Sri Lanka's beleaguered cricketers enjoyed their best day so far of a dismal Test series against England as they extended the Second Test in Durham into as fourth day.

After they were bowled out limply early on day three for just 101, replaying to England's 498 for nine declared, the tourists fared much better in their second innings.

Skipper Angelo Mathews scored 80 and Kaushal Silva 60 as Sri Lanka reached 309 for five at the close - still 88 runs away from avoiding a second innings defeat in the series.

Sri Lankan opener Kaushal Silva enters the news conference

SOUNDBITE: (English) Kaushal Silva, Sri Lanka opener (on whether there were some 'harsh words' amongst the team last night that helped today):

"Not harsh words, it was just everyone knew what we are capable of. We just have to go there and implement ourselves. We haven't done extraordinarily well (today), but we've gone one step up. That is important so we have to just pick it up from here."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Kaushal Silva, Sri Lanka opener (on how Sri Lanka will approach day four):

"We have to bat really well tomorrow in the morning session. That will be very important. If our two batters right now can get us the 80 (runs) and then from there it will be plus (runs in the lead). So we have to think session by session and see how it goes and then give the bowlers an opportunity to do something."