CRICKET:ENGLAND must make the biggest fourth-innings chase in their history if they are to beat Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle.
Andrew Strauss’ side will resume on the fourth morning on 111 for two as they look to reel in an imposing target of 340.
England have chased down more than 300 on just three occasions, with a best of 332 against Australia in 1928, and they must defy the history books to better that here.
The largest last-innings score at Galle in 19 Tests is just 253, with the best chase a paltry 96.
But after losing both openers, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen put on 63 to raise the prospect of an unlikely success.
Win or lose, England will be disappointed by their failure to pocket Sri Lanka’s last two wickets earlier in the day, with Prasanna Jayawardene making 61 not out in late stands worth 40 and 47.
The tourists’ lowest ebb came when Stuart Broad had Jayawardene caught and bowled with the deficit at 293, only to be retrospectively no-balled.
Sri Lanka began 209 ahead at 84 for five.
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