England cricket team is just 229 runs away from their first Test victory in Galle. Thanks to a 63-run third wicket partnership between Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen England could score 111 runs for the loss of two wickets after coming to chase 340 runs set by Sri Lanka.
England still has two days and eight wickets remaining at hand. If they can win the match then it will be a record.
Jonathan Trott scored unbeaten 40 while Kevin Pietersen remained not out on 29 at the end of day three. Rangana Herath took the wickets of opening batsmen Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook.
The touring team was bowled out for 193 and was 125 runs short from Sri Lanka’s first innings of a model total of 318. However, in the second innings, the touring team scored 214 runs losing all wickets and put a mammoth total of 339 against England.
Sri Lanka resumed the overnight score of 84 for 5 and added 130 runs on third day. English spinner Graeme Swann claimed 6 wickets for 82.
Though Sri Lanka lost the match against Australia last year, their 253 was the highest fourth-innings total in 18 previous Tests at the same ground while Sri Lanka’s 96-0 against India in 2010 is the highest winning score batting fourth.
Both Sri Lanka and England will play two Test matches. After losing at the hands of Pakistan by 3-0 Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in January and February, England cricket team is looking for making a bounce back. Sri Lanka cricket team has not got a Test victory since August 2009. So, both teams will fight for a victory.
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