Sri Lanka show fighting spirit before losing Karunaratne as England head for series-deciding win at Lord's

LONDON – England were on course for a series-deciding victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test match at Lord's on Sunday after taking the crucial wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne just before lunch on the fourth day.

Chasing a world record 483 to win at the home of cricket, the Sri Lankans reached the lunch break on 136-4 and needed 347 more runs.

With the score at 53-2, the tourists lost nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya (4), who dismissed Chris Woakes to second place, before a 55-run partnership between opener Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews provided some resistance to England.

Karunaratne reached the half-century mark for the 54th time in Tests before attempting to fend off a rising delivery from fast bowler Olly Wood and flicked the ball with his glove behind wicket-keeper Jamie Smith for 55 runs.

Mathews was not out on 34, alongside Dinesh Chandimal, who was unbeaten on 15.

England won the first Test in Manchester last week. The third and final match of the series begins on Friday at The Oval.

England, who have already beaten the West Indies 3-0 this summer, scored centuries in both innings through Joe Root in this Test.