After an overnight storm that caused Manchester’s tram system problems in the morning came a third day that was no less eventful. Powered by Jamie Smith’s maiden Test century at the start, and ending with two precious Sri Lankan wickets in late sunshine, Ollie Pope was on track for a win in his first Test as England’s stand-in captain.
The tourists had reached stumps on 204 for six for a lead of only 82 but this tells little of the drama across the three extended sessions; drama that included Dinesh Chandimal going to hospital for X-rays on a suspected broken thumb and, once given the all clear, striding out before the close to offer his side a glimmer of hope.
