England vs Sri Lanka day four report: Alex Hales narrowly misses maiden Test century

Alex Hales fell six runs short of a maiden Test hundred as England’s hopes of victory in the final Test against Sri Lanka were dented by the weather at Lord’s.

Only 45 overs were possible on a rain-curtailed fourth day that ended with the tourists on 32 without loss chasing an unlikely 362 for victory.

Yet England, who had declared their second innings on 233 for seven, will still fancy their chances of completing a 3-0 series whitewash on the final day.

Whatever happens, though, Hales will rue the missed opportunity that saw him dismissed lbw on 94 by Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.

It was the third time the opener has failed to reach three figures in this series following scores of 83 and 86 in the first two Tests.

Hales, who had a disappointing debut Test series in South Africa last winter, had luck was on his side in this innings, too, when he was reprieved on 58 after being bowled by a Nuwan Pradeep delivery that was wrongly called as a no-ball by Australian umpire Rod Tucker.

Despite that break, though, his wait to become the first Englishman to score hundreds in all three forms of international cricket goes on.

“I had a bit of fortune with the no-ball so maybe my luck ran out,” said Hales.

“It’s frustrating but then again if someone offers you nearly 300 runs before the start of the series you’d take it especially after I had a lot of questions to answer after South Africa.”

Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford, who sought out match referee Andy Pycroft for clarification on the no-ball incident, said: “I guess it’s something the ICC must look at.

“With technology nowadays surely we can get a line-call right?”

Ford and Sri Lanka also courted controversy when they hung their national flag on the team balcony - a show of team unity that breached MCC rules and saw them asked to take it down by Lord’s authorities.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board president, Thilanga Sumathipala, said: “The management on tour is very sad about that decision and it will be reported to the ICC. “The flag is a symbol. It is a mark to say we are not happy with the decision. To show solidarity and fight back.”

This all happened after a frustrating start to the day that saw England forced to wait for their chance to add to their overnight lead of 237.

When play eventually started at 2.40pm, Hales, resuming on 41, reached his half-century before nightwatchman Steven Finn was trapped lbw by Eranga to leave England on 120 for five – a lead of 248.

Finn’s departure brought Alastair Cook to the crease, England’s captain coming in at No7 after recovering from the blow to his left knee he had sustained fielding on the third day.

And after England reached tea with a lead of 334, Cook put his foot down, unfurling two audacious scoop shots and smashing Eranga for a huge six – the first time he had cleared the ropes in a Test since England’s win against India in Kolkata in December 2012.

Cook was on 49 by the time the declaration came and it left Sri Lanka, facing a record run chase at Lord’s, 12 overs of the day to safely negotiate.

That they did will give them hope they can avoid defeat or perhaps even win. Yet England know they have every chance of finishing the job themselves.