Manchester (England), Aug 24 (AP) Kamindu Mendis hit the third century of his four-match Test career to help steer Sri Lanka to a lead of 169 over England by lunch on Day 4 of the opening Test, and into a winning position at Old Trafford.

The Sri Lankans were 291 for six on Saturday, with Mendis (101 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (62 not out) adding 87 runs either side of a 30-minute rain delay in the wicketless opening session.

Also Read | Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao, La Liga 2024-25 Free Live Streaming Online: How to Watch Spanish League Match Live Telecast on TV & Football Score Updates in IST?.

Mendis struck two centuries and 92 not out against Bangladesh in March and has continued that form at the start of the three-match series against the English, whose grip on the Test in Manchester has slipped after taking a lead of 122 runs after the first innings.

England was without Mark Wood on Saturday because of a thigh injury sustained late on Day 3 and the seam attack lacked a cutting edge without its most hostile fast bowler.

Also Read | Aston Villa vs Arsenal Premier League 2024-25 Free Live Streaming Online: How To Watch EPL Match Live Telecast on TV & Football Score Updates in IST?.

The partnership between Chandimal and Mendis moved onto 101 and a brief stoppage didn't perturb them because of a heavy downpour. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)