ENGLAND are making slow progress as they attempt to wrap up a series win over Sri Lanka, with the tourists having reached 162-3 in their second innings at tea.

That still leaves them 235 runs adrift, having been dismissed in their first innings for just 101, but the hosts will almost certainly be required to return to Chester-le-Street tomorrow to wrap up what should still be a comfortable victory.

Kaushal Silva has spearheaded Sri Lanka's resistance, with the opener's unbeaten 57 representing his side's best score of the series.

Angelo Matthews is with him on 35, with Sri Lanka's fourth-wicket partnership currently worth 62.

Having removed Dimuth Karunaratne before lunch, England took just two wickets during the afternoon session.

The first came shortly after the lunch break, with Kusal Mendis (26) edging James Anderson to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

Moeen Ali claimed his first wicket of the game to reduce Sri Lanka to 100-3, producing a superb delivery that spun markedly to clip Lahiru Thirimanne's off stump.