Jennings puts Sri Lanka on the ropes

A KEATON JENNINGS century helped England put Sri Lanka on the ropes in the first Test yesterday, setting the hosts a daunting 462 to win at notoriously low-scoring Galle. England declared at 322 for six on day three with Jennings 146 not out after a patient innings that saw him deal deftly with the home side’s spin attack. At the close of play, Sri Lanka were 15 without loss with Dimuth Karunaratne on seven and Kaushal Silva on eight after hanging on for seven overs, with a further 447 to make at a ground where no team has successfully chased more than 99. In the morning session a somewhat shaky Rory Burns, brought in to fill the huge shoes of the retired Alastair Cook, was run out for 23. Moeen Ali, out first ball in the first innings, fared little better, driving straight to Rangana Herath at mid-on off Dilruwan Perera for three. Herath, in his last game before retiring, then got England captain Joe Root out for the second time in the match, caught behind for three. But Jennings played cautiously and looked comfortable against spin against Perera and the other spinners. An LBW appeal off Dhananjaya de Silva when Jennings was on 58 was turned down and Sri Lanka chose not to review.