England v Sri Lanka: third men’s cricket Test match, day four – live | England v Sri Lanka 2024

30th over: Sri Lanka 152-2 (Nissanka 87, Mathews 15) We said earlier this morning that Hull was takign a fitness test and his speeds being down reflect that; he’s quickly removed from the attack, Stone returning at his end. And another solid over for the tourists follows, featuring two twos, a single and neither alarms nor surprises. The partnership is 44 runs from 10.3 overs and at drinks, Sri Lanka need 67 runs to win.

29th over: Sri Lanka 147-2 (Nissanka 82, Mathews 15) Pope introduces Bashir into the attack and Mathews takes one to cover then, offered one that sits up, Nisskana doesn’t miss out, hauling it around the corner for four. The scoring has speeded up in recent overs and here comes another boundary, Mathews down on one knee to slog-sweep high to deep backward square. Sri Lanka need 72 runs to win.

28th over: Sri Lanka 137-2 (Nissanka 77, Mathews 10) Hull’s pace is down from an average 82.6 mph in the first innings to an average 80.3 now, as Nissanka turns to square leg and Nathan Barwell, England’s sub fielder, runs and hurls, forcing Mathews into a full-length dive as the ball zips over the top. You can, I’m sure, guess what happens next, but just in case, of course Athers notes that we’re big fans of sub-fielding contributions in this country, given RT Ponting sat next to him. Otherwise, two singles follow, then Nissanaka gets right up on his tippy-toes to cut hard for four, in the process making this a really good over for the tourists. Sri Lanka need 82 runs to win.

27th over: Sri Lanka 129-2 (Nissanka 70, Mathews 9) England are, Ricky explains, looking to drag Nissanka across and nip the ball back into him, while taking it away from Mathews; the former nudges a single to cover, then the latter turns one slanting across him into the on-side for one more. Two more follow when Mathews is again offered a release around the corner, and this is excellent from Sri Lanka, their batting calm and unhurried – for now, at least. Sri Lanka need 90 runs to win.

26th over: Sri Lanka 124-2 (Nissanka 68, Mathews 6) Boyd Rankin Josh Hull now replaces Atkinson and Nissanka angles his third delivery down to backward point, the only run from the over. England need another wicket to get the tension going, because for now, Sri Lanka look pretty comfortable. Sri Lanka need 95 runs to win.

“My favourite Moeen innings was his not out 108 at Headingly,” agrees Philip May. “Lucky to see it live. I was sitting near the famous Sri Lankan cheerleader. He told me that was financially supported by Sri Lankan donors to travel round the world cheering them on. I have never read this, but he sat beside an even older man, who appeared partially blind or blind and, most of the time, he told the cheerleader what to chant.”

This sounds like a good job. How does one apply?

25th over: Sri Lanka 123-2 (Nissanka 67, Mathews 6) Ricky Pointing is in commentary, a development I consider news in and of itself because of how good he is at it; Olly Stone replaces Woakes in the England attack. Nissanka clips his first ball around the corner for two and a single follows when he jams down to keep out a delivery zoning in towards middle stump. Sri Lanka need 96 runs to win.

“Not just the prices,” says Nick Terdre. “I was there yesterday, sitting in block 5 of the JM Finn stand. It was a great day’s play, but I have to say marred somewhat by the way Surrey have crammed in the seats so that you can hardly move without knocking into your neighbour, and awkwardly grabbing your plastic mug of beer and other bits and pieces every time someone wants to get by. It’s like sitting on a crowded tube all day long, and I can only put it down to a desire to crowbar in as many punters as possible to maximise takings. It’s a miserable attitude. On the plus side, there was no unrefundable £1 deposit for the beer mugs as charged in Surrey games this season.”

My mate’s lad rinsed himself £140 collecting and returning empties at Lord’s the other day, but yup, the snooker at Ally Pally is like that too – or at least was the last time I went, knees under chin and no scope to adjustment. I can’t lie, for those of us unable to sit still, restricted movement can be kind of liberating, but it’s unlikely whoever made the call to pack em in had me in mind. Or did they?!

24th over: Sri Lanka 120-2 (Nissanka 64, Mathews 6) Atkinson will fancy a full over at Mathews, but looking at their attack, they do lack a word I’d best not use in family newspaper but is defined as “one that is formidable” by the Merriam-Webster dictionary; the kind of person able to refocus a match and make it all about them. Meantime, though, and though it’s not especially threatening, it’s the first maiden of the morning and Sri Lanka need 99 runs to win.

23rd over: Sri Lanka 120-2 (Nissanka 64, Mathews 6) Thinking back to that Bashir catch, I love it when you see athletes who aren’t obviously athletic remind you that they are, in fact, of an entirely different breed to you and me. The obvious comparator, at least in my mind, is Peter Crouch scoring an overhead kick, but back to the action, after a single to Mathews, Nissanka cuts four through point, and he still looks pretty comfy out there … ahahahaha! Of course, as I type, he has a yahoo and one that’s full but wide, missing everything. Sri Lanka need 99 wins to win.

22nd over: Sri Lanka 115-2 (Nissanka 60, Mathews 5) Atkinson’s getting up a bit of pace now, Nissanka knocking around the corner for a single. Against Mathews, Nass notes that he’ll be looking for away-movement and, on cue, he shapes one in that’s easily twizzled through midwicket for three and I wonder if it might help for him to go around the wicket. Sri Lanka need 104 runs to win.

21st over: Sri Lanka 111-2 (Nissanka 59, Mathews 2) I dunno, I don’t think Mathews is a Test number three. Othet hand, I do think he’s someone who’s loved putting England to the sword over the years, which makes him the perfect person to come in at this stage. Last time Sri Lanka won here, he was crucial – and, while we’re here, my favourite Moeen knock is the 108 not out rearguard at Headingley, the least Moeen knock imaginable – but as I type, he calls Nissanka through for KP-style Red Bull single, and with another direct hit, he’s gone. But the shy misses, he survives, and his side are one nearer their target – though, in comms, Kumar is distinctly unimpressed, calling the running “unacceptable”. A further single follows, and Sri Lanka need 108 runs to win.

20th over: Sri Lanka 109-2 (Nissanka 58, Mathews 1) I can’t think of many brilliant Atkinson spells this summer, but he appears to have a knack for taking wickets. Sri Lanka need 110 runs to win.

“With the complaints about the price to watch what may be a couple of hours play today:,” begins Andrew Milligan, “last week everyone was moaning about dynamic pricing when prices went up for Oasis tickets, so is the concept a good or a bad thing?”

Like many things, it depends, but the key difference I’d say is that Oasis are not a public institution that needs protecting and preserving for future generations.

WHAT A GRAB SHOAIB BASHIR! WICKET! Mendis c Bashir b Atkinson 39 (Sri Lanka 108-2)

19th over: Sri Lanka 106-1 (Nissanka 57, Mendis 38) Mendis drops and runs, Atkinson shies and breaks the stumps … but when we take a look we see Nissanka is well in though he was lax. Next, an attempted turn around the corner … was there an edge? There was not, rather a flick off the thigh, but Woakes is into this now, rapping the pad with one that’s just about going down, then a single and a three make this a pretty decent over for the Lankans. Sri Lanka need 113 runs to win.

“According to the ticket terms and conditions,” offers Mojo Wellington, “if no more than 30 overs are bowled, a 50% refund would be issued. Existing ticket holders could easily be compensated if today’s ticket prices were reduced. In reality, spectators will be sitting there hoping the Sri Lankans knock off the runs quickly, or England somehow blow them away so they can get some money back. Meanwhile, cricket fans have been kept away on the fourth day of a Test for two weeks running because of the greed of two wealthy Test-match grounds.”

I wonder how much is greed and how much is necessity, but yes, it should not be like this.

18th over: Sri Lanka 101-1 (Nissanka 56, Mendis 34) Nissanka raises Sri Lanka’s hundred with a shove into the leg-side, Atkinson hitting just back of a length And he’s around there for most of the over; I’d expect Woakes to be a little fuller, attacking the stumps. Sri Lanka need 118 runs to win.

“Come on Sri Lanka!” cries Ben Bernards. “Do it for our tired, our poor, our huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of cricket’s teeming shore. Stuff it up one of The Big Self-Serving 3!”

17th over: Sri Lanka 99-1 (Nissanka 54, Mendis 34) It’s Woakes from the other end and, as you’d expect, he’s on the money immediately. Nissanka narrowly avoids a leading edge, then softens hands just in time to guide the next delivery into the ground so it bounces in front of slip. A single into the on-side follows, and neither side will mind this start too much. Sri Lanka need 120 to win.

16th over: Sri Lanka 98-1 (Nissanka 53, Mendis 34) Atkinson’s loosener to Mendis is leg-side but he escapes with a dot, then again when he offers a short, wide one. The pitch is breaking up a bit … for all the difference it makes when a drivable delivery, the last of the over, is driven to the fence at long off. Sri Lanka need 121 runs to win.

Righto, Gus Atkinson has the ball and we’re ready. England need nine wickets, Sri Lanka need 125 runs.

Oof madone dept: *RA Smyth advises me there’s a new Sopranos doc on Sky and it’s glorious.

“You don ‘t need a two-stretch at law school to learn that £75-£85 for a few hours cricket on a miserable Monday is daylight robbery,” writes Showbizguru. “My seat to watch the Aussies in the T20 at Cardiff on Friday is £43.50. The greed is palpable.”

And why is that series even happening?

On Sky, they’re talking about England’s selection process. For mine, now that you ask, I remember Sachin Tendulkar making his India debut aged 17, and the accordant handwringing about how that kind of thing could never happen in England. The way I see it, there are now three routes to selection: excellence in county cricket, excellence in potential or a bit of both, and what’s important is the right kind of profile and the right kind of mentality. It seems to be working, as far as I can see.

“Re Gary’s mention of the bargain ticket prices available today,” writes Zach Nolan. “I’m a cricket fan, with the day off work, I live five minutes from the Oval, and yet even I’ve decided to stay at home and listen to TMS instead. Maybe there’s a commercial masterplan that we’re not supposed to understand, but it sometimes feels like they actively don’t want people to buy tickets. See you next summer!”

I guess the idea is that those who’ve paid full price would complain. But frankly, if they’re adults they should understand the difference between buying something in advance and walking up on the day to get what’s available, never mind trying to protect something that we all love.

Josh Hull and Gus Atkinson are, says Nass, taking fitness tests. If either or both aren’t at it this morning, that’s a massive boost for Sri Lanka – though, as it goes, my sense is that if England are to do this, it’ll be Chris Woakes and Olly Stone doing umch of the work.

Email! ““Fancy a seat at the Test today?” wonders Gary Naylor. “Should be a decent couple of hours or so? A walk-up at the ticket office is £75 for the alcohol-free stand and, if you want a drink (at £7.95 a pint), £85. Why not bring a friend?”

Goodness me. I actually did a day like this once that was one of the worst days of my life, because I knew I was starting a two-stretch at law school the one after. I didn’t cost that, though – on which point, why is it dearer to sit somewhere you’re more likely to spend even more?

On Sky, Nass is interviewing the excellent Jamie Smith who, asked about England’s use of reviews under Ollie Pope, notes that they’ve got three so deploy them speculatively. And he’s right, I think: if you’re missing calls that would’ve been overturned, either if you went upstairs but didn’t, or burned your opportunities so couldn’t, that’s a problem. But if not, not.

Sri Lanka should win from here. But it’s a grimy day in London – yes, there are other kinds – but an English attack in English conditions, stung by the prospect of defeat, probably won’t make it easy. The absence of Mark Wood is a problem for the hosts, but theirs is still a decent attack and each member of it will fancy themselves as today’s hero. A few early maidens or a few early wickets and this’ll get very nervy.

Preamble