England moved a step closer to a first series whitewash in Sri Lanka after punishing their sloppy hosts on day three of the third Test in Colombo on Sunday.
The tourists fell to 39-4 early on, but Jos Buttler hit a calm 64 as England posted 230 to set Sri Lanka 327 to win.
The home side closed on 53-4, still needing another 274 runs, after Moeen Ali struck twice and Jack Leach and Ben Stokes claimed one wicket each.
England have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Unless Sri Lanka pull off an unlikely highest successful chase at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, England will win every Test in a series on the island for the first time in their history.
