SLOPPY ENGLAND BLOW BIG CHANCE

JACK LEACH admitted England’s game plan took a wrong turn on day two in Kandy but believes the prospect of bowling last on a spinning pitch offers reason for optimism. The tourists were quietly confident their first-innings total was a strong foundation on a dry and turning track, especially when it was boosted to 290 due to a five-run penalty for Sri Lanka, Roshen Silva adjudged to have run one short on purpose. But they now face a 46-run deficit as the hosts dug in for 103 overs in Kandy. England eventually finished Sri Lanka off for 336, with Silva the last man out for 85, and 125 runs coming from the last three partnerships. Leach and Adil Rashid shared six wickets, Moeen Ali added two and part-time spinner Joe Root one, but there could be no avoiding the conclusion that England’s spin unit let Sri Lanka off. Despite the ball jagging off the pitch, precision and pressure went missing too often. In a surprise move, Leach then joined Rory Burns to open the batting, seeing off all six balls left in the day. ‘We’re a bit disappointed they’ve got a lead,’ Leach conceded. ‘At one point we were hoping we’d have that lead going into batting but we’re feeling good about bowling last on that wicket. ‘On these wickets you have to be extra patient, always asking questions of the batter. I feel I could have done that a little better and that’s something I have to take away and learn from.’ Meanwhile, England captain Root was handed an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second day. Root appeared to show dissent at umpire Marais Erasmus’ decision to turn down an appeal for the dismissal of Dilruwan Perera off Ali by shaking his head and kicking the turf.