England tightened their grip on this test match on Day 3 despite a fantastic batting display from Sanath Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka resumed their innings on 56-0 but England struck within the first half hour's play. Kumar Sangakkara was late onto a Trueman bouncer and top edged a hook shot. The ball went straight up into the air for an easy catch by Len Hutton at mid wicket. 70 for 1 quickly became 77 for 2 as Syd Barnes got into the swing of things. He trapped Marvan Atapattu LBW for 3 and then bowled Mahela Jayawardene all ends up with a beauty that went back up the Lords slope. Barnes struck again just before lunch, having Karunaratne caught by Compton at short leg for 4. Sri Lanka went into lunch on 120 for 4, with Barnes ending a fabulous spell of bowling, taking 3 for 16 in 9 overs.
Jayasuriya was still at the crease though and he continued to bat magnificently. Arjuna Ranatunga was given out LBW to Derek Underwood for 22 with the score on 163 after a useful partnership of 48. Jayasuriya's 100 came up from 181 balls but it was far removed from the brutal assault on England's bowlers the evening before. He batted sensibly and would continue to do so for the rest of the day.
Ranatungas dismissal brought Chaminda Vaas to the crease. Vaas hung around and survived a few early chances to make a very valuable 52, contributing in a partnership of 140 with Jayasuriya. Vaas was eventually dismissed 4 overs before the close of play with the score on 303 as he was bowled trying to sweep Derek Underwood.
Sri Lanka closed the day on 310-6. Jaysuriya was 164 not out having faced 299 balls and hitting 16 fours and 3 sixes. The pitch is still playing quite well, but Sri Lanka need another 167 runs to avoid the follow on. They have a chance as long as Jayasuriya is there but England must still be big favourites with 2 days to go. Syd Barnes and the naggingly accurate Derek Underwood were the pick of Englands bowlers today. The weather forecast tomorrow is for overcast conditions with a chance of rain, so batting will likely be difficult all day, with Trueman, Anderson, Stokes and Hammond posing more of a threat.
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 310-6 (102 Ov)
ST Jayasuriya 164*, WPUJC Vaas 52, KC Sangakkara 33, SF Barnes 3-62, DL Underwood 2-43
England lead by 367 runs
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