England give Sri Lanka a way back into the final Test on a curious second day at The Kia Oval.
The home side squandered wickets to be bowled out for 325 before Sri Lanka reached 211-5, 114 behind.
Sri Lanka raced to 50 inside nine overs, led by Pathum Nissanka’s 40-ball half-century. He was not deterred by opening partner Dimuth Karunaratne being run-out by Olly Stone’s direct hit. After the frustration of more than half of day one being lost to the light, this second day was low-intensity and, at times, low-quality. With England already confirmed as series winners, the finale is lacking jeopardy and was not helped by more shenanigans with the light.
At a stroke, international sport resembled the village green. At a time when the future of Test cricket is debated, this was a scene of high farce. The crowd booed. Within moments, the sun came out. Hull, the 20-year-old, 6ft 7in left-armer, is the most outrageous pick of all England’s recent hunches. On in the 12th over, he swung the ball and was occasionally erratic, yet got the key wicket of Nissanka thanks to Woakes’ smart catch. It was just his 17th first-class wicket.
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