Rain ruins first day as hosts strike twice
Only 15 overs were possible on day one of the third and deciding Test between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo on Thursday, with the visitors reaching 50 for two before the rain brought an early end to proceedings.
After winning the toss and deciding to field first, Sri Lanka made a good start when seamer Dhammika Prasad clean bowled opening batsman Lokesh Rahul with the second ball of the match to leave the tourists on two for one.
A good start became a great start when the other seamer, Nuwan Pradeep, trapped number three batsman Ajinkya Rahane in front for eight in the fourth over innings.
With the away side on 14 for two, their captain Virat Kohli (14*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (19*) steadied the ship somewhat as they took the score to the half-century mark before the heavens opened.
Both teams made two changes to their starting line-up from the last Test. India was enforced as injuries ruled out opener Murali Vijay and wicketkeeper Wriddihman Saha.
Pujara and keeper Naman Ojha, making his Test debut, were called into the team. Sri Lanka replaced the retired Kumar Sangakkara with Upul Tharanga while Jehan Mubarak made way to let Kusal Perera also make his debut in the whites.
The hosts won the first Test by 62 runs while India won the second match by a convincing 278-run margin.
Latest
-
NewsTom Westley and Essex have their sights set on Royal London Cup silverware
Essex, who won the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2019, have only two players in The Hundred.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson stars at Manchester Originals have Birmingham Phoenix in a spin
The England leg spinner’s four for nine set up the victory for Jos Buttler’s side.
-
NewsHaseeb Hameed hundred helps Nottinghamshire defeat Warwickshire
Essex and Lancashire remain perfect in Group Two after two games.
-
NewsHundred organisers hit out at ‘unacceptable’ abuse
Players have been targeted since the launch of cricket’s new format.
-
NewsJoe Root admits friendship will be set aside against Ben Stokes in The Hundred
The England pair face off with Trent Rockers and Northern Superchargers on Monday.
-
NewsLocal hero Jonny Bairstow stuns Headingley with impressive Welsh Fire knock
Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, captaining the Fire, hit 56 from 36 balls in The Hundred clash.
-
News‘He’s a fantastic asset’ – Joe Root excited to see Rashid Khan in Hundred action
The England Test captain and Afghanistan leg-spinner are team-mates at Trent Rockets.
-
News5 things we learned from the opening games of The Hundred
The near 8,000 who turned up for night one represented the biggest ever UK crowd for a women’s match.
-
NewsFirst-pick Rashid Khan proud to be flying flag for Afghanistan in The Hundred
The leg-spinner is excited about the prospect of bowling 10 balls in a row when he turns out for Trent Rockets.
-
NewsAdil Rashid looking forward to coming up against Jonny Bairstow in The Hundred
When they face off on Saturday the Yorkshire and England team-mates will be on opposite sides for the first time.