Alex Hales fell agonisingly short of a first Test century on a rain-interrupted fourth day of the third Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.
The England opener, who was out for 83 and 86 in Leeds and Durham respectively, was trapped LBW by Angelo Mathews just six runs away from a place on the famous honours board and trudged off crestfallen.
But the 25-year-old’s 94-run contribution put England in a solid position to push for a series whitewash on the final day with a 330-run lead and ten wickets to take in 98 overs.
Sri Lanka openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva made a positive start however and survived unscathed through 12 hostile overs to make 32-0 at the close.
The players finally emerged at 2:40pm and observed a minute of silence after the passing of distinguished cricket administrator Donald Carr overnight.
Under improbable bright sunshine and white fluffy clouds, Hales was just nine runs from a half century for the third successive Test and quickly reached the target in fortunate fashion with two edged fours through the slip cordon.
Nightwatchman Steven Finn did not last long before being stone-dead LBW to Shaminda Eranga for seven. Out strode fit-again Alastair Cook at number seven to join his usual opening partner, who was bowled by Nuwan Pradeep only for a no-ball to be called by Rod Tucker when a slow-motion replay showed the fast bowler’s heel was breaking the line.
Undeterred, Hales yet again showed his increasing poise against the red ball with mature shot selection, working Rangana Herath for singles and a controlled six. Cook and Hales put on 82 together but after 179 balls and with the tea break imminent, Mathews slid a 75-mph delivery into the Nottinghamshire man’s pads and he had to go.
After more rain breaks the score was 202-6 and, keen for a dart at Sri Lanka late in the day, Cook played two scoop shots and crashed a big six in between Moeen Ali being out caught at long on by Herath off Eranga for nine.
With the lead at 361 and Cook on 49 not out, the captain declared on 233-7 to allow 12 overs for his well-rested pace attack to steam into the visitors. Stuart Broad and James Anderson produced multiple plays and misses with prodigious movement but Karunaratne and Silva survived with a combination of luck and judgment.
Sliva, growing in confidence, then drove Broad for two immaculately timed fours up the hill as the shadows lengthened. The duo, each facing 36 balls, closed on 32-0 – Karunaratne 19* and Silva 12* – and need 330 runs tomorrow to record an unlikely victory.
Sri Lanka and England will go head to head in Cardiff at The SSE SWALEC on Saturday 2nd July. Secure your seats for the match with adult prices starting from £35 and under 17s £10. More details here