Sri Lanka Fight Back After Sidebottom's Double Strike

Matt Prior and Ryan Sidebottom ensured that England won the first two sessions here. After reaching the unexpected heights of 351 they reduced Sri Lanka to 25 for two at tea. But the home side took the honours in the last session, finishing on 105 for two.

England resumed on 258 for five but their overnight ambitions of scoring in excess of 400 looked far-fetched once they had lost two quick wickets. Paul Collingwood, 49 on Sunday evening, did manage to reach his half-century but on 52 he was beaten by a big inswinger from Chaminda Vaas and hit in front of middle and off. England had added just 11 runs.

If that looked plumb, the lbw decision that went against Stuart Broad, who was making his Test debut, looked even plumber just three runs and three overs later. The delivery from Lasith Malinga that did for him appeared to be hitting the bottom of the middle stump and he looked a bitterly disappointed figure as he trudged back to the pavilion with just two runs to his name.

At 272 for seven it looked as though England might struggle to reach 300, but for the second time in as many innings Matt Prior produced a performance of real character. In Kandy, Prior had scored 63 to take England to within touching distance of a famous draw. Here he made 79 and, though he played more of his natural, attacking game, it was also an innings of responsibility with nothing but the tail to keep him company. He batted for three and a quarter hours and faced 130 balls, striking nine fours and driving through the covers with relish. One of his best shots was a cover drive off Vaas with which he brought up the 300.

In Ryan Sidebottom he found the partner he needed. Sidebottom batted for just under two hours for his 17 until he was eighth out at 346, edging to slip. There was no such rearguard action from Steve Harmison. He paddle-swept his first delivery to short fine-leg where Chamara Silva held a comfortable catch above his head. Prior, showing little faith in last man Monty Panesar, attempted to swipe Muttiah Muralitharan over midwicket but only succeed in skying to short midwicket where the bowler took the return catch to complete his 62nd five-wicket return in Test cricket.

Sidebottom struck twice early on as Sri Lanka began their reply, having first Upul Tharanga and then Kumar Sangakkara caught behind, before Michael Vandort dropped anchor for an unbeaten half-century to leave the match finely poised.