Sri Lanka show patience as Test goes to final day

Cricket Test match: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene completed his 14th Test century and his second at Lord's yesterday to prolong the first Test against England into the final day. When bad light stopped play for the third and final time Sri Lanka, were 381 for six in their second innings after being asked to follow on, an overall lead of 22.

Jayawardene, who scored 61 out of Sri Lanka's first-innings 192 in reply to England's 551 for six declared, batted for more than six hours altogether for his 119 during an innings of monumental patience. Thanks to his efforts, some more sloppy fielding by England and two light breaks the tourists extended the Test into today's final day.

After starting the day on 183 for three, Jayawardene and night-watchman Farveez Maharoof extended their fourth-wicket partnership to 113 from 246 balls. Both players were given reprieves in the first session by the England slip fielders. After adding 25 to his overnight score of five, Maharoof was dropped by Paul Collingwood off Andrew Flintoff.

In the next over Matthew Hoggard caught the edge of Jayawardene's bat only for Andrew Strauss, also at third slip, to grass a simpler chance. Maharoof reached his second Test half-century after lunch when he hooked Liam Plunkett for six. He then slashed Sajid Mahmood through the off to the boundary then stood tall to play a fine drive off the back foot through the covers.

Mahmood got his revenge when Maharoof hit a delivery straight to cover fielder Kevin Pietersen. Thilan Samaraweera made only six before he was caught behind by Geraint Jones off the same bowler. Mahmood had taken two for five off 13 balls.

Jayawardene was rewarded for 308 minutes of application when he ran a risky single. The run took him to 99 but Mahmood's throw ran over the boundary for four.

Shortly afterward the umpires decided it was too dark to continue. Play was extended by an hour after the players left the field for 56 minutes, again for bad light. The break seemed to fire up Flintoff and the England captain charged in from the Pavilion End to strike Tillakaratne Dilshan a painful blow on the inner thigh. The next ball was edged just short of Strauss at second slip.

Flintoff then dismissed his opposite number. Jayawardene tried to take evasive action but the ball flew through to Jones.

Chamara Kapugedera was struck on the toe by Flintoff's first delivery but his foot was outside the off-stump and an England appeal was turned down.