Sri Lankan opener Marvan Atapattu scored an outstanding 201 not out to register his fourth double century in test cricket and steer Sri Lanka to a strong position on the second day of the first cricket test against England today.
Captain Sanath Jayasuriya declared the innings closed as soon as Atapattu completed the feat at 470 for five, with the hope of striking a psychological blow early in the England innings.
But openers Michael Atherton and Marcus Trescothick survived eight overs, which included four from off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, to take England to 27 for no loss by the close.
Muralitharan is seen as the danger man for England, having routed them when the two sides last met at the Oval in 1998, taking 16 wickets.
Atapattu proved to be the cornerstone on which the Sri Lanka innings was built on. His unflappable concentration took him to his sixth Test century, four of which he has converted into double centuries.
He was helped in a double century partnership by veteran Aravinda de Silva who scored his 19th Test century before being run out on 106.
After De Silva's departure, Mahela Jayawardene laid into the tired England bowling, flaying it for 61 runs and helping Atapattu add a further 111 for the fourth wicket.