Live Test Match Blogging / Andrew Hughes / 19 June 2011 /

Rain has ruined much of the first three days but England can still force a win. Andrew Hughes will be keeping us updated on all the action from the Rose Bowl

CLOSE Sri Lanka 112-3
That's it. Sri Lanka finish the day 81 behind. It's looking like a draw, but it all depends on the weather tomorrow. Richard O'Hagan will be on hand in the morning to talk you through the action on the final day of the series.

18:55 Sri Lanka 112-3
Broad raps Herath on the pad and pleads with Aleem Dar before trying to persuade his teammates that they should review it. As ever, Broad's judgement on what is worth reviewing proves a little suspect. Clearly pitching outside leg stump

WICKET Jayawardene c Prior b Broad 6
At last Broad gets some reward for a good spell and now there is a glimmer for England. Herath trudges out as a nightwatchman. England's win price has dropped dramatically to [2.5] and Sri Lanka are starting to look a little wobbly.

18:45 Sri Lanka 110-2
This is the key partnership for Sri Lanka. Broad and Anderson are operating in tandem to try to separate them, but only 15 minutes to go tonight.

WICKET Thirimanne c Strauss b Tremlett 38
Thin edge from the young opener but he has to go. Courageous innings, but a deserved wicket from Tremlett who has looked dangerous with every ball.

18:10 Sri Lanka 82-1
Tremlett has returned to batter the tourists, but they remain unbowed at present. We're into the last hour, but though Sri Lanka look well set to save the game, they are still 111 behind and a couple of quick wickets could expose their longish tail.

17:35 Sri Lanka 59-1
Sangakkara looks determined to finish this series on a high, coping well with Broad and Swann at the moment. Although England are bowling well, they really need a breakthrough soon. Sri Lanka 130 behind and the draw has shortened to [1.33]

17:15 Sri Lanka 51-1
Ouch! Thirimanne cops a nasty one on the glove. He's taking a hammering but showing tremendous courage on his Test debut. A real battle out there, great to watch.

16:45 Sri Lanka 36-1
Interesting duel between Sangakkara and Anderson, although I do think Jimmy is wasting his time with the staring. He has to be one of the feeblest sledgers in the world. About as scary as a peeved librarian.

WICKET Paranavitana c Swann b Anderson 10
There's the breakthrough! Low catch from Swann at second slip and England are on their way. [2.52] for a home win now. Can England do it? Let me know what you think at betfairliveblogger@hotmail.co.uk

16:25 Sri Lanka 25-0
Aleem Dar has his light meter out, it is a little dark out there, but then that's why they have floodlights. Clouds gathering, but they're staying out there.

16:14 Sri Lanka 17-0
We're back after a refreshing cup of tea. The Sri Lankans are hanging in there. Tremlett is coming up with some absolute snorters, but Paranavitana and Thirimanne are leaving the ball well. Tense and absorbing stuff

TEA Sri Lanka 14-0
Good work by the Sri Lankan openers, surviving a barrage from Tremlett and some testing deliveries from Anderson. Their work has only just begun, but draw backers have obviously been reassured by what they've seen and the draw is now down to [1.73]

15:25 Sri Lanka 2-0
The enormous Tremlett and the not-quite-so-enormous but deadly Anderson are England's opening duo and they are hurling everything at the Sri Lankans. They'll do well to get to tea unscathed, I reckon

WICKET Broad c Sub b Lakmal 0
The lead is 193 and the declaration comes. Standing ovation for Ian Bell and now the game is really on. Sri Lanka have a nasty half an hour to survive before tea. England are a shade of odds on at [1.99] and the draw is [2.0]

WICKET Prior c Jayawardene b Perera 0
Good sharp catch at point, Prior threw the kitchen sink at it but got his placement wrong. Declaration imminent, surely.

WICKET Morgan c Jayawardene b Lakmal 71
Morgan ends up giving his wicket away trying to accelerate the scoring, but it was a knock as entertaining as you'd expect. Prior is the next man in and he's no slouch. The lead is 189.

14:46 England 357-5
Drinks have come and gone and still England are batting. The lead is 171 and both batsmen are throwing caution to the wind. Are they going for a 200 lead?

14:26 England 340-5
There it is, lovely hundred from Bell, his 14th and as stylish as ever. The lead is 156. How much longer will England bat on? Let me know what lead you think England need here at Betfairliveblogger@hotmail.co.uk

14:23 England 338-5
Morgan has his fifty, a good innings in the circumstances, although the pressure is on to pile on quick runs, he is at the start of his Test career and so he can't be giving his wicket away. Awaiting the next landmark, which will be Bell's deserved century

14:10 England 323-5
One or two umbrellas going up, but let's hope the umpires try to keep them out there. Bell is batting beautifully and is closing in on a century

13:45 England 297-5
Welcome back, another interesting session ahead. The new ball is due in four overs and England may be considering a declaration before tea. The draw has drifted out a little and is currently [1.69] and that could go up sharply if England really push on.

LUNCH England 291-5
Some progress for England but Bell and Morgan slowed things down and they really need to kick on after the interval if they want to put Sri Lanka under some pressure. See you in 40 minutes

12:45 England 275-5
Herath comes on for just his 5th over of the innings. Extraordinary really. He is no Murali, but surely Sri Lanka have underused him in this game.

12:25 England 259-5
James has emailed in at betfairliveblogger@hotmail.co.uk and raises the question of what kind of lead England should be looking for here. Tricky. Depends how much play they think there will be tomorrow. If it's none, then a declaration midway through the afternoon with a lead of 140 or so might be necessary. The draw is currently [1.62] and can be expected to go up sharply on the declaration, whenever it might come.

12:21 England 254-5
Portugese Pirate has been in touch, making an interesting comparison between two South African born captains, Andrew Strauss and Graeme Smith. In always using Anderson as nightwatchman regardless of the situation, Strauss is showing the same inflexibility that dogged Smith throughout his tenure. I tend to agree and if England want to be number one, they have to be both more flexible and more adventurous

12:05 England 242-5
England have become bogged down a little. Given tomorrow's forecast, they can't afford to become becalmed. Are England getting their tactics right? Get in touch at betfairliveblogger@hotmail.co.uk

WICKET Anderson c Jayawardene b Welegedara 27
Sparky little innings from Anderson comes to an end, he did exactly what was asked of him. Little celebration from the Sri Lankans and the lead is 52.

11:36 England 224-4
Umpires consulting as the rain is falling. And the right decision! There's a spot of rain around but really, it is perfectly playable and likely to blow over. Well done the men in white coats

11:29 England 220-4
Clearly the plan is for Bell to hold up one end while the stroke player Anderson cuts loose. At least, that's how it appears. Clouds ammassing but let's pretend we haven't seen them.

11:04 England 203-4
Blimey! Couple of expansive shots from Anderson, clearly he's been told to get on with things. We could be in for an exciting day. England are [2.28] at the moment, the draw around [1.8]

10:58 England 195-4
We're about to get underway. What would you do if you were Andrew Strauss? Push on to get a big lead or try an adventurous declaration?

10:47 England 195-4
Morning everyone. I probably shouldn't tempt fate like this, but the sun is out and the forecast is set fair for what has the potential to be a highly entertaining day of cricket. I'll be keeping you up to date throughout Sunday's play and don't forget you can get in touch at betfairliveblogger@hotmail.co.uk

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