SL vs ENG: England's Joe Root Hits Double Century Against Sri Lanka

Joe Root on Saturday completed his fourth Test double century but ran out of partners as his England team threw away wickets against Sri Lanka before he could reach his career-best. The England captai

The 30-year-old acknowledged the applause from his teammates in the pavilion as well as lone England fan Rob Lewis watching from a historic fort overlooking the ground. Lewis has been waiting for the match in Sri Lanka for 10 months since it was postponed in March.

We have been bowled out for 421.

The skipper the last man out for a wonderful 228

Scorecard: https://t.co/awwR0kldEx#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/IWXKXHeI7u

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 16, 2021

Root finally went caught by Emuldeniya on the boundary as he went for a six off Dilruwan Perera.

But while England has a big lead that gives them hope of victory without batting again, it was not the "ruthless" display that Root had demanded on Friday.

Seven wickets fell in the session to the Sri Lankan bowlers who had struggled so much on the second day.

Fast bowler Asitha Fernando took Jos Buttler (30) and Sam Curran (0) with successive balls.

In the next over Root hit his landmark four off Emuldeniya but Dom Bess was run out as the tourists suffered a bout of nerves.

Perera also took Jack Leach and Mark Wood in successive overs to finish on four for 109 runs.

Sri Lanka was bowled out for 135 on the first day of the first of the two Tests, both to be held in Galle behind closed doors.