Durham Test: Moeen Ali makes Sri Lanka pay

Moeen Ali scored a majestic century as England amassed an impressive first-innings total by lunch on Day Two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Durham.

The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 155, with England declaring at 498 for nine.

- Scorecard

It was the third highest individual effort at Chester-le-Street, following Ian Bell's unbeaten 162 against Bangladesh (2005) and Alastair Cook's 160 against the West Indies (2009). It was also the fourth best effort by a No.7 batsman for England in the longer format. 

Moeen's maiden Test hundred had also also come against the visiting Sri Lankans, in 2014. 

Ali, who passed 1,000 runs in Test cricket earlier on Saturday, was fortunate to survive on 36 when Dimuth Karunaratne put down a catchable chance off Nuwan Pradeep at gully.

With Chris Woakes also being dropped, this time by keeper Dinesh Chandimal off Shaminda Eronga on 12, Sri Lanka failed to reproduce their expert catching of the first morning.

They did eventually dismiss Woakes, who feathered a ball to substitute keeper Kusal Mendis off Suranga Lakmal, for 39 after a stand of 92 with Moeen.

Mendis also caught Stuart Broad for seven to give Pradeep his fourth wicket but England moved to a position of dominance thanks to Moeen.

The hosts won the first Test at Headingley (Leeds) by an innings and 88 runs.