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Butcher hits ton as England grind out draw
LONDON: Mark Butcher ground out 105 while England's top five batsmen all made half-centuries to complete a marathon fightback and salvage a draw from the first test against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Monday.
The home side, outclassed for most of the match and forced to follow on 280 runs behind, declared just before the close of the fifth day on 529 for five, 249 runs in credit, after batting for two days as the game petered out.
The Sri Lankans, who made 555 for eight declared in their first visit, reached 42 for one in the 13 overs left after being peppered with short deliveries by England's pace bowlers. Sri Lanka's hopes of a 10th test win in a row had slipped away during the final afternoon as the left-handed Butcher, who had looked in wretched form as he struggled to put bat to ball at the start, produced an innings memorable for grim determination rather than sparkling strokeplay.
The Surrey player, who remodelled his game 18 months ago in an attempt to revive a faltering career, reached his fourth test hundred after six and a half hours before running himself out moments later for 105, needlessly risking a third run to fine leg. Every England batsman, however, took advantage of a fine batting pitch and Sri Lanka's attack badly missing injured off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
"It could have been different with him," Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya said afterwards. "But I'm not disappointed about the end of our winning run as long as we are doing well. I'm happy." Sri Lanka had started another sunny day with hopes of forcing a win as England resumed a meagre 41 runs ahead with eight wickets standing.
But skipper Nasser Hussain set the tone with a cautious 68 in a 159-run stand for the third wicket with Butcher before falling lbw, perhaps unluckily, to left-arm seamer Ruchira Perera just before lunch, the ball appearing to pitch outside the leg stump.
Graham Thorpe replaced him and looked in little trouble against a labouring all-seam attack, making 65 before chipping Aravinda de Silva's occasional off-spin lazily to mid-on after a half-century partnership with John Crawley.
Crawley himself seemed set to make it a sixth half-century before he was left stranded on 41 not out after Hussain's decision to declare and let his bowlers have another morale-boosting crack at Sri Lanka's impressive
batting line-up.
The tactic worked to a limited extent as Marvan Atapattu, who made 185 in the first innings, was dismissed by Andy Caddick for seven, flicking a catch to Butcher at short midwicket.
England's earlier revival had been launched by openers Michael Vaughan -- whose entertaining 115 took two hours less than Butcher's effort -- and Marcus Trescothick (76).
For the home team, it was the first time since 1997 that they had scored more than 500 in an innings, a record to contrast with the Sri Lankans, who have passed that mark in the first innings in eight of their last 10 games. "I thought we showed some fight and pride," Hussian said.
"For three days we were poor while they played exceptionally Everybody has underestimated them. This game showed just how much hard work we have to do."
The tourists, meanwhile, were left hoping for Muralitharan's quick return. Since his debut 10 years ago, the team have failed to win any of the 12 games he has missed.
The leading bowler in the world and boasting 412 test wickets, he is hoping to overcome a left shoulder injury in time for the second match of the three-test series at Edgbaston starting on May 30. Sri Lanka were also left to mull over leading seamer Chaminda Vaas's poor match -- needing just four wickets for 200 test victims, he managed just one at a cost of 164 runs -- and perhaps the two key moments of the entire game, when Jayasuriya twice spilled Vaughan off simple chances near the start of his second innings.
England last drew a match after following on four years ago against South Africa at Old Trafford, although that was a much narrower escape with their last pair at the wicket.
May 20, 2002 - 1645 GMT
SL to chase 250 for victory
LONDON: England declared their second innings at 529 for the loss of five wickets after facing follow-on (275) in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 555 for the loss of eight wickets on the fifth and final day of the first Test at Lord's Cricket Ground on Monday, leaving a target of 250 for victory for the Sri Lankans.
May 20, 2002 - 1450 GMT
England 483-5 at tea
LONDON: England scored 483 for the loss of five wickets in their second innings at tea on the fifth and last day of the first Test at Lord's on Monday.
May 20, 2002 - 1315 GMT
England 392-3 v SL
LONDON: England scored 392 for the loss of three wickets in their second innings at lunch on the fifth and last day of the first Test at Lord's on Monday.
DAY
FOUR
May 19, 2002 - 1730 GMT
England 321-1 v Sri Lanka
LONDON: Making a reply to Sri Lanka first innings total of 555 for the loss of eight wickets, the England had scored 275 & 321 for the loss of two wicket at the draw of stumps on the fourth day of the first Test at Lord's on Sunday.
May 19, 2002 - GMT
Lucky Vaughan hits ton as England battle on
LONDON: Michael Vaughan completed his century as England moved on to 200 for one on the fourth afternoon of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday, leaving the home side needing 80 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Marcus Trescothick was controversially dismissed for 76 having batted three-and-a-half hours, before Vaughan reached three figures, his second Test hundred with Mark Butcher at the other end.
The hosts, fighting to save the first match of the three-Test series, experienced a mixture of outrageous good fortune and desperate bad luck against the all-conquering Sri Lankans at a sunny Lord's.
Vaughan was the benefactor as he was dropped twice off simple chances within the first 15 minutes by Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya after England had resumed on 53 without loss following their spineless first innings of
275 on Saturday.
The top scorer in the first innings with 64, Vaughan should have gone in seamer Buddika Fernando's first over of the day as he unleashed three off-side drives for four but also edged straight to Jayasuriya at first slip only for the ball to bounce out of his hands.
Vaughan, then on 28, was missed in almost identical fashion by the same fielder off a slow looping chance from strike bowler Nuwan Zoysa five runs later.
He regained his composure, however, moving to 99 with two extra-cover boundaries off Aravinda de Silva's occasional off-spin before raising both his arms in delight after scampering a single. He hit 15 fours in his century.
Trescothick, in contrast, received the bad luck following an opening stand of 168. After an innings full of typical punched drives and powerful cuts, he inside-edged Zoysa on to his pads, only to find umpire Daryl Harper raising his finger at the other end.
The left-hander's opening stand with Vaughan, however, was England's best for four years and a record for any wicket against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan seamer Ruchira Perera, meanwhile, who took three wickets in the first innings but whose whippy left-arm action came under media scrutiny, was withdrawn from the attack after conceding 13 runs off two overs.
Sri Lanka, ranked third in the world but without the injured Muttiah Muralitharan, are seeking their 10th Test win in a row. England have not won a series for a year.
May 19, 2002 - GMT
England openers exploit Jayasuriya slip-ups
LONDON: Openers Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick both scored half-centuries as England, granted two lives by Sanath Jayasuriya, reached 147 without loss at lunch on the fourth day of the first test against Sri
Lanka on Sunday, still needing another 133 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Vaughan was on 74 and Trescothick 66 as the pair put on a record opening stand for England against the Sri Lankans. Vaughan, however, should have been back in the pavilion long before, with the Sri Lanka captain the
culprit each time.
England had resumed on 53 for nought after being skittled for 275 on Saturday, with the sunny conditions and firm wicket yet again favouring the batsmen. But Vaughan, top scorer in the first innings with 64, should have gone in the first full over of the day.
Facing seamer Buddika Fernando, he unleashed three off-side drives for four but also edged straight to Jayasuriya at first slip only for the simple chance to be spilled.
Vaughan, then on 28, was missed in almost identical fashion by the same fielder off a slow looping chance off Nuwan Zoysa after adding five more runs. When Zoysa beat the same batsman outside the off stump soon after
he bowed his head and stared at the pitch in disgust.
Trescothick, though, responded by greeting new bowler Ruchira Perera with two boundaries, the second a powerful punch through mid-on which brought up both the 100 and the left-hander's own half-century.
Left-armer Perera, who took three wickets in the first innings, was quickly withdrawn after conceding 13 runs off two overs.
Sri Lanka, ranked third in the world, are seeking their 10th test win in a row. England have not won a series for a year.
With match-winning off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan out with injury, Jayasuriya stepped in shortly before the break but failed to break through with his left-arm spin.
May 19, 2002 - GMT
Jayasuriya blunders hand England first-test lifeline
LONDON: Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya handed England a double lifeline on the fourth day of the first test on Sunday as the home side continued their uphill battle to avoid an innings defeat.
Jayasuriya dropped two simple catches, both offered by Michael Vaughan, before the home team moved on to 90 without loss, still 190 runs behind, after the first hour.
England had resumed on 53 for nought after being skittled for 275 on Saturday in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings of 555 for eight declared.
The sunny conditions yet again favoured the batsman but Vaughan, England's top scorer in the first innings with 64, should have gone in the first full over of the day.
Facing seamer Buddika Fernando, he unleashed three off-side drives for four but also edged straight to Jayasuriya at first slip only for the chance to be spilled.
Vaughan, then on 28, was missed in almost identical fashion by the same fielder off a slow looping chance off Nuwan Zoysa after adding five more runs.
When Zoysa beat the same batsman outside the off stump soon after he bowed his head and stared at the pitch in disgust. Vaughan had moved on to 42, with the left-handed Marcus Trescothick on 43.
Sri Lanka, ranked third in the world, are seeking their 10th test win in a row. England have not won a series for a year.
DAY
THREE
May 18, 2002 - 1800 GMT
Sri Lanka on top against England
LONDON: England were 53 without loss in their second innings but still 227 behind Sri Lanka's first innings 555 for eight declared when bad light forced an early finish to the third day of the first Test here at Lord's on Saturday.
Marcus Trescothick was 31 not out and Michael Vaughan 20 not out after Sri Lanka's bowlers followed where their batsmen had led. Seamers Ruchira Perera, who received an official warning for running on the pitch, and Buddika Fernando took three wickets apiece as England were bowled out for 275, 81 short of the follow-on and 280 behind in total.
Recalled England batsman John Crawley admitted his team were in a tight spot. "We're right behind the eight ball. But there are still two days to go in this Test match and the game is still there to save.
"It would be good to do that ahead of the other two Tests in this series," added Crawley. He also explained that too many England batsmen had got out to 'in-between' shots.
"Some, myself included did get caught between defence and attack. But we didn't play anywhere near to our full potential although Sri Lanka bowled well," Crawley added.
Vaughan top-scored with 64 but England's supposedly deep batting order collapsed against a Sri Lanka attack without injured world-class off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. He is due to arrive in England later Saturday but is
not expected to recover from a shoulder problem in time for the Second Test at Edgbaston on May 30.
However, the Lankans, confounding critics who said they were a 'one-bowler team', showed that they could cope perfectly well without him. England, 211 for five at tea, lost their next wicket to the sixth ball after the interval.
Crawley, 30, playing his first Test in three years, pushed Buddika Fernando and set off for a non-existent single. But substitute fielder Upal Chandana swooped from cover-point and ran out Alec Stewart with a direct hit, the Surrey batsman so clearly beaten the decision was not referred to the third umpire.
"There was a slight hesitation," admitted Crawley. "We looked at each other and in that looking time came the chance of a run-out." England wicket-keeper Stewart, 37, recalled for this Test because of James Foster's broken arm, had gone for seven.
Stewart's exit brought Andrew Flintoff to the middle. But the all-rounder did not last long. On 12 he was caught by wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara off paceman Buddika Fernando and two balls later the same combination
dismissed Dominic Cork for nought.
England were now 237 for eight, having lost five wickets for 34 runs. Andrew Caddick briefly staunched the flow, putting on 30 with Crawley. But he was well caught by Sangakkara off Ruchira Perera for 13 and Crawley (31)
was tenth man out, also caught behind, to give Chaminda Vaas his first wicket of the innings.
Last man Matthew Hoggard finished nought not out. Before tea unheralded seamer Perera took two wickets in two balls. Perera, whose opening three overs went for 23 runs, first removed dangerman Vaughan, who on 64, top-edged a hook shot.
Nuwan Zoysa, well over 6ft and moving in from fine leg, took the catch despite having the diminutive Fernando, charging in from deep backward square, collide into him as he too went for the chance. Vaughan had faced 148 balls and hit nine boundaries in his four-hour stay at the crease.
And one ball later, 203 for four became 203 for five when Graham Thorpe was plumb lbw for 27. His Surrey team-mate Stewart survived the hat-trick ball with a straight driven three.
England captain Nasser Hussain had carried on from where he left off at lunch with some bold strokes. But on 57 he became Sangakkara's most spectacular dismissal of the innings.
Angling the ball down to third man, a shot that has often brought about his downfall, Hussain edged Zoysa and Sangakkara, diving across to his right in front of first slip, clung on with both gloves.
Together with Vaughan, Hussain put on 106 for the third wicket. Sri Lanka made their first breakthrough Saturday in the fifth over of the day after rain had delayed the start by 20 minutes.
Left-handed opener Mark Butcher had added just 10 runs to his overnight seven when he edged Fernando and was brilliantly caught by Mahela Jayawardene, diving to his right at third slip.
May 18, 2002 - 1645 GMT
Perera leaves England in danger of follow-on
LONDON: Left-arm swing bowler Ruchira Perera removed Michael Vaughan and Graham Thorpe with successive balls at Lord's on Saturday as England seemed certain to follow-on in the three-test opener.
Perera, who was hit out of the attack earlier in the day, removed opener Vaughan for 64 and lefthander Thorpe for 27 in his seventh over as the England innings plunged to 211 for five at tea.
The home side remained 145 runs adrift of the follow-on after the tourists had hit up a formidable 555 for eight declared after deciding to bat.
The two veteran batsmen _ John Crawley and Alec Stewart _ whose selection attracted heavy criticism, resumed on three and four runs respectively after surviving a nervous 20 minutes before the break.
Vaughan's patient, four-hour innings came to an abrupt end when a top edged hook was well taken by lanky Nuwan Zoysa as he collided with Buddhika Fernando in a moment of confusion.
The very next ball saw the demise of Thorpe, who played across a delivery and was trapped plumb in front after helping Vaughan add 54 runs for the fourth wicket in an hour.
But the day belonged to Nasser Hussain. The skipper counterattacked the loss of two cheap wickets for 43 runs with an attacking 57 with 11 boundaries in less than two hours. His initial attack during the 106-run stand with
Vaughan forced Perera, 2-40 in nine overs, out of the attack after just three overs conceding 23 runs.
Starting after lunch on 38, Hussain raced to his half century off 51 balls while Vaughan was forced to watch without adding to his 45 at the break. It looked as if a big stand was developing but Nuwan Zoysa struck 41
minutes into the session to give Sri Lanka the much needed breakthrough.
Hussain, who had managed a hundred and six fifties in his last 14 innings, edged the bowler to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, who took a tumbling in catch in front of first slip. Vaughan batted watchfully throughout his 148-ball knock and hit nine boundaries.
Resuming on 27 for one for the loss of opener Marcus Trescothick's wicket on the second evening, England lost Mark Butcher got 17 runs in the fifth over of the morning.
Butcher drove at a Buddhika Fernando delivery angled across the body and succeeded only in edging to Mahela Jayawardene, who took a brilliant reflex catch at third slip.
Until Vaughan and Hussain cut loose, the tourists had shown greater discipline compared to their English counterparts.
They reveled under cloud-covered skies extracting sideways movement for the first time in three days.
Opener Marvan Atapattu top scored with 185 to set up the Sri Lanka first innings while Jayawardene (107), Aravinda de Silva (88) and Russell Arnold (50) chipped in with valuable contributions.
May 18, 2002 - 1430 GMT
Hussain falls as England battle on
LONDON: England, fighting to save the first Test against Sri Lanka, lost skipper Nasser Hussain as they reached 165 for three midway through the third afternoon on Saturday.
Batting to salvage a draw after Sri Lanka's 555 for eight declared, Hussain made 57 during an enterprising 106-run stand with opener Michael Vaughan before he was caught behind to give left-arm pace bowler Nuwan Zoysa his
second wicket.
Hussain, profiting from attacking fields and refusing to retreat into his shell, had reached his half-century shortly after lunch, hammering seamer Buddika Fernando for 11 off his first over before glancing Zoysa for a single to reach the mark off 59 deliveries.
He hit 40 of those runs in boundaries and added another, a steer along the ground through gully off Zoysa, to bring up a 100 partnership rattled up at almost five runs an over before his two-hour stay ended. Vaughan, who had batted for an hour longer, reached his 50 shortly afterwards, having been joined by the left-handed Graham Thorpe.
Sri Lanka, seeking their 10th successive Test victory, found themselves on the receiving end for most of the morning after spending the first two days sending England fielders scurrying back and forth to the boundary boards in unseasonal sunshine.
Things looked to be going their way again early on Saturday, when light rain delayed the start and livened up the pitch while cloud cover offered early help for the swing bowlers.
Fernando duly took advantage as Mark Butcher, on 17, fenced at a short ball angled across him and edged to the diving Mahela Jayawardene in the gully.
That made it 43 for two but the Sri Lankan attack, missing off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, was unable to capitalise until Hussain's wicket.
Vaughan, who had provided the two shots of the morning, a classical extra-cover drive followed by a sweet pull for four off Zoysa, concentrated on studious defence after lunch as he added five runs in the first hour.
Sri Lanka came to England after whitewashing West Indies and Zimbabwe 3-0 and beating Pakistan in the Asian Cricket Championship final.
They have not won any of the 11 Tests missed by Muralitharan, however, since his debut in 1992. England have not won any of their last four series over the past year.
DAY
TWO
May 17, 2002 - 1750 GMT
England 27-1 v
SL
LONDON: Making a reply to Sri Lanka first innings total of 555 for the loss of eight wickets, the England had scored 27 for the loss of one wicket at the draw of stumps on the second day of the first Test on Friday.
May 17, 2002 -
Sri Lanka declare on 555-8
LONDON: Sri Lanka, fired by Marvan Atapattu's 185, declared on 555 for eight near the end of the second day of the first test against England on Friday.
The innings, however, lost all impetus after the home side's all-seam attack, hammered to all parts of Lord's for most of the first two days, took three wickets for 13 runs either side of tea.
Sri Lanka, ranked third in the world and seeking a 10th test win in a row, stuttered from 492 for four to 505 for seven and then crawled their way to the declaration, leaving their bowlers with a chance to attack England's top order before the close.
It was the eighth time in their last 10 tests that Sri Lanka have passed 500 in their first innings. England now face a long battle to avoid defeat, although a fine batting strip and the absence of Sri Lanka's injured off- spinner Muttiah Muralitharan suggest they could yet force a stalemate in the first match of the three-test series.
Atapattu, 133 overnight out of a total of 314 for three, added 52 more runs before, hurried by swing bowler Dominic Cork, he hooked the ball straight to Marcus Trescothick at fine leg to make it 407 for four just before lunch.
He fell just short of a sixth test double century after eight-and-a-quarter hours at the crease, during which he faced 351 balls and hit 96 in fours. Atapattu, who put on 206 with the scintillating Mahela Jayawardene for the third wicket on Thursday, added 146 for the fourth with Aravinda de Silva.
England, however, had themselves to blame as Andrew Flintoff spilled Atapattu on 163 off Matthew Hoggard as he dived across his captain from second slip before missing a head-high chance in the same position from de Silva, then on 43, off Andy Caddick.
Russel Arnold (50) and de Silva, on 88 and set to become the third century-maker of the innings, were then both dismissed with the score on 492, soon to be followed by Chaminda Vaas, giving Cork his third wicket and Trescothick his fourth catch of the innings.
May 17, 2002 - 1620 GMT
England break through as Lankans cross 500
LONDON: England's long-suffering bowlers hit back with three wickets but could not stop Sri Lanka, fired by
Marvan Atapattu's 185, powering past the 500-mark on the second day of the first Test on Friday.
The home side's all-seam attack, hammered to all parts of Lord's for most of the first two days, took three wickets for 13 runs either side of tea as Sri Lanka, seeking a 10th Test win in a row, stuttered from 492 for four to 505 for seven.
But the late effort could not stop a powerful batting line-up passing 500 in the first innings for the eighth time in their last 10 outings. With more than half the final session to play, they had reached 534 without further loss, with Hashan Tillekaratne, the last recognised batsman, at the crease.
England now face a long battle to avoid defeat, although a fine batting strip and the absence of Sri Lanka's injured off- spinner Muttiah Muralitharan suggest they could yet force a stalemate in the first match of the three-Test series.
If Thursday had served up Sri Lankan fireworks, Friday was all about attrition as an increasingly frustrated home team, their bowling short on variation, control and ideas, failed to break through.
They had to wait until a few minutes before lunch. Atapattu, 133 overnight out of a total of 314 for three, added 52 more runs before, hurried by swing bowler Dominic Cork, he hooked the ball straight to Marcus Trescothick at fine leg to make it 407 for four.
He fell just short of a sixth Test double century after
eight-and-a-quarter hours at the crease, during which he faced 351 balls and hit 96 in fours.
Atapattu, who put on 206 with the scintillating Mahela Jayawardene for the third wicket on Thursday, added 146 for the fourth with Aravinda de Silva as the home side compounded their problems by dropping both batsmen.
Skipper Nasser Hussain set the tone by dropping de Silva off an Andrew Flintoff no-ball. Flintoff then spilled Atapattu on 163 off Matthew Hoggard as he dived across his captain from second slip before missing a head-high chance in the same position from de Silva, then on 43, off Andy Caddick.
The approach of tea, however, saw Russel Arnold and de Silva, on 88 and set to become the third century-maker
of the innings, both dismissed without a run being added.
Arnold -- the only batsman in the top seven not to have made a Test double century -- reached his half-century before, next ball, top-edging a cut off Hoggard straight down Trescothick's throat at third man.
Veteran De Silva, only on the tour after shedding weight in the gym at his board's request and struggling for fluency, then gloved Cork behind down the leg side and Chaminda Vaas quickly prodded the same bowler to Trescothick in the slip cordon, giving Cork his third wicket and the fielder his fourth catch of the innings.
Tailender Nuwan Zoysa, however, put things back into perspective with two clubbed sixes off Hoggard. Moments later Cork limped off with a leg injury.
May 17, 2002 - 1350 GMT
De Silva takes over as Sri Lankan grind on
LONDON: Sri Lanka, fired by Marvan Atapattu's marathon 185, forged remorselessly on to 468 for four against a hapless England during the second afternoon of the first Test on Friday.
Aravinda de Silva was on 76 not out and looking well placed to become the third century-maker of the innings after Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene, who made 107 on the first day.
Russel Arnold, meanwhile, was on 38 not out after the pair had put on an unbroken 60 for the fifth wicket as the touring side kept up their challenge for a 10th Test win in a row.
Atapattu, 133 overnight, had added 52 more runs before, hurried by swing bowler Dominic Cork, he hooked the ball straight to Marcus Trescothick at fine leg to make it 407 for three just ahead of lunch.
The opener was the one wicket to fall during the day after adding 146 with de Silva as the home side, their all-seam attack already struggling desperately on a good batting wicket, compounded their problems by dropping both batsmen. Atapattu, anchoring the Sri Lankan innings as so often, had been seeking a sixth Test double century.
He batted for eight-and-a-quarter hours, facing 351 balls and hitting 24 fours. The touring side had resumed on 314 for three, Atapattu starting where he had left off by flicking Matthew Hoggard's opening ball to the square leg fence.
Hoggard was immediately replaced by Andrew Flintoff, but he fared little better. The big Lancashire all-rounder had been the victim as skipper Nasser Hussain dropped a snick from de Silva, then on 37, off his bowling, only for a no-ball to be called.
But Flintoff turned villain by proceeding to spill Atapattu on 163 off Hoggard as he dived across his captain from second slip, then missing de Silva head-high in the same position off Andy Caddick.
The touring side, ranked third in the world, have won their last nine Tests but arrived at Lord's without record-breaking off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan following a shoulder injury. England have not won a series for a year.
May 17, 2002 - 1250 GMT
Atapattu falls as Sri Lanka press on
LONDON: Marvan Atapattu fell just short of his sixth Test double hundred as Sri Lanka piled up an impregnable-looking 412 for four at lunch on the second day of the opening Test of three here at Lord's on Friday.
He had made 185 when he pulled Dominic Cork straight to Marcus Trescothick at fine leg to leave Sri Lanka on 407 for four when in sight of becoming only the tenth batsmen in history to make a Test double century at Lord's.
But Trescothick's catch was the only one England held onto in the session, several dropped chances costing them dear as Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva put on 146 in 52 overs.
At lunch de Silva was 62 not out and Russel Arnold one not out. Earlier de Silva had added 13 to his overnight score of 24 when he edged Flintoff to Nasser Hussain at first slip in the ninth over of the day.
But the England captain spilled the routine catch and then saw that Australian umpire Daryl Harper had called no-ball.
Then Atapattu, when he had made 163, nicked a Matthew Hoggard delivery. Flintoff, diving across from second slip, never got his hands round the ball when it looked as if it was going straight to Hussain.
Sri Lanka were then 364 for three and nine runs later it was de Silva's turn to be reprieved.
This time Andrew Caddick was the unlucky bowler, Flintoff failing to hold on to the difficult head-high catch. Sri Lanka had resumed on 314 for three and, regardless of England's errors, carried on from where they left off Thursday with some superb strokes.
To the first ball of the morning, Atapattu, 133 not out overnight, flicked Hoggard off his legs for four. Somerset fast bowler Caddick almost broke through when Atapattu's inside edge just stopped short of the stumps - a moment that summed up England's morning.
And three balls later after this near-dismissal, Atapattu reached 150 with a steered four through the slip cordon off Caddick. De Silva, who occasionally flirted with danger outside off-stump, but also produced some rasping backfoot strokes, reached his fifty off Caddick from 131 balls including seven fours.
However, England's four-man pace attack bowled with greater zest and accuracy than they had managed on Thursday, at one stage reeling off three successive maidens - a minor triumph in the circumstances. And their
improved performance was rewarded when Atapattu fell into the trap having faced 351 balls including 24 fours after more than eight hours of resolute strokeplay.
Sri Lanka have won their last nine Test and now, thanks to their batsmen, it seems that at the very least they will not lose this one.
DAY
ONE
May 16, 2002 - 1725 GMT
Sri Lanka 314-3 v England
LONDON: Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, were 314 for three wickets at the close on the first day of the first Test against England at Lord's on Thursday.
May 16, 2002 - 1645 GMT
Atapattu and Jayawardene hit centuries
LONDON: Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu and a hobbling Mahela Jayawardene made centuries against England on Thursday, adding 206 for the third wicket to take the total to 261 for three on the opening day of the first Test.
Opener Atapattu, playing the anchor role after the tourists won the toss, survived a couple of scares to make 108 not out, reaching three figures with a four to fine leg off Matthew Hoggard during the final session at Lord's.
The more colourful Jayawardene, forced to use a runner after being struck on the hip, was given one life before joining his team mate with a cut through cover off Andrew Flintoff.
He hit 17 fours, having batted three hours and 40 minutes and reaching 107 before chipping a tired shot off Flintoff straight to short midwicket.
The pair had looked in complete control against an increasingly laboured seam attack as the early movement through the air evaporated in the afternoon sunshine.
Jayawardene, with two previous centuries on tour, had his reprieve when on 87, glancing swing bowler Dominic Cork only for recalled wicketkeeper Alec Stewart to spill a leg-side chance.
But he deserved that fortune after batting the second half of his innings virtually on one leg after being cracked on the hip by a heavy delivery from Flintoff. Atapattu, a man known for concentration and long innings, also enjoyed some fortune.
He was on 46 when he chanced a sharp single, only surviving because of inconclusive television pictures as Michael Vaughan threw down the stumps from gully. Moments later, Atapattu reached 50 with a rare false shot off Cork which landed just short of second slip.
The rest of his innings, however, was one-way traffic. For skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, there had been no second chances. He had cruised to 18 before being run out risking a third on a throw from the boundary from Vaughan.
That made it 38 for one and 17 runs later wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, hesitating between a drive and a cut, edged Hoggard to Flintoff in the slips.
Both teams opted for seam although that decision was forced on Sri Lanka, on their first three-Test tour of England, by the absence of injured off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
The tourists, ranked third in the world, have won their last nine Tests. England have lost two and drawn two of their past four series.
May 16, 2002 - 1515 GMT
Atapattu and Jayawardene make England suffer
LONDON: Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene extended their third-wicket partnership to 162 as Sri Lanka piled up 217 for two at tea on the opening day of the third Test of three here at Lord's on Thursday.
England's bowlers were put to the sword on a sunny day, Atapattu 90 not out off 162 balls including 11 fours. Jayawardene, limping after being hit by Andrew Flintoff, was not far behind, unbeaten on 81 off 128 balls with 13
boundaries.
Sri Lanka, 110 for two at lunch, had a scare four balls after the interval when Atapattu was nearly run out by Michael Vaughan's direct hit from point after Jayawardene had played the ball into the offside.
Vaughan had already combined with wicket-keeper Alec Stewart to send back Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya. But this time third umpire Jeremy Lloyds ruled in the tourists' favour.
England, fielding a four-man pace attack, may have regretted omitting left-arm spinner Ashley Giles from their side as Sri Lanka carried on at a run rate around four an over.
However, their progress was interrupted when Jayawardene, on 47, missed an attempted pull off Flintoff from the first around the wicket delivery sent down by the Lancashire all-rounder. Jayawardene appeared to further injure
himself, this time in the groin area, when he pulled Flintoff for four to bring up his fifty off 84 balls including nine boundaries.
The same stroke also brought up the century partnership between Atapattu and Jayawardene from 163 balls. But when he was on 57 Jayawardene called for a runner.
He still went for his shots, but one magnificent cover-drive off Caddick for four was followed by the sight of Jayawardene doubled up in pain.Meanwhile, Atapattu, who made five ducks in his first six Test innings but has since converted five of his nine Test centuries into double hundreds,
continued serenely.
England, reduced to the occasional optimistic lbw appeal, brought on part-time medium-pacer Mark Butcher in the hope of buying a wicket.
Their frontline bowlers had been on the backfoot soon after Jayasuriya had won the toss. Indeed it was the batsmen themselves who played a major role in the loss of Sri Lanka's first wicket with the score on 38. Atapattu cut Matthew Hoggard to deep point but Jayasuriya, coming back for the third, was beaten by Vaughan's throw to Stewart.
Left-hander Jayasuriya had made 18 and looked to be on the verge of top form in the eighth over. England's bowlers got in on the act six overs later.
Hoggard, who had been struggling with his run-up and frequently no-balled, produced a lifting delivery against Kumar Sangakkara.The wicket-keeper flashed outside his off-stump and Flintoff, at second slip, took a fine head-high catch. Sangakkara had gone for 10 and Sri Lanka were 55 for two.
This match marks the start of Sri Lanka's first full series in England where previously they have been restricted to one-off Tests.
May 16, 2002 - 1255 GMT
Atapattu anchors Sri Lanka
LONDON: Marvan Atapattu's unbeaten 46 guided Sri Lanka to 110 for two for at lunch on the first day of the first Test of three here at Lord's on Thursday.
In typically stylish fashion his runs had come from 77 balls including six fours. At the other end Mahela Jayawardene produced some textbook strokes of his own to be 26 not out from 48 balls including five fours.
England's four man pace-attack failed to unsettle the pair as they put on 50 in 74 balls. Together with Sri Lanka captain and fellow opener Sanath Jayasuriya, Atapattu got the innings off to a positive start after his skipper had won the toss and elected to bat.
Neither man looked seriously troubled by England's new ball bowlers Andrew Caddick and Matthew Hoggard. Instead it was the batsmen themselves who played a major role in the loss of Sri Lanka's first wicket with the score on 38.
Atapattu cut Hoggard to deep point. The batsmen took two runs but Jayasuriya, coming back for the third, was beaten by Michael Vaughan's throw which went straight into wicket-keeper Alec Stewart's gloves.
After adjudication by third umpire Jeremy Lloyds, Jayasuriya was correctly given run out for 18 in the eighth over. The left-hander had faced 25 balls, including three fours and was on the verge of moving into top gear.
England's bowlers got in on the act six overs later. Hoggard, who had been struggling with his run-up and frequently no-balled, produced a lifting delivery against Kumar Sangakkara.
The wicket-keeper flashed outside his off-stump and Andrew Flintoff, at second slip, took a fine head-high catch. Sangakkara had gone for 10 and Sri Lanka were 55 for two. Meanwhile Atapattu, who survived a confident lbw
shout from Dominic Cork, continued steadily with some stylish shots, notably a straight-drive off Caddick.
Derbyshire captain Cork also suffered at Atapattu's hands while Jayawardene employed the leg-glance to good effect against Caddick. This match marks the start of Sri Lanka's first full series in England where previously they
have been restricted to one-off Tests.
May 16, 2002 - 1015 GMT
Sri Lanka elect to bat
LONDON: Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya decided to bat first after winning the toss at the commencement of first Test against England at Lord's on Thursday.
England: Nasser Hussain (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, John Crawley, Alec Stewart (wicketkeeper), Andrew Flintoff, Dominic Cork, Andy Caddick, Matthew Hoggard.
Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara (wicketkeeper), Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne, Russel Arnold, Charita Buddika, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Ruchira Perera.
Umpires: Daryl Harper (Aus) and Srinivas Venkataraghavan (Ind)
Match Referee: Gundappa Viswanath (Ind)
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