Sri Lanka draw final Test

England clinch three-match series 1-0.

SOUTHAMPTON:

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara's maiden Test hundred in England helped the tourists save the series finale at the Rose Bowl.

But a draw gave England a 1-0 win in the three-match series after an innings and 14-run win in the first Test in Cardiff was followed by a stalemate at Lord's.

Rain, which robbed the first Test staged at the Rose Bowl of 155 overs on the first three days, had the final say when a downpour during the tea interval on the fifth day brought the match to a premature close.

Sri Lanka were 334 for five in their second-innings in reply to England's first innings 377 for eight declared, a lead of 141, having lost just two wickets on the last day.

One of those was Sangakkara, out shortly before tea for 119 when the left-hander was sent back by fast-bowler James Anderson.

His exit ended a fifth-wicket stand of 141 with Thilan Samaraweera, who was left stranded on 87 not out.

Sangakkara had managed just 65 runs in five previous innings this series but, leading Sri Lanka in the absence of the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan, he showed his class with his 25th Test century.

Sri Lanka resumed the final day on 112 for three, 81 runs behind, with Sangakkara 44 not out and nightwatchman Rangana Herath unbeaten on two.

Herath was dismissed by off-spinner Swann after missing a sweep for a gutsy 36.

Sri Lanka reached lunch on 226 for four, with Sangakkara 89 not out and Samaraweera 26 not out.

By that stage the 33-year-old Sangakkara had surpassed his previous Test-best in England of 66 at Trent Bridge five years ago.

England remained third in the ICC Test rankings – they would have gone joint second if they'd won – behind leaders India, their next Test opponents, and South Africa.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2011.