Sri Lanka Dig in After England Declaration

Supporters enjoying the game

Sri Lanka frustrate England after Bell century

ENGLAND V SRI LANKA
NPOWER TEST SERIES - MATCH THREE
SUNDAY 19 JUNE - DAY FOUR
THE ROSE BOWL

Match Summary: England lead Sri Lanka by 81 runs
Sri Lanka: 184 AO & 112 for 3
England: 377 for 7d

Having spent most of the first two sessions building on their overnight lead, England declared half an hour before tea, setting a target of 193. However the day did not go entirely according to plan for the hosts when the Sri Lankan batsmen resisted stubbornly to finish the day on 112 for 3.

Click here for a full scorecard

First session:

Nightwatchman Anderson started day four as Pietersen and Bell had finished day three, with consecutive fours off the first over. His cameo of 27, which included five boundaries, delighted the Rose Bowl crowd until he was caught behind off Welegedara in the 10th over of the day.

After that Bell and Morgan continued adding runs in a workmanlike manner, but one which felt pedestrian after the quick fire pace of yesterday afternoon. Nevertheless by lunch England had added 96 runs for the loss of a single wicket, extending their lead to 107 runs.

Second session:

After lunch England stepped up the pace, prompting speculation as to when they might declare. Sri Lanka took the new ball as soon as it was available, but it did nothing to stem the flow of runs. An hour into the session Bell became the first man to score both a one day international and a Test century at The Rose Bowl when he pushed a single off Lakmal towards deep square leg.

It was clear by the number of errors in the field that Sri Lanka were losing heart, which was hardly surprising the way that Morgan in particular was punishing their bowlers. But after using up a life when an lbw review went in his favour he was dismissed caught behind off Lakmal for 71. Morgan was rapidly followed by Prior with a two ball duck then Broad with a similarly round score. England immediately declared on 377 for 7, a lead of 193.

Tremlett was promoted to open the bowling alongside Anderson and had the best chance of the six over session when Paranavitana (9) gloved a ball just past Prior’s outstretched hand. Sri Lanka went in for tea on 14 for no wicket and with a great deal of batting to do to save the game.

Third session:

In complete contrast to the rest of the game, much of the evening session was Sri Lanka’s. England made an early breakthrough when Swann caught Paranavitana low in the slips off Anderson, although Tremlett was unlucky when Bell dropped Thirimanne on 13. He had to wait almost two hours to get his man (caught by Strauss for 38) and by that time Sri Lanka had put 86 runs on the board.

Much of the session was played under The Rose Bowl’s powerful floodlights but as the late evening sun came out England struck again when Broad had M Jayawardene caught behind after a 23 ball 6. Sri Lanka finished 81 runs behind with 7 wickets remaining, which set up an exciting final day’s play.

Catch up: