Sri Lanka stare at successive innings defeats against England

Chester-le-Street: Sri Lanka was facing another innings loss and a hefty series defeat as it slumped to 91-8 in the second test on Saturday after England declared on 498-9, with Moeen Ali thumping a career-best 155 not out.

Ali took England into a commanding position on the second day with his second test century. Chris Woakes then claimed 3-9 on his recall to the England side, sparking another capitulation from Sri Lanka. The tourists were bowled out for 91 and 119 when England won the first test by an innings.

Ali hit 17 fours and two sixes as the lower order moved England toward 500 before the declaration came. Most of those runs came from Ali, who was the driving force in partnerships of 92 with Woakes and 72 with Steven Finn.

Brief scoes
England - 498 for 9 dec (Moeen 155*, Hales 83, Root 50, Pradeep 4-107)
Sri Lanka - 90 for 8 (Woakes 3-9, Broad 3-35)
Result - Sri Lanka trail by 407 runs