandimal 2) Chandimal is beaten by Moeen. His injury means Sri Lanka can only walk singles, which won’t help to alleviate the pressure. Quite the predicament they’re in here.

“Hi Rob,” says Tim Maitland. “Wouldn’t a group of wicketkeepers be called something more like a ‘nice-one-nice-one-I-like-that of wicketkeepers’?”

7.14am GMT

20th over: Sri Lanka 43-4 (Mathews 4, Chandimal 1) Jack Leach starts after lunch to Angelo Mathews. Nothing happens, and life goes on.

“Morning Rob,” says Harry Mann. “Walking the halls of the excellent St George’s hospital, Tooting after the birth of my daughter Tilly yesterday has given me ample opportunity to keep abreast of goings-on in Galle. This new upstart Foakes seems to be playing without the pressure or hindrances of recent first timers - is this good management, good talent or something else? If the former, what’s changed and if the latter, where has he been for the past year or so? Either way it’s an encouraging start - and given me something to read whilst awaiting the opening of the M&S coffee shop - many thanks.”

7.02am GMT

“Hello Rob,” says Zaph Mann. “Commiserations on the unholy time to be up typing. For once being in Oregon is handy timing at least for the first two sessions. Given the thrashings you mention I was wondering if this is a one-off because:

“1) It’s rainy and overcast - English conditions?

6.32am GMT

19th over: Sri Lanka 42-4 (Mathews 3, Chandimal 1) Moeen continues to Chandimal, who is definitely struggling with his groin. Mathews wanted to take a quick single off the second ball, at which point Chandimal sent him back with a decisive bark. A maiden from Moeen completes a spectacular opening session for England.

Ben Foakes made a century on debut and then England’s first four bowlers took a wicket apiece to put them in complete control of the match. See you in half an hour for the afternoon session!

6.29am GMT

18th over: Sri Lanka 42-4 (Mathews 3, Chandimal 1) I can’t believe I’m saying this before lunch on day two, but it’s getting hard to see any other result than an England victory. And if they do win, we shouldn’t underestimate what an immense result it would be. Australia and South Africa were completely thrashed in Sri Lanka.

Chandimal walks a single off Leach. He hasn’t yet needed to break into a jog. But given Mathews’ run-out problems, it could be an interesting partnership.

6.25am GMT

17th over: Sri Lanka 40-4 (Mathews 2, Chandimal 0) The new batsman is the captain Dinesh Chandimal, batting down the order because he was off the field with a groin problem. We’ll soon see whether he’s able to run.

6.23am GMT

It’s spin at both ends, with Moeen Ali replacing Sam Curran - and he strikes third ball! Dhananjaya premeditates a lap stroke, misses and is bowled middle stump. That’s an abysmal shot in the circumstances, very similar to Stokes’s at the same stage yesterday. England were in trouble then. Sri Lanka are breast-deep in the malodorous stuff now.

6.20am GMT

16th over: Sri Lanka 38-3 (Dhananjaya 12, Mathews 2) Another good over from Leach yields just a single. Repetition is the key to so much of his success, and he is in a nice groove here.

“Thigh-pads at schoolboy cricket level (14th over)?” sniffs John Starbuck. “There’s posh!”

6.16am GMT

15th over: Sri Lanka 37-3 (Dhananjaya 11, Mathews 2) Angelo Mathews has plenty to prove after that weird shemozzle before the ODIs. He’s still a brilliant player, perhaps Sri Lanka’s best, and England would love to get rid of him before he gets his eye in. He plays a couple of confident drives off Curran without piercing the field. A maiden. This has been a good second spell from Curran, 3-1-2-0 I think.

“For those seeking online commentary there’s always Guerilla Cricket,” says Phil Withall, “where you can sometimes catch Gary Naylor (OBO stalwart) commentating.”

6.11am GMT

14th over: Sri Lanka 37-3 (Dhananjaya 11, Mathews 2) Leach has got his pace just right now, around 50mph. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he ended up as Man of the Match in this game. Root is fielding on his knees at gully, literally, for the new batsman Mathews.

“I’d quite forgotten about the unfounded accusation against John Lever’s magnificent performances on his India tour (6th over),” says Brian Withington. “Nice guy, too - occasionally supervised our winter nets in the early 70s at Bill Morris’s celebrated indoor cricket school behind the Beehive Pub in Ilford. Considerably more laid back than Stuart Turner, who could be a bit, erm, enthusiastic off just a one-pace run-up. Rather shocking for a schoolboy, in fact, considering he was considered no more than a busy trundler off his full run. The memory is somewhat sharpened by recall of the aroma of lost and discarded thigh pads and other protective changing room flotsam and jetsam ...”

6.07am GMT

Beautifully done by Jack Leach. That’s a craftsman at work. He was building pressure through relentless accuracy and now he has taken his first wicket. The line and length were perfect and the ball turned just enough to find the edge as Mendis pushed forward defensively. Stokes took a smart low catch at slip.

6.04am GMT

13th over: Sri Lanka 34-2 (Dhananjaya 10, Mendis 19) Curran angles a good delivery past the edge of Mendis. For a while it looked like Sri Lanka wanted to counter-attack, but since the introduction of Leach they have been forced back. The last six overs have brought only four runs.

“A bellowing of wicketkeepers?” says Ian Forth. “Good enough for bullfinches.”

6.01am GMT

12th over: Sri Lanka 33-2 (Dhananjaya 10, Mendis 18) Leach hasn’t turned it yet, that first ball aside, but he’s building pressure with his accuracy. Another maiden gives him figures of 3-2-1-0.

5.57am GMT

11th over: Sri Lanka 33-2 (Dhananjaya 10, Mendis 18) Five overs is a lot in this heat, even for Jimmy Anderson, so he is replaced by Sam Curran. Dhananjaya, who has calmed down after a busy start, pulls a short ball for a single in an otherwise uneventful over. I say ‘otherwise’; pulling a single isn’t exactly the event of the year. Look, cut me some slack, it’s 5.57am.

5.53am GMT

10th over: Sri Lanka 32-2 (Dhananjaya 9, Mendis 18) A maiden from Leach, who has started with his usual accuracy, to Mendis. I reckon he could drop the pace a touch - hey man, slow down - but it’s been an encouraging start.

5.51am GMT

9th over: Sri Lanka 32-2 (Dhananjaya 9, Mendis 18) Anderson is moving the ball back into the right-handers, both in the air and off the pitch, and draws an inside-edge from Dhananjaya. It’s been a really good spell from Anderson. With his fitness, skill and enthusiasm, he is a disgrace to the average 36-year-old man.

“In response to George’s request for TMS overseas link - I don’t think TMS have got the rights,” says Bob Moule. “Radio commentary is on Talksport2. I dunno about Norway, but the easiest way to get Talksport2 in Malaysia is to go via the Talksport webpage.”

5.46am GMT

8th over: Sri Lanka 31-2 (Dhananjaya 9, Mendis 17) Jack Leach replaces Sam Curran, who did his job with a spell of 3-0-14-1. Two things to look out for here: the new ball did a lot for the spinners yesterday, and Perera in particular got more from the pitch when he bowled it slower. Leach’s first ball is a jaffa, tossed up and gripping enough to beat Mendis’s defensive push. He is used to bowling on helpful pitches at Taunton/Ciderabad and has the capacity to be a matchwinner in these conditions. An excellent start.

“Rob,” says Brian Withington. “Mike Atherton on Sky has just been musing at a collective noun for wicket keepers in view of England’s current riches, and preferred an ‘irritation’. My first thought was that a ‘clutch’ of keepers might be more appropriate, although I suppose a ‘quandary’ might also fit the bill?”

5.42am GMT

7th over: Sri Lanka 30-2 (Dhananjaya 9, Mendis 16) Sri Lanka are keen to counter-attack, Mendis in particular. Anderson, despite bowling expertly, has been relatively expensive: 4-0-16-1. Mind you, at least half those runs came off the edge.

“Morning, Rob,” says John Starbuck. “Karunaratne’s review indicates two things: one, he genuinely didn’t feel the nick and two, everybody needs more education and training on what the DRS is really for. Oh, and what about Lakmal’s five-for - worth a mention at least?”

5.38am GMT

6th over: Sri Lanka 28-2 (Dhananjaya 7, Mendis 16) Mendis drives consecutive deliveries from Curran for four, the first through midwicket and the second through mid-off. Those were majestic strokes.

“Sam Curran reminds me a lot of another blond swinger, John Lever,” says Gary Naylor. “He took 37 wickets at 20 in India, so a bit of movement in with the odd one holding its line might be handy.”

5.35am GMT

5th over: Sri Lanka 19-2 (Dhananjaya 6, Mendis 8) Mendis is beaten, feeling for a beauty just outside off stump, and then edges at catchable height for four. There’s a gap between second and third slip, and the ball went straight through it. Ach! Anderson is making the batsmen play more than is often the case with the new ball, an acknowledgement of the conditions. It’s been an emphatic start with the ball from England.

“Will ‘Smyth calls Galle’ become one of those things that people wait for every time there’s a test played there?” says Phil Withall. “Can we expect Peter Snow levels of enthusiasm and hyperbole in the future?”

5.30am GMT

4th over: Sri Lanka 14-2 (Dhananjaya 5, Mendis 4) I don’t know how to break this to you, but England are now in serious danger of winning an overseas Test for the first time since 2016. Their performance since lunch yesterday has been admirable, and they almost get a third wicket when the new batsman Kusal Mendis edges Curran wide of the slips for four.

“Top of the morning Rob,” says George Murphy. “A fine morning in Southern Norway compounded by Foakes’ debut ton. As much as I enjoy OBO it is reasonably difficult to keep up to date whilst pottering about on the scaffold in front of Stavanger cathedral. Despite my Cornish Heritage, I lack a third arm to refresh the thread whilst also maneuvering a hammer and chisel. Any chance for the TMS YouTube link? Standard searches only seem to produce old posts not the live link.”

5.27am GMT

That’s why England gave Sam Curran the new ball! Kaushal Silva has gone, plumb LBW to the inswinger. It was beautifully bowled by Curran, a textbook dismissal for a left-arm swing bowler to a right-handed batsman.

5.24am GMT

3rd over: Sri Lanka 10-1 (Silva 1, Dhananjaya 5) Dhananjaya tries to cut a lifting nipbacker from Anderson and so nearly drags it onto the stumps. This has been a superb start from Anderson, who recognises the importance of the new ball in these conditions.

“At the risk of being an incorrigible ne’er-do-well curmudgeon, may I express some slight disappointment that Ben Foakes stopped channelling his inner Cook as soon as he reached his well-deserved century?” says Brian Withington. “I hope Jimmy didn’t feel too slighted by the lack of faith shown in his willow yielding staying powers. Glad I got that off my chest.”

5.20am GMT

2nd over: Sri Lanka 8-1 (Silva 0, Dhananjaya 4) There was a suggestion England might open with Jack Leach, but the ball swung enough in that Anderson over to justify the use of Sam Curran. He too gets a soupcon of swing to the right-handers, though it’s nothing they can’t handle. One from the over.

“Why,” says John Leavey, “are there two TVs in my lounge?”

5.16am GMT

1st over: Sri Lanka 7-1 (Silva 0, Dhananjaya 3) The new batsman Dhananjaya inside-edges Anderson for a single. This has been some start for England. On Sky, Mike Atherton highlights England’s new, post-Cook cordon: Root at first slip, then Stokes, Burns and Buttler.

“Well, less than mid-term cricket prediction?” asks Bill Hargreaves. “Will this score hold water? (Chucking it down here in Dublin.)”

5.12am GMT

Anderson strikes second ball - but Karunaratne has reviewed it straight away! It was a tempting back-of-a-length outswinger which Karunaratne followed outside off stump, and England were certain he nicked it through to Ben Foakes. And that’s why they were certain: Ultra-Edge shows he did get a thin edge. Why the bloody blazes did he review that?

4.59am GMT

Foakes falls to the last ball of the over, trying to get as many quick runs as possible. He sliced Lakmal high towards extra cover, where Dhananjaya took a good diving catch. That was such a fine innings from Foakes: 107 from 202 balls with 10 fours.

4.58am GMT

97th over: England 342-9 (Foakes 107, Anderson 0) He’s done it! Ben Foakes drives Lakmal down the ground for four to reaches an outstanding century on debut! He gets a standing ovation from the crowd and the England balcony. Foakes takes off his helmet, smiles with boyish joy and raises his bat modestly to all corners of the ground. He’s only the fifth wicketkeeper to make a century on debut, and it’s been a near flawless innings.

As soon as he reaches the century, he goes into T20 mode and clouts Lakmal over midwicket for the third boundary of the over. And then...

4.52am GMT

96th over: England 330-9 (Foakes 95, Anderson 0) There are four men round the bat for Anderson. Make that five men - silly point, short leg, two slips and a gully. He edges his third ball this far short of slip and leaves the fourth to elaborate cheers from the Barmy Army.

4.49am GMT

Foakes will be nervous now! Leach edges to slip, where Dhananjaya de Silva takes a smart low catch. It was very close to a no-ball but he had a millimetre of heel behind the line. That’s Perera’s fifth wicket of the innings, and there are four balls left in the over.

4.45am GMT

95th over: England 330-8 (Foakes 95, Leach 15) Foakes pushes Lakmal square on the off side for two, and then for another single. Five to go. He doesn’t look remotely nervous or hurried, and isn’t attempting to farm the strike at this stage.

4.40am GMT

94th over: England 326-8 (Foakes 92, Leach 14) Leach dances down the track and chips Perera just short of the man at short extra cover. Two balls later he is beaten by a big-spinning delivery; he won’t mind that too much given he’s about to bowl on this pitch. Another maiden.

4.38am GMT

93rd over: England 326-8 (Foakes 92, Leach 14) Suranga Lakmal starts at the other end. Foakes, missing a work to leg, survives a strangled LBW appeal from a ball that would have bounced over the stumps. A maiden.

“Nespresso aside, what’s your mid-term prediction, Mr. Smyth?” asks Bill Hargreaves. “(The pitch looks like they’ve had a fair on the outfield in that photo.)”

Related: Midterm elections latest: Democrats take House, Republicans hold Senate – live

4.34am GMT

92nd over: England 326-8 (Foakes 92, Leach 14) Dilruwan Perera opens the bowling. Ben Foakes states his intentionos for the morning, driving the first ball of the morning superbly through extra cover for four. That takes him into the nineties. The over ends with Leach surviving a big shout for LBW. That looked close and I suspect Sri Lanka would have sent it upstairs had they not frittered away their reviews yesterday. This one might have been slipping past leg stump. Yes, replays show it was missing.

“Morning Rob,” says John Leavey. “Bit pissed now and aiming to move to the lounge to watch the whole day of England domination/rain. Question is, how drunk can I get and fit in a nap before heading out for tonight’s piss up? Advice welcome. Cheers (hic).”

4.27am GMT

Play will start on time, according to my snout in Galle, also known as Cricinfo. Bear with me, I’m a bit bleary eyed. Another five minutes with my face in a vat of Nespresso should resolve the problem.

4.07am GMT

Some pre-play reading

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8.33pm GMT

Morning. Right, that’s enough of the formalities: Ben Foakes is 13 short of an exceptional debut century, and not even the most incorrigible ne’er-do-well would begrudge him that. England will resume on 321 for eight, a score which, depending on whose opinion you agree with, is over-par, under-par, a fine effort or a missed opportunity.

On a normal Galle pitch, England could declare and still have a chance of an innings victory, but the wet weather has made it harder to judge what a good score might be in this match. We know the pitch will deteriorate; we don’t know how much and how quickly it will do so. We’ll soon find out.

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