England gave Sri Lanka a way back into the final Test on a curious second day at The Kia Oval.
The home side squandered wickets to be bowled out for 325 before Sri Lanka reached 211-5, 114 behind.
Like the first day, bad light was a constant threat, at one stage resulting in the bewildering sight of Chris Woakes bowling four balls of off-spin.
Home captain Ollie Pope turned his century into 154 but received little support. Sri Lanka’s bowlers were much improved from their poor showing on Friday and, with England’s aggression tipping into recklessness, the hosts lost their last seven wickets for 64 runs.
England’s ultra-positivity carried into their bowling and field settings, probably because of an eagerness to capitalise on the conditions.
Sri Lanka raced to 50 inside nine overs, led by Pathum Nissanka’s 40-ball half-century. He was not deterred by opening partner Dimuth Karunaratne being run-out by Olly Stone’s direct hit.
Nissanka became the first Test wicket for debutant Josh Hull when he drove to a diving Woakes at extra cover. With Stone taking two wickets in as many overs, Sri Lanka lost three for seven to slip to 93-5.
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis battled and, when the light worsened after tea, England had to bowl spin. Crucially, Hull dropped De Silva on 23.
Sri Lanka were making good progress until the umpires decided it was too dark. By that point, De Silva had 64 and Mendis 54, their stand worth an unbroken 118.
