Woakes defends Bairstow after dropped catch

Chris Woakes defended Jonny Bairstow after the England wicketkeeper-batsman dropped another catch of his bowling following his magnificent unbeaten century against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Friday.

Bairstow goes from strength to strength with the bat and made his highest Test score of 167 not out as England posted 416 all out on day two, with Woakes (66) scoring his maiden half-century in the longest format of the game.

Yorkshireman Bairstow has scored all three of his Test centuries this year, but doubts remain about his keeping after he failed to hold on to a simple chance to get rid of Dimuth Karunaratne from Woakes' first ball.

Karunaratne had 28 to his name at the time and added a further 22 runs before Bairstow held on to a more difficult chance off Steven Finn down the leg side to send the Sri Lanka opener on his way.

Bairstow twice failed to take catches for Woakes during the Test series victory in South Africa this year, but the Warwickshire all-rounder held no grudges after stumps were drawn with the tourists trailing by 254 on 162-1.

"At the time you're really frustrated when anyone drops a catch," said Woakes. "But with Jonny we know how much he is working on his keeping.

"I’ve never seen anyone work as hard. He is trying his best and that is all you can ask for from your team-mates.

"Rod Tucker always seems to be umpiring when it happens. He couldn't believe it and he thinks he is the curse! I don't think I’m an unlucky bowler, I feel like I'm doing the right things and the rewards will come."

Kaushal Silva followed up his half-century in a defeat at Chester-le-Street which gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead by reaching 79 not out at the close on a flat pitch.

The Sri Lanka opener believes the 475 which the tourists made in a losing cause in the second innings in Durham boosted morale ahead of the final match of the series.

"That innings has helped us a lot in terms of our confidence," he said.

"When the sun is out it's pretty much easy for us as well and the ball doesn't swing much - at the end of the day you still have to play really well, they've got a quality attack."