England captain Joe Root says his 124 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele could be the best of his 15 Test centuries.

Root reached three figures on the third day of the second Test as his side made it to 324-9 at stumps – a lead of 278 over the hosts on a tricky surface.

The 27-year-old’s knock is the highest by an England captain in Sri Lanka.

“You have to enjoy good days because there are plenty when it doesn’t go your way,” Root, whose side lead 1-0 in the three-match series, told BBC Sport.

Asked if he felt the century was his best, Root said: “It’s hard to compare but it definitely feels like that at the moment.

“On a surface like that, where at times you can feel very vulnerable, it was very enjoyable.”

The ton is Root’s first away from home since replacing Alastair Cook as Test captain in February 2017.

‘Trust your own game’

After a frenetic start, Root played a bold innings, taking on the Sri Lanka spinners on a pitch that offered variable bounce.

He was well supported by the middle order, putting on 74 with Jos Buttler and 82 with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

“The strong message to the group going into today was ‘trust your own game’. If you want to take positive options, then go and do it,” Root said.

“The really pleasing thing is guys are really clear about where they want to score their runs and they weren’t afraid to go and maybe take some unconventional shots on to do it.”

Root’s side are searching for a first overseas Test series victory since 2016, and their first series win in Sri Lanka for 17 years.

Play was curtailed early by lightning and heavy rain, with the match set to begin early at 04:15 GMT on Saturday.

“It’ll be interesting to see how the pitch plays with this amount of rain tonight,” Root added.

“You don’t know how it will change the surface.”

‘Get that innings on DVD’ – analysis

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan on The Cricket Social:

What an innings that is from Joe Root. He played spin positively for over four hours of batting, with great foot movement, sweeps, creating angles.

If I was a coach, I would be getting that on a DVD and showing kids the way to play spin on a spinning wicket.

Root is easily up there with England’s top five ever in terms of being watchable.

It’s that time of the year again! Here are Oprah’s picks for the perfect holiday gift. Read more about the list here and shop all of the deals on Amazon here.

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable’s commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

The “How do you microwave a turkey?” prank is breaking our mothers’ hearts.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, young people are pranking their poor mothers by asking them for advice on one of the greatest sins against the holiday season: microwaved turkey.

Microwaving a turkey, by the way, is totally possible — Mashable tested it, and made a surprisingly good Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago. But to many mothers, who wield family recipes like a sword, microwaving a turkey is an abomination to tradition. 

Which is why people are poking fun at their moms by asking. 

“That’s all I ever wished for,” one mother lamented over text. “A kid who is famous for cooking a rubbery salmonella-ridden carcass in an idiot microwave.” 

Another was more blunt: “Don’t ever get married.”

When one person told their mother that they were assigned the turkey for their neighborhood friendsgiving, their mother did not hold back. 

“U should be in charge of napkins or something,” the mom ranted. “Clearly these friends don’t know you.”

Here are a few exasperated mothers’ responses to “How do you cook a turkey in the microwave?”

Though some mothers didn’t have time for the foolishness. 

Pro tip: Follow this handy step-by-step guide to actually cook a turkey in the microwave.

Seven years and five albums in, Little Mix are continuing to prove themselves models of empowerment and body positivity. Those themes run deep throughout the Brit girl group’s new album, LM5, and to celebrate their big release day on Friday (November 16), they debuted not one, but two stunning videos.

The first, “Strip,” was co-directed by photographer Rankin and features inspirational activists like Bryony Gordon and Nimco Ali, along with featured artist Sharaya J and the girls’ own family members. Fittingly, Jesy, Jade, Perrie, and Leigh-Anne “stripped” down for the black and white affair, covering their skin with nothing but derogatory words like “slutty,” “talentless,” and “ugly.” It’s a striking image, and their confident, liberating lyrics give it all the context you need: “Take off all my makeup ’cause I love what’s under it / Rub off all your words, don’t give a uh, I’m over it / Jiggle all this weight, yeah, you know I love all of this / Finally love me naked, sexiest when I’m confident.”

Upon releasing the video for “Strip,” Little Mix tweeted, “This is so special to us, from the amazing women we worked with, to the message of the song. It’s EVERYTHING we wanted LM5 to represent!”

Along with “Strip,” the group also debuted an eye-catching video for “More Than Words.” In it, featured artist Kamille basically becomes an honorary fifth member of the tribe, joining the girls as they belt the thundering power ballad against hazy backdrops that compliment the song’s glitchy vocal stylings. Don’t miss the stormy climax, during which they weather a wild rainstorm while proclaiming their undying devotion.

Little Mix’s very empowering, very poptastic LM5 is out now.

The Netherlands deservedly beat France in the Uefa Nations League to end the world champions’ 15-game unbeaten run and relegate Germany.

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum struck from close range after Hugo Lloris parried a Ryan Babel shot.

Lloris made a host of top saves to stop a thrashing – but Memphis Depay’s dinked penalty in injury time made sure of the win.

A Dutch draw in Germany on Monday would see them win the group.

That would take Ronald Koeman’s side into next June’s Nations League finals – at the expense of France, who had only needed a point in Rotterdam to seal top spot.

The winners of each group are also guaranteed a Euro 2020 play-off place if they fail to progress from qualification next year.

France can still win the group if the Germans, who will be in the Nations League second tier in 2020, beat the Dutch.

Elsewhere, Gibraltar’s Euro 2020 dream is almost certainly over after a 6-2 hammering by Armenia. The minnows led through teenager Tjay de Barr but Yura Movsisyan scored four times for the visitors.

Macedonia remain top of that group – and are 90 minutes away from the play-offs – thanks to a 2-0 win in Liechstenstein.

Wales’ promotion bid is over after a 2-1 defeat by Denmark – who win the group and a place in the 2020 top flight. That result relegates the Republic of Ireland.

Image: Pexels

One of the good things about shopping for a gamer on Black Friday: it’s really easy to find some stocking stuffers. This could include games, a basic headset, extra cables, or even a gift card.

One of the best stocking stuffers you can get in today’s connected world (specifically for a PS4 owner) is a PlayStation Plus membership. They’re cheaper than paying monthly and you won’t need to put in any credit card information. That may not sound like much, but at least you’ll rest easy knowing your kids aren’t racking up your credit card bill on V-Bucks.

SEE ALSO: Best gifts for gamers: What to get for the gamer in your life

If you want to cover them for a full year, Amazon has a 12-month membership to PlayStation Plus on sale for $39.99, which is $20 off the original $59.99 price and the lowest price Amazon has had it all year.

Considering the amount of games that require an online connection or where online multiplayer is the main hook, this is a necessity. Without it, you’ll lose out on what makes a game like Destiny 2 or FortNite worth it. (Not sure what that means? Your kid will.)

Beach House is a band from Baltimore that makes swirling, melty dream-pop perfect for a number of occasions including but certainly not limited to watching a sunset, contemplating the nature of existence, and lying on your floor. “Myth” is an all-timer. Kendrick Lamar sampled their drowsy, whimsical “Silver Soul” for “Money Trees” in 2012.

The Chainsmokers likely know all this. Their new single, “Beach House,” begins with Drew Taggart singing, “Woke up on the west side / Listening to Beach House, taking my time.” When the song hit on Friday (November 16), the duo tweeted that they were “listening to a lot of [B]each [H]ouse” when they made it.

These guys like Beach House, it would seem. “Beach House,” however, does not sound like Beach House. “Beach House” sounds like a prototypical Chainsmokers track, lyrically charged with sexual energy and complete with a big beat drop right after the hook. That same tweet revealed that Taggart and his partner, Alex Pall, “tried to get back to our roots on this with that classic OG Chainsmoker feel.”

And it’s true — “Beach House” is very festival-ready, like all the group’s biggest hits. Its breakdown resembles “Closer,” their juggernaut EDM-lite pop smash with Halsey that topped the Hot 100 chart for 12 weeks a few years ago. Genetically, it’s much airier than the chaotic “Sick Boy,” which is the right move for a song called “Beach House” that references the band Beach House.

It should be noted for posterity that Beach House have no comment on the song, as their reps told Pitchfork earlier today. You can listen to “Beach House” above, and then listen to Beach House’s cosmic latest album, 7, below.

Anya Shrubsole’s hat-trick took England a big step closer to the Women’s World T20 semi-finals as they thrashed South Africa by seven wickets in St Lucia.

It was only the second England T20 international hat-trick and Nat Sciver claimed 3-4 as South Africa were all out for 85, having chosen to bat.

England raced to 55-0 after eight overs and won with 35 balls remaining.

Victory for West Indies over Sri Lanka in the night match will ensure both they and England reach the last four.

If Sri Lanka were to cause an upset, England would need to avoid defeat in their final Group A match against the Windies on Saturday to go through with Australia and India, who meet on Saturday to decide who tops Group B.

Losing the toss, and then their one review in the second over – an lbw appeal against Lizelle Lee that would not have hit a second set of stumps – were about the only elements that did not go to plan in an assured England performance.

South Africa, who lost their last five wickets for just one run against West Indies, knew victory was essential to preserve their ambitions in the tournament.

But their innings never carried any momentum and it needed a Lee six to take them to a modest 24-1 after the powerplay.

The boundaries that had been brought in for previous matches when the St Lucian deluge left some damp areas around the edges, were restored to their customary distance of 65 yards after another dry, sunny and breezy day and South Africa failed to find them in the next eight overs.

Two wickets fell in the ninth over, including South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk, who marched back to the pavilion in despair before the replays after being run-out at the non-striker’s end after the slightest of deflections into the stumps from bowler Kirstie Gordon.

The powerfully-built Chloe Tryon struck two sixes in three balls but skied Sciver tamely to mid-off as the England all-rounder finished with a double wicket maiden and outstanding figures of 3-4 from four overs.

Shrubsole, who took the winning wicket for England at last year’s 50-over World Cup, then ended the innings in devastating fashion, with just four fours and four sixes scored by the South Africans in the 19.3 overs, which saw 74 dot balls.

With South Africa in disarray, England ensured there would be no way back for them and produced some positive strokeplay, reaching 50 from seven overs.

Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail had taken 3-12 against the West Indies but was hit for six fours as her three overs went for 32.

The purposeful Danni Wyatt passed 1,000 T20 international runs before she was bowled behind her legs with Van Niekerk’s first ball when the skipper belatedly brought herself into the attack for the eighth over.

Though wickets fell in both of the next two overs, captain Heather Knight joined Amy Jones with a partnership of 27 inside four overs to see their team to an important victory.

Image: apple

U.S. Cellular just got a nice head start on their Black Friday game, and we’re thinking it’s the perfect time to finally splurge on a new Apple device. Through Nov. 26, you can get $50 off the Apple AirPods with the purchase of any new iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

If you haven’t yet snatched up a pair of Apple AirPods, chances are you’ve been waiting for the right deal. (As cool and innovative as they are, their normal $159 price tag is still pretty hard to swallow for a pair of wireless earbuds.) 

What you’ve probably realized is: the deals aren’t usually that great. Generally speaking, you’ll be lucky if you catch them at $15 off. 

SEE ALSO: All the best Black Friday 2018 sales, right in one place

So when you have the chance to knock a solid $50 off those suckers? We say: do it. After all, the holidays are coming up and if you’re not in the market for a new phone, an iPad, or an Apple Watch yourself, we’re sure someone on your list wouldn’t mind them as a gift. (And let’s be real: you’re gonna be paying basically full price for most Apple products at any given time, so passing on this deal in hopes of getting a better deal on a new iPhone down the road may not pay off.)

Image: lili sams / Mashable

The hype behind the AirPods isn’t unwarranted. (Read our full review of them here.)These things are game changers when it comes to wireless listening. As soon as you pull them out of the charging case, they instantly turn on and connect to your iPhone or other Apple device via Bluetooth. Using optical sensors, they’ll start playing audio as soon as you put them in your ears and automatically pause when you take them out. Controlling the AirPods is as simple as a double tap, putting Siri at your command for whatever task you need, whether it’s changing the volume, song, making a call, or even getting directions.

Not to mention, they rock an impressive battery life of up to five hours of straight listening, with a charging case that’ll give you up to 24 extra hours. 

Still not sold on the AirPods? You can also opt to get $100 towards Beats Headphones instead. 

Take it from us: we know deals. And this is one that you won’t see very often. Save $50 on the Apple AirPods with purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch here. 

Black Friday 2018 deals by store

Black Friday 2018 deals by category