Bairstow ton but hosts fight back

– Jonny Bairstow laid down a marker to be England’s permanent No 3 yesterday but Sri Lanka clawed their way back into the final Test with late wickets.

At stumps, England, 2-0 up in the series, were 312/7, Bairstow making 110 in partnership with Joe Root and Ben Stokes, who hit a 50.

England have rested fast bowler James Anderson and brought Stuart Broad in.

Sri Lanka also made two changes, bringing in leftarm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan to replace Akila Dananjaya who is having his bowling action tested.

Under-performing opener Kaushal Silva was left out in favour of Danushka Gunathilaka. –

Colombo