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England beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets
MANCHESTER, England: England beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets on the final day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Monday.
England win the series 2-0.
June 17, 2002 -
Arnold holds up England
MANCHESTER: Russel Arnold's unbeaten hundred was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's resistance as they fought hard to secure a draw in the third and final Test here at Old Trafford on Monday.
At tea on the fifth day Sri Lanka were 253 for four, six runs behind England's first innings 512 with Arnold 104 not out and Hashan Tillekeratne nine not out. Nevertheless England, 1-0 up in the campaign, remained on course for their first series win in five attempts.
And with the new available immediately after tea and Marvan Atapattu (suspected broken finger) unlikely to bat, England's chances of winning this match had not yet disappeared.
Arnold, promoted to open the innings in this match, batted in composed fashion but still scored quickly, his third Test hundred coming in 211 balls including 11 fours.
His one nervy moment came with the shot that took him to three figures when, driving uppishly at Andrew Flintoff, he saw Mark Butcher slip at mid-off as the ball lobbed up in the air. Veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva, in what seemed certain to be his final Test in England, played attractively for 40 before, hooking at fast bowler Alex Tudor, he was well caught by Michael Vaughan diving foward at deep backward square leg.
De Silva, 36, whose popularity with English cricket followers was enhanced by a season as Kent's overseas player in 1995, received a standing ovation as he walked back in.
Mahela Jayawardene (28) gave England their first second session wicket when, trying to run left-arm spinner Ashley Giles down to third man, he saw England captain Nasser Hussain take a sharp slip catch.
That left Sri Lanka on 170 for three, a deficit of 89. Jayawardene had earlier been involved in an unusual incident before lunch. He picked up a Flintoff delivery and was caught by Matthew Hoggard at deep backward square leg.
However, England had three rather than the permitted maximum of two fielders behind square on the leg side and umpire Dave Orchard called no-ball. England, as on Sunday, were still a bowler light with Somerset quick Andrew Caddick off the field with a left side strain.
In the first hour neither Arnold nor Kumar Sangakkara looked in serious danger of getting out, both left-handers defending securely before England received a lucky break.
Tudor, the pick of the attack in the first innings with four for 65, had Sangakkara lbw for 32 to leave Sri Lanka 110 for two with 89 overs still left. But replays suggested that Steve Bucknor, standing in a world record 67th Test as an umpire, had made a mistake with the ball pitching outside leg stump.
June 17, 2002 -
Arnold resists England with unbeaten 86
MANCHESTER, England: Russel Arnold hit his second half-century of the match to frustrate England's push for victory over Sri Lanka on the fifth and last day of the third and final test at Old Trafford on Monday.
Arnold followed his first innings of 62 with an unbeaten 86 as the touring team extended their overnight 63 for one to 205 for three midway through the second session.
Aravinda de Silva was 24 not out. Sri Lanka are following on 259 behind England, who are set to clinch their first test series win since a 2-1 success in Sri Lanka early in 2001. They lead the rubber 1-0.
Opener Arnold led his side's resistance initially with fellow left-hander Kumar Sangakkara as they increased their second wicket partnership to 66 in the first 75 minutes.
They looked untroubled against a combination of pace and spin but, with the total 110, Alex Tudor broke through by having Sangakkara lbw for 32. Mahela Jayawardene was soon into his stride, hitting the left-arm spin of Ashley Giles for six to mid-wicket, before he escaped being caught for 18 when the delivery was no-balled.
He was caught by Mathew Hoggard at deep square leg off Andrew Flintoff but South African umpire David Orchard
called no-ball because England had three fielders - instead of the permitted two - behind square on the leg side.
Jayawardene added 60 with Arnold either side of lunch before he followed one from Giles and was snapped up by England captain Nasser Hussain at first slip for 28.
With paceman Andy Caddick absent because of a strained left side, Hussain used his remaining four specialist bowlers in short spells on a pitch still playing well.
June 17, 2002 -
Arnold holds up England victory push
MANCHESTER, England: Russel Arnold hit his second half-century of the match to hold up England's push for victory over Sri Lanka on the fifth and last day of the third and final Test at Old Trafford on Monday.
Arnold followed his first innings of 62 with an unbeaten 66 as the touring team extended their overnight 63 for one to 151 for two at lunch. Mahela Jayawardene was 20 not out.
Sri Lanka are following on 259 behind England, who are set to clinch their first test series win since a 2-1 success in Sri Lanka early in 2001.
They lead the rubber 1-0. On a pitch still playing well, Arnold led his side's resistance, initially with Kumar Sangakkara as they increased their second-wicket partnership to 66 in the first 75 minutes.
They looked untroubled against a combination of pace and spin but, with the total 110, Alex Tudor broke through by having Sangakkara lbw for 32. Jayawardene was soon into his stride, hitting the left-arm spin of Ashley Giles for six to mid-wicket, before being caught off a no-ball when he was 18.
He was caught by Mathew Hoggard at deep square leg off Andrew Flintoff but South African umpire David Orchard
called no-ball because England had three fielders behind square on the leg side.
DAY
FOUR
June 16, 2002 - 1720 GMT
Sri Lanka 63-1 v England
MANCHESTER, England: Making a reply to England
first innings total of 512 all out, the Sri Lanka
had scored 253 & 63 for the loss of one wicket
at the draw of stumps on the fourth day of the
third and final Test against England at Old
Trafford on Sunday.
June 16, 2002 - 1705 GMT
Bad light stops play
MANCHESTER: Sri Lanka, following on, were 63 for one when bad light stopped play at 1627GMT on the fourth day of the third and final Test here at Old Trafford on Sunday.
That left them 196 runs behind England's first innings 512. Russel Arnold was 26 not out and Kumar Sangakkara nine
not out. England lead the series 1-0.
June 16, 2002 -
Sri Lanka bowled out and asked to follow on
MANCHESTER, England: England fast bowlers Alex Tudor and Matthew Hoggard forced Sri Lanka to follow on 259
behind on the fourth day of the third and final test at Old Trafford on Sunday.
With seamer Andy Caddick absent with a side strain, the rest of the attack rose to the occasion with Hoggard capturing three for 38 and Tudor taking four for 65. Sri Lanka were all out near the end of the second session for 253, five wickets going for 34 to wrap up the first innings.
Tea was then taken. Their problems were compounded because injured opener Marvan Atapattu was unable to
bat, having retired hurt for 10 late on the third day after being struck on the right hand by a delivery from Andrew Flintoff.
England, who were dismissed for 512 in their first innings, made early inroads during the morning session by capturing three wickets.
Mahela Jayawardene, who had been missed on 15 by Ashley Giles at deep square leg off Tudor, added just two more before he tried to pull the same bowler but succeeded only in giving him a return catch from a skyed drive. Kumar Sangakkara went shortly afterwards for 40, driving vigorously at Hoggard and edging to Graham Thorpe at first slip.
Flintoff then had a hand in the next two wickets either side of lunch. Firstly, he produced a short-pitched delivery that Aravinda de Silva, on 18, tried in vain to keep down but instead gave Nasser Hussain a tumbling catch at leg slip.
The Lancashire all-rounder then held a catch at deep mid-wicket to remove Hashan Tillekeratne (20) as he swept the left-arm spin of Giles. England took the second new ball at 221 for five which soon ended the innings as Hoggard cut down the tail with Tudor.
June 16, 2002 -
Sri Lanka look to Jayasuriya
MANCHESTER, England: Sri Lanka were willing Sanath Jayasuriya to play a true captain's innings as they battled to avoid the follow-on against England in the third and final Test here at Old Trafford on Sunday.
At lunch on the fourth day Sri Lanka, 1-0 down in the series, were 196 for four, still 117 runs shy of the follow-on mark of 313 after England piled up 512.
Jayasuriya was 21 not out and Hashan Tillekeratne seven not out with just the tail and opener Marvan Atapattu, who retired hurt Saturday with a finger injury, to come.
England, with fast bowler Andrew Caddick off the field and set to take no further part in this match because of a side strain, appeared to need every chance going to hand.
But after Sri Lanka resumed on 130 for one it seemed as if they had missed an opportunity to get rid of the
dangerous Mahela Jayawardene (15) cheaply.
He top-edged a hook off Alex Tudor only for Ashley Giles at deep backward square to drop the catch as he dived forward. Fortunately for England it was not an expensive miss. Jayawardene had added just two runs to his score when he went for another attacking shot against the Surrey paceman.
This time he got right underneath the ball and Tudor took the skied catch himself. That left Sri Lanka 142 for two in the fifth over of the day.
And they lost their third wicket just seven runs later. Yorkshire quick Matthew Hoggard's full-length delivery found the outside edge of left-hander Kumar Sangakkara's bat and first slip Graham Thorpe took the straightforward catch that saw the wicket-keeper dismissed for 40.
Aravinda de Silva and Jayasuriya, batting down the order at number six rather than in his normal opening slot, tried to dig in. Sri Lanka's two most experienced batsmen had put on 22 when they were separated by an inventive tactical ploy that left the tourists on 171 for four.
England captain Nasser Hussain had just stationed himself unusually close in at short backward square leg to fast bowler Andrew Flintoff.
Then, in front of his home crowd, Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff bowled a rising delivery at de Silva (18) who obligingly turned it round the corner where Hussain held a superb two-handed reflex catch.
DAY
THREE
June 15, 2002 -
Sri Lanka hit back after Atapattu injury
MANCHESTER, England: Sri Lanka fought back with a century opening stand against England after Marvan Atapattu retired hurt in an eventful climax to the third day of the third and final Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The touring team were 130 for one at the close in reply to England's 512 but, with only two days remaining, their chances are remote of preventing Nasser Hussain's men from clinching the series which they lead 1-0.
Opener Atapattu went off for an x-ray to his right index finger after being hit by a delivery from Andrew Flintoff with the total on 48. But Russel Arnold struck 62 from 77 balls to lift his side to 107 before the first wicket fell.
Alex Tudor made the breakthrough when left-hander Arnold, who struck 11 fours, got a top edge as he hooked and was caught by Michael Vaughan at long leg.
England also suffered an injury blow when seamer Andy Caddick strained a side after bowling three deliveries of his sixth over and had to leave the field. His fitness will be assessed on Sunday morning.
Alec Stewart stole the spotlight earlier by hitting four fours off consecutive balls to complete a stylish century. He was on 86 when he sped to his hundred with two pulls, a square cut and a straight drive off paceman Dilhara Fernando.
He went on to make 123 from 190 deliveries, hitting 17 fours. Wicketkeeper-batsman Stewart got back in the side for the current series because of injury to James Foster, who may yet oust the Surrey man before the end of the season.
"There is no more pressure on me than anyone else," Stewart said. "I have performed over 118 tests (equalling Graham Gooch's England record). If you don't perform you get left out. "(But) it was a good wicket for me. The ball comes on to the bat which suits my style of play."
Stewart held centre stage after resuming on 57 of England's overnight 377 for six. He carried the attack to the bowlers from the outset on a ground where he clearly enjoys batting because three of his last five Test hundreds have been at Old Trafford. Cutting, driving and pulling handsomely, he piled on the agony for the dispirited touring team, first in a stand of 39 with Alex Tudor and then by adding 102 with Ashley Giles in a record eighth wicket partnership for England against Sri Lanka.
Tudor edged to second slip after making 19, providing left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas with his 200th wicket in his 62nd Test. It was a rare moment of joy in the series for Vaas, who had taken just two wickets in the first two tests at a cost of 305 runs. With Giles proving a staunch ally by making his highest Test score of 45, Stewart surged to three figures from 146 deliveries. It was his 15th hundred in his 118th Test.
However, with the country gripped by the soccer World Cup, the majority of the crowd missed the landmark because they were watching England beat Denmark 3-0 in a match televised on a giant screen in one of the Old
Trafford car parks.
Stewart, an avid football fan, had a view of the screen between a gap in the stands and saw a few moments of the game between deliveries at the non-striker's end. "I managed to see the Michael Owen goal when it was replayed," he said.
June 15, 2002 -
Stewart puts Sri Lanka to the sword
MANCHESTER: Alec Stewart struck four fours off consecutive balls to complete a stylish century for England on the third day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Stewart was on 86 when he sped to his 15th Test hundred with two pulls, a square cut and
a straight drive off paceman Dilhara Fernando.
He went on to make 123 from 190 deliveries, hitting 17 fours. England were all out in their first innings for 512, having effectively batted Sri Lanka out of the match, and looked set to clinch the series in which they lead 1-0 after winning the second Test by an innings and 111 runs.
Sri Lanka were 30 without loss at tea, their new opening partnership of Marvan Atapattu (8 not out) and Russel Arnold (17 not out) having negotiated seven overs. Stewart held centre stage when England resumed at the overnight 377 for six after the start was delayed by an hour to allow damp patches on the outfield to dry following torrential rain on Friday evening. Beginning the day on 57, Stewart carried the attack to the bowlers from the outset.
He cut, drove and pulled handsomely on a ground where he clearly enjoys batting. Three of his last five Test
hundreds have been at Old Trafford. He piled on the agony for the dispirited touring team, first in a stand of 39 with Alex Tudor and then by adding 102 with Ashley Giles in a record eighth wicket partnership for England against Sri Lanka.
Tudor edged to second slip after making 19, providing left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas with his 200th wicket in
his 62nd Test. It was a rare moment of joy in the series for Vaas, who had taken just two wickets in the first two tests at a cost of 305 runs.
With Giles proving a staunch ally with his highest Test score of 45, Stewart surged to three figures from 146 deliveries. However, the majority of the crowd missed him reaching the landmark because they were watching England's World Cup soccer heroes beat Denmark 3-0 on a giant screen in one of the Old Trafford car parks.
Stewart was ninth out, one of Muttiah Muralitharan's three wickets for 137 in a 60-over stint, and by then England had scored 500 in three successive tests for the first time.
June 15, 2002 -
Stewart storms to century against Srik Lanka
MANCHESTER, England: Alec Stewart struck four consecutive fours to complete a stylish century for England on the third day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Stewart was on 86 when he sped to his 15th Test hundred with two pulls, a square cut and
a straight drive from successive balls by paceman Dilhara Fernando.
He reached three figures from 146 deliveries, hitting 16 fours. England were 487 for seven in the second session, with Stewart unbeaten on 113 and Ashley Giles 40 not out, his Test best.
They were effectively batting Sri Lanka out of the match, and looked set to clinch the series in which they lead 1-0. After resuming at the overnight 377 for six, England's only loss had been Alex Tudor, who provided left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas with his 200th wicket in his 62nd Test.
Tudor was caught off an outside edge by Russel Arnold at second slip for 19 in a curtailed morning session lasting an hour. Play began an hour after the scheduled start time because of damp areas in the outfield that were caused by torrential rain on Friday. Having put on 39 for the seventh wicket with Tudor, Stewart further frustrated the touring team by sharing an unfinished eighth wicket stand of 87 with Giles.
Stewart, who started the day on 57, pulled, cut and drove handsomely on a ground where he clearly enjoys batting at international level. Three of his last five Test hundreds have been at Old Trafford.
DAY
TWO
June 14, 2002 - 1720
GMT
England 377-6 v Sri Lanka
MANCHESTER, England: England were 377 for the loss of six wickets in their first innings at the close on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Friday.
June 14, 2002 - 1645
GMT
Bad light stops play
MANCHESTER, England: England were 377 for six when bad light stopped play at 1635GMT on the second day of the
third and final Test against Sri Lanka here at Old Trafford on Friday.
Alec Stewart was 57 not out and Alex Tudor six not out. England lead the series 1-0.
June 14, 2002 -
Butcher century lightens the gloom for England
MANCHESTER, England: Mark Butcher's hundred was the highlight of a rain-marred day in the Second Test between England and Sri Lanka here at Old Trafford on Friday.
At tea on the second day, England were well-placed at 339 for four with Butcher 119 not out and his Surrey
team-mate Alec Stewart 33 not out. But they could do nothing about the weather which meant only 13.2 overs
were possible in the day so far in a match Sri Lanka must win to level the series at 1-1.
Left-hander Butcher, 85 not out overnight, needed a further 23 balls to go to his fifth Test hundred, reaching the landmark with a leg-glanced four off left-arm quick Chaminda Vaas.
It was a chanceless innings from Butcher and came at the right time for a player who has been facing problems both on and off the pitch. As well as struggling with a knee injury, he also faces an England and Wales Cricket Board disciplinary hearing for newspaper comments about Ruchira Perera, the Sri Lankan seamer whose action was reported by the umpires following the drawn First Test at Lord's.
In all Butcher faced 189 balls including 14 fours for his maiden first-class hundred at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, at the other end, Stewart kept the scoreboard moving with some attractive strokes.
Wicket-keeper Stewart, 39, playing in an England record-equalling 118th Test, twice cover-drove off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to the boundary in the 80th over.
The new ball was then available and Sri Lanka took it immediately. Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, whose slower ball almost got through Butcher's defence when the batsman was on 93, worked up a lively pace.
And at the other end, Vaas also bowled the occasional testing delivery in the overcast conditions and was unlucky to see Butcher, aiming through midwicket, edge him past second slip for four.
June 14, 2002 -
Butcher hits his second century of Sri Lanka series
MANCHESTER, England: Mark Butcher completed a faultless hundred for England on the rain-hit second day of the third and final test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Friday.
The Surrey left-hander reached his second century of the series, and fifth in his 41st test, from 189 deliveries with his 14th four, following a rain-delayed start after lunch.
England had extended their overnight 273 for four to 339 for four after an hour's play, with Butcher unbeaten on 119 and Alec Stewart 33 not out, when more rain drove the players off.
Butcher, who resumed on 85, flicked left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas to fine leg for four to reach his hundred. He raised both arms in triumph and then embraced county team mate Stewart in mid-pitch.
Stewart, on seven overnight, batted positively as he and Butcher tried to make up for the loss of the pre-lunch session, reaching their half-century stand from 65 balls.
England, who lead 1-0, are seeking to clinch their first test series win since a 2-1 success in Sri Lanka in early 2001.
June 14, 2002 -
Play resumes in rain-hit Old Trafford Test
MANCHESTER, England: Play resumed after lunch on the rain-hit second day of the third and final Test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Friday.
Steady rain had prevented any play in the morning session. England, who lead 1-0 in the series, were 273 for four overnight, with Mark Butcher unbeaten on 85 and Alec Stewart seven not out.
June 14, 2002 -
Play set to start in Third Test
MANCHESTER, England: Play is due to start at 1300GMT on the second day of the third and final Test between
England and Sri Lanka here at Old Trafford on Friday.
Rain washed out the morning session but following an inspection at 1230GMT the umpires gave the go-ahead
provided there was no more bad weather.
Overnight, England were 273 for four after winning the toss. Mark Butcher was 85 not out and Alec Stewart seven not out. England lead the series 1-0.
June 14, 2002 -
Rain hits England v Sri Lanka 3rd Test
MANCHESTER, England: A delayed start is planned after lunch on the rain-hit second day of the third and final test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Friday.
When steady morning rain finally stopped, umpires Steve Bucknor of West Indies and South Africa's David Orchard made an inspection at 12.30 pm (1130 GMT) and decided to look at conditions again at 1.30 pm (1230 GMT) with a view to beginning play shortly afterwards.
England, who lead 1-0 in the series, were 273 for four overnight, with Mark Butcher unbeaten on 85 and Alec Stewart seven not out.
DAY
ONE
June 13, 2002 - 1715 GMT
England 273-4 v Sri Lanka
MANCHESTER, England: England were 273 for four wickets in their first innings at the close on the opening day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Thursday.
June 13, 2002 - 1435 GMT
Murali strikes but England press on
MANCHESTER, England: Muttiah Muralitharan made Sri Lanka's only breakthrough of the second session but could not stop England advancing to 215 for two at tea on the first day of the third Test here at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Mark Butcher was 69 not out from 120 balls including 11 fours while England captain Nasser Hussain was 16 not out after winning the toss. On a ground where he took 35 wickets in four matches as Lancashire's overseas player, Murali eventually removed England dangerman Marcus Trescothick for 81 in a match his team must win to ensure a drawn 1-1 series.
The Somerset left-hander looked on course for back-to-back Test hundreds when Muralitharan had him well caught, low down at slip, by Mahela Jayawardene.Trescothick faced 152 balls including 14 fours and put on 126 for the second wicket with Butcher.
But he was dropped twice in two balls soon after lunch with England on 122 for one. Trescothick (64) cut fast
bowler Dilhara Fernando, playing his first Test of the series after recovering from a stress fracture of the back and Hashan Tillekeratne took off in the gully but failed to cling on to what would have been a brilliant two-handed catch.
Next ball Trescothick top-edged an intended pull but Eric Upashantha, also playing his first Test of the campaign, dropped the easiest of catches at short fine leg.
These escapes prompted greater caution from Trescothick, who faced 45 balls for his final 15 runs. Upashantha was called up because left-arm quick Nuwan Zoysa was suffering from a groin strain and Buddika Fernando was out with a knee injury.
That meant the only other seam bowler Sri Lanka had available was Ruchira Perera, whose suspect action was
reported to the International Cricket Council after the drawn First Test at Lord's. Upashantha had a poor start his Test career in England, his first four overs costing 24 runs after Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya gave him the new ball.
And some three-and-a-half hours later his fifth over went for 12 runs, Jayasuriya ending Upashantha's second spell there and then. In the morning Trescothick and Michael Vaughan made brisk progress, scoring at more than four an over before England lost their first wicket on 66.
In the 15th over, Vaughan (36) was deceived by a slower ball from Fernando that he could only chip straight to Chaminda Vaas at mid-off.
June 13, 2002 - 1230 GMT
Trescothick leads England advance
MANCHESTER, England: Marcus Trescothick's unbeaten 53 guided England to an impressive lunch score of 105 for
one against Sri Lanka on the first day of the Third Test here at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Trescothick had faced 79 balls including 10 fours with Mark Butcher 10 not out. England, without a series win in their last four attempts, lead this campaign 1-0 and maintained their advantage in the opening session.
Trescothick and Michael Vaughan made brisk progress, scoring at more than four an over, after England captain Nasser Hussain had won the toss and elected to bat.
But in the 15th over, Vaughan was undone by a slower ball from paceman Dilhara Fernando, recalled after a stress fracture of the back, that he could only chip straight to Chaminda Vaas at mid-off.
England were then 66 for one. Vaughan's 36 had come off 44 balls including five fours but the Yorkshire batsman, not for the first time, failed to convert an attractive start into a substantial score.
Early on the Sri Lankan bowlers struggled. Medium-pacer Eric Upashantha, the only other change from the team that lost the Second Test at Edgbaston by an innings and 111 runs, was selected for this match three years after making his debut.
Left-arm quick Nuwan Zoysa was suffering from a groin strain but Upashantha did not look to be a significant
improvement on dropped medium-pacer Buddika Fernando.
Given the new ball by Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya, Upashantha's first four overs went for 24 runs including five no-balls.
Even the introduction in the 10th over of off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, on a ground where he took 35 wickets in four matches as Lancashire's overseas player, failed to check England's progress.
Murali, the youngest and quickest bowler to 400 Test wickets, saw his first ball confidently flicked by Vaughan through midwicket for four and a third-ball full toss on-driven to the boundary.
However Murali, who took five wickets in a marathon 64 overs on his return at Edgbaston while still carrying a shoulder injury, turned a couple of deliveries turned sharply past the outside-edge of left-hander Trescothick's bat.
Even so Muralitharan's initial three overs went for 22 runs but a lunch he had figures of 7-2-28-0.
And Fernando proved that not all the pace bowlers would be an easy touch when he surprised Second Test
centurion Trescothick with a short ball that hit the grille of the Somerset star's helmet.
June 13, 2002 - 1015 GMT
England elect to bat in final Test
MANCHESTER, England: England captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and opted to bat against Sri Lanka on the
opening day of the third and final test at Old Trafford on Thursday.
England, leading 1-0 in the series, named the side who won the second test at Edgbaston by an innings and 111
runs. Sri Lanka made two changes to their attack and revised the batting order in an attempt to provide more stability at the top of the order.
Captain Sanath Jayasuriya, with scores of 18, 8 and 12 in the first two tests, dropped himself from opener to number six, with Russel Arnold moving up to become Marvan Atapattu's first wicket partner.
The touring team brought in pace pair Dilhara Fernando, who has recovered from a stress fracture, and Eric Upashantha to replace Nuwan Zoysa and Buddika Fernando.
England: Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain (captain), Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart, Andrew Flintoff, Alex Tudor, Ashley Giles, Andy Caddick, Matthew Hoggard.
Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawadene, Aravinda de Silva, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekeratne, Chaminda Vaas, Eric Upashanta, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan.
Umpires: Steve Bucknor (WI) and David Orchard
(SA)
Match Referee: Gundappa Viswanath (Ind)
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