England nudged ahead of a spirited Sri Lanka on a truncated second day of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford.

Half-centuries from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith took the hosts to 259-6, an advantage of 23 runs, after rain delayed the beginning of the day and bad light brought an early close.
The home side had to work hard to keep Sri Lanka at bay. At one stage, England lost three wickets for 37 runs to be 67-3 before Brook added 58 with Joe Root and 62 with wicketkeeper Smith.

When Brook was bowled for 56 by Prabath Jayasuriya's ripping turner, England were five wickets down and still 49 behind Sri Lanka's 236.

But Smith, already so at home in Test cricket in only his fourth match, found support from Chris Woakes to push England into the lead.

They shared England's third half-century stand of the day before Woakes became another victim of the beguiling Jayasuriya.

Smith remained unbeaten on 72 when play was abandoned with 22 overs unused, while there is the threat of more bad weather across the final three days of the match.
(Agencies)