Root and Bairstow run riot

LONDON — England stars Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow warmed up for next week’s first Test against Sri Lanka in record-breaking style as they shattered a host of Yorkshire records in their triple-century stand against Surrey Monday. Root finished the second day of the County Championship fixture unbeaten on 190, while Bairstow scored 198 as the pair put on a fourth-wicket partnership of 372 to help First Division champions Yorkshire reach 486 for five at Headingley. Having joined forces at 45 for three early in the day’s play, it took only 67 overs of blistering stroke-play from Root and Bairstow to etch their names into the Yorkshire record books. Yorkshire’s highest stand against Surrey, George Hirst and Ted Wainwright’s 340 at The Oval in 1899, was the first milestone surpassed before they overtook Darren Lehmann and Michael Lumb’s 358, the all-time club best for the fourth wicket just 10 years ago. Eventually all but four of Yorkshire’s top partnerships under any category were all surpassed in a dazzling display that must be heartening for England when they return to Headingley to face Sri Lanka next Thursday. Elsewhere in the Championship, Brett D’Oliveira made another piece of history for his famous family as Worcestershire took control against Glamorgan in the Second Division. D’Oliveira hit 202 not out in Worcestershire’s total of 456 for six declared as he emulated his father Damien and grandfather Basil. The D’Oliveira trio are now the first grandfather, father and son to score first-class double centuries. The 24-year-old’s impressive innings came just days after he recorded his maiden Championship ton. Sri Lanka struggles Sri Lanka’s bowlers endured a miserable warm-up for next week’s first Test against England as they were put to the sword by Essex on the second day of their tour match Monday. Angelo Mathews’ team had already struggled with the bat after being dismissed for 254 as teenager Aaron Beard bagged four wickets on his first-class debut. And they fared no better with the ball as Jaik Mickleburgh, who scored 109, and Tom Westley, who hit 108, smashed the tourists to all corners of Chelmsford. Essex reached 412 for four declared after Ravi Bopara, 87 not out, and Dan Lawrence, 57 not out, took over the assault of the chastened Sri Lanka attack. To make matters worse, Sri Lanka then closed day two of the three-day match on 42 for two. Kaushal Silva fell lbw to Beard victim and then Kusal Mendis went to a late slip catch off Matt Dixon. A bowling attack described by Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya as the best in the world appeared some way short of that billing, with one more outing scheduled before the first Test at Headingley next week. Westley joined opener Mickleburgh at start of play, following the departure of nightwatchman Tom Moore the previous evening and the pair put on 132 in 35 overs for the third wicket. — Agencies