England comfortable after closing day one of second Test against Sri Lanka on 310-6

Joe Root in action on day four of the first Test between South Africa and England on December 29, 2015
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England are in a comfortable position after reaching stumps on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka on 310-6 in Durham.

England ended day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street in a comfortable position on Friday, despite losing Jonny Bairstow inside the final six overs of the day.

The hosts reached stumps on 310-6, with Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes unbeaten on 28 and eight runs respectively.

Alastair Cook has been hunting for a 10,000-run milestone since the South Africa series in January, but he will have to wait longer for the feat after he was taken out by Suranga Lakmal for just 15 runs, five short of the target.

The England captain faced 42 balls before he returned to the pavilion, and he was joined by Nick Compton, who hit just nine runs off 34 balls, before lunch.

Alex Hales and Joe Root guided the attack as England returned to the field on 83-2 after 31 overs, and the pair brought up 50 runs in 74 balls in their third-wicket partnership.

Both sealed half-centuries and proceeded towards hundreds, but they were denied - Hales was stopped on 83 runs by a great catch from Angelo Mathews, while Nuwan Pradeep sent Root packing on 80 runs.

The dismissal meant that Root, who is ranked number two in the ICC Test batting rankings, has now failed to convert seven of his eight Test half-centuries to hundreds.

James Vince added 35 runs off 59 balls before he was dismissed, but Bairstow led the attack until he was stopped in his tracks by Pradeep in the closing stages of play.

Bairstow returned to the pavilion two runs short of a half-century.

Chris Woakes of England grimaces in the field during day one of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 21, 2013
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