'England are favoured to take 10 wickets, but all three results are possible'
Monday 13 June 2016 10:18, UK
Michael Atherton says a fascinating fifth day's play is in prospect for the third Investec Test between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's with all three results still possible.
Sri Lanka are 32-0, requiring a further 330 to win after England declared on 233-7 on a rain-affected fourth day.
"History suggests that Lord's is not the hardest place in the world to bat on the fifth day," said Atherton. "So Sri Lanka could easily go for it.
"They have got the players who could do it, with the likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera.
"Plus, I have a lot of admiration for the two openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva for seeing off that tricky 12-over spell at the end of the day against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad - number one and three in the world.
"The pitch won't deteriorate that much, other than the odd ball that does something, either a bit of spin for Moeen Ali or one that keeps low. But it's not going to be a minefield.
"There are a lot of Test match grounds where you would struggle on day five; Colombo, or Chennai, but if they get a good start tomorrow, it's not out of their range.
"I still think it's the least likely option. England are more favoured to get the 10 wickets, but all three results are possible and if Sri Lanka bat exceptionally well, they have an outside chance."
