Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka Cricket

With the series still up for grabs, the final Test match was hosted at the Rose Bowl. Regular Sri Lankan captain Tillekeratne Dilshan missed the Test due to injury and the visitors were led by Kumar Sangakkara. They brought in Lahiru Thirimanne and Thissara Perera and stuck to the lone spinner in Herath. England won the toss and stuck the visitors in to bat. It was a great toss to win on a start stop day due to rain. Stuart Broad was given the new ball but was unimpressive in his opening spell. However, when Tremlett came on, he immediately claimed the wickets of Paranavitana and Jayawerdene while Thirimanne and Sangakkara were accounted for by the returning James Anderson. Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawerdene ensured there were no more setbacks as the visitors ended Day 1 on a wobbly 81-4.

Also Read: India Tour Of England 2011 – Complete Schedule

The weather played havoc once again on Day 2 as no play was possible before lunch but when play began, Tremlett took out Samaraweera, Perera and Herath quickly while in Fernando, Jayawerdene found an able ally as the pair added 41 important runs. But the day ended prematurely when Sri Lanka were 177-9, owing to bad light and rain. Day 3 saw Stuart Broad register in the wickets column as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 184. England began their innings on a wrong note when skipper Andrew Strauss fell again to Welegedera and fell cheaply, his tally being 27 runs from four outings. Lakmal got Trott playing at a wide one and at 14-2, England were in a bit of trouble. Enter Kevin Pietersen and stroked his third ball for a boundary straight past the bowler. He and the run machine Alastair Cook set about building a platform as Cook reached his 50 for the fourth time in four outings. Soon after, Cook was dismissed but the inform Ian Bell started off in fine fashion and looked impeccable. Pietersen lost his wicket near the close of play for a masterful 85 as England ended Day 3 at 195-4, 11 runs ahead.

England looked for quick runs on Day 4 to pile the pressure on Sri Lanka. Night watchman James Anderson, scored a quick fire 27 before Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell added 137, Bell reaching his second hundred in as many games before Morgan fell for 71. The quest for quick runs meant Prior and Broad sacrificed their wickets as England declared at 377-8, a lead of 193. Tremlett got the new ball this time but found stiff resistance from the Lankan batsmen. 49 overs in the Lankan second innings saw them crawl to 112-3 with still work to do on the final day.

The final day of the series saw night watchman Herath add 75 with captain Sangakkara as both teams seemed to go through the motions. Sangakkara got his first century on English soil as his 119 helped secure a draw. England were happy with their performance as they pushed Lanka to the brink once again in this Test match. So 1-0 was a result which came about due to the events on the last day of the first day at Cardiff and wasn’t a fair reflection on the difference between the teams. Tremlett picked up the man of the match while he shared the Man of the Series with keeper Prasanna Jayawerdene. England are now ready for India, a series win over them will guarantee the No. 1 Test spot.

Tags: 3rd Test, Cricket, England, Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka, Test Match