It was another exhilarating day's play at Lords with 373 runs scored and only 5 wickets taken.
Sri Lanka had an early breakthrough as Peter May nicked off to Chaminda Vaas. Kumar Sangakkara took an easy catch and England were 372 for 4. Kevin Pietersen came to the crease and immediately tried to impose himself. He had a few lucky misses but managed to settle quickly. A partnership of 40 developed quickly before Dennis Compton hit a lofted drive to Asantha De Mel at mid off.
Captain Ben Stokes came to the crease and immediately showed his intent with 2 big hits off the first 2 balls of his innings, the second being pulled into the crowd for 6. Stokes and Pietersen set off on the 2nd big partnership of Englands innings. They battered Sri Lankas attack, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. Pietersens 50 came from 59 balls, Stokes’s from just 50 and their 100 partnership in 113 balls. By lunch England had amassed 512 for 5 (152 runs in the session).
England looked to push on in the afternoon session. Stokes edged over the slips to take him to his 100 off just 116 balls. They reached 600 with 2 successive straight sixes from Stokes as he took on Sanath Jayasuriya. Kevin Pietersens 100 was almost pedestrian by comparison, coming in 154 balls as they reached their 200 partnership.
At the tea interval, England were 645 for 5 but were clearly eyeing a declaration of 700 given the state of the wicket. Pietersen edged Jayasuriya to slip for 131 just before the 2nd new ball was available, putting an end to a fantastic partnership of 236. Wicket keeper Alan Knott made 8 before he was out, caught in the slips to Lasith Malinga.
Stokes continued to push and was eventually out for 147, hitting a full blooded drive to Karunaratne at mid off. England declared on Stokes dismissal with a total of 677 for 8.
England may have been confident but they knew this was still a very good batting pitch. Sanath Jayasuriya confirmed that, cutting Fred Truemans first delivery of the innings for 6 over backward point. Trueman bowled fast and short but Jayasuriya kept coming at him and was winning the battle. Kumar Sangakkara was solid at the other end and by the close of play, Sri Lanka had reached 56 without loss from 12 overs.
Sri Lanka have started well but are a long way behind with a lot of time still left in the game.
England 1st Innings 677-8 (169.3 Ov)
WR Hammond 170, L Hutton 167, BA Stokes 147, KP Pietersen 131, SL Malinga 4-134, WPUJC Vaas 2-108
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 56-0 (12 Ov)
ST Jayasuriya 32*
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