Day 5: England, Sri Lanka share honours at Lord's
It was an anti-climax of sorts as Sri Lanka batted out two sessions on the last day at Lord’s. The hard-fought second test between England and Sri Lanka ended in a tame draw with the visitors 127 for three when the two captains decided that a result wasn’t possible.
Sri Lanka had lost Sangakkara in the post-lunch session and memories of Cardiff were revived as they lost Mahela Jayewardene early in the last session followed by Paranavitana who made a steady 44. Thilan Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayewardene kept the English bowlers at bay for about 11 overs to force Strauss into a draw.
England had declared their innings to set SL a daunting target of 343 or survive 58 overs on a surface that had something for the bowlers shortly before tea. Skipper Dilshan’s didn’t come out to bat due to thumb injury, instead Sangakkara partnered Paranavitana. The former captain did not last long and fell to Tremlett, although the bowler was lucky to get him, a short and wide delivery was smashed to Morgan at back-ward point. His replacement, Mahela Jayewardene was nearly run-out but survived till the break; Lanka still need 311 for an improbable victory or stay alive in an extended last session for a draw.
Earlier, the English batsmen came out with lot of intent after lunch, Alastair Cook notched up ton no. 18 and Ian Bell’s rapid fifty pushed the lead well past the psychological mark of 300. The batsmen pulled out every trick in the ODI bag- reverse sweeps, wild slogs, paddle sweeps etc. Cook and Bell shimmied down the track consistently to plunder Herath to all parts of the ground. The former followed his 96 in the first innings with a hundred that came through a glance down to fine leg boundary. As the batsmen tried to hit every ball out of the park, chances were created for the fielding side. However, they were sloppy, catches were spilled plus there was a missed stumping off Cook. There was an umpiring error as well, Billy Doctrove was probably misled by a subdued run-out appeal and didn’t refer it when reply’s showed that Cook was short of his ground. That did not cost much as the centurion was clean bowled for 106. Morgan and Prior tried to up the ante and lost their wickets in the process but Bell ensured the opposition had a mountain to climb in the chase.
That was in total contrast to the morning session when the England batsmen did not take any unnecessary risks. Cook starting the day on 61 immediately stamped his authority with a cut that sped into the point boundary. Conversely, Pietersen was a bit itchy early on but calmed down to help himself to a well made fifty. What really worked in his favour was that Lanka chose to open the proceedings with pace rather than the left arm spin of Rangana Herath. The KP of old was soon on display, a booming drive through the covers would please his fans.
Sri Lanka from the start were in the containment mode, although the pitch was offering some assistance to the spinners. Pietersen after making 72 was cleaned up by a ripper form Herath, the ball pitching outside leg stump got enough turn to beat KP’s tentative prod and take out the off-stump. It was a welcome knock for a batsman struggling for runs, albeit, the left arm spinner jinx continues.
The home batsmen looked in total control during both their innings but for SL it was their captain’s superb 193 in the first innings that saved his team. England still holds a 1-0 lead in the three match series.
Day 4 Bulletin on next page
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