Sri Lanka slumps to 67-6 in 2nd innings on day 4 vs England

 England moved into a strong position to sweep two-test series against Sri Lanka after spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess claimed three wickets each in a wild morning session Monday.

England resumed at 339-9 on day four and ded only five runs before being dismissed, giving Sri Lanka a 37-run first-innings le. But far from enhancing vant, Sri Lanka’s top order was skittled and home team reached lunch at 67-6, an overall le of 104 runs.

England spinners went wicketless in first innings but me amends early in second, with pitch offering plenty of turn and bounce. Spin was introduced early in innings with Bess operating from Dutch Fort End after just four overs of seam.

Leach started from City End and me his presence felt immediately by trapping Kusal Perera leg before wicket for 14. Bess n bowled into rough and h Osha Fernando (3) caught bat-p by Zak Crawley at forwarding short leg. Lahiru Thirimanne scored 13 before he flicked a Leach delivery into Crawley’s hands at short leg and slide got worse, with three wickets falling for 10 runs within 13 deliveries.

Angelo Maws (5), who scored a century in first innings, was bowled attempting a sweep to a ball from Bess which pitched outside off stump and turned sharply.

Stand-in captain Dinesh Chandimal h a failure immediately after launching Leach for four to mid-wicket boundary. He tried to clear mid-on from next delivery, but didn’t get elevation and was well caught by 38-year-old Jimmy Anderson in outfield. Niroshan Dickwella, who earned much miration for his career-best 92 in first innings, was out for seven driving straight into hands of Daniel Lawrence in covers.

England was in control of first session, putting Sri Lanka in danger of being bowled out for ir lowest total against England. That mark was 81, set at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in 2001. England captain Joe Root's 186 helped England narrow in on Sri Lanka's first-innings total before was run out in last over on day three.

Root’s 309-ball was kck ended when he attempted to flick Dilruwan Perera to mid-wicket butOsha Fernando grabbed thick edge at short leg on bounce. Root h taken a few steps out of crease and, sensing an opportunity, Fernando threw stumps down as a tired Root’s diving effort couldn’t save him.

Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya finished with 7-137 from 42 overs.