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Sri Lanka underwent a total personality change here at Trent Bridge on Sunday to bat themselves into a formidable position against England on the third day of the third and final Test.

The visitors ground their way to 286 for seven by the close, for an overall lead of 288, with two days remaining. England’s best fourth-innings total to win a test match at Trent Bridge came two years ago, when they made 284 for six.

Sri Lanka’s coach Tom Moody had challenged his batsmen to take their chance to level the series and they responded magnificently, even if it meant replacing their trademark lavish strokeplay with scratchy defence.

Kumar Sangakkara led the way with a faultless 66, captain Mahela Jayawardene added a watchful 45 and the 19-year-old Charmara Kapugedera, in only his second Test, sealed a perfect day for the tourists with a maiden unbeaten 50 not out.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar took three for 73 for England, who lead the series 1-0, after winning the second Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham by six wickets.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka won toss

Sri Lanka 1st inns 231

England 1st inns 229 (K P Pietersen 41, P D Collingwood 48)

Sri Lanka 2nd inns (overnight 45-1)

M G Vandort b Hoggard 5

W U Tharanga c Cook b Panesar 46

†K C Sangakkara c Trescothick b Flintoff 66

*D P M D Jayawardene c Jones b Plunkett 45

S T Jayasuriya lbw b Panesar 4

T M Dilshan c Jones b Hoggard 32

C K Kapugedera not out 50

M F Maharoof b Panesar 6

W P U J C Vaas not out 24

Extras (b1, lb3, nb4) 8

Total (7 wkts, 104 overs) 286

To bat: M Muralitharan, S L Malinga

Fall: 1-6, 2-100, 3-143, 4-148, 5-191, 6-223, 7-238

Bowling: Hoggard 19-4-51-2; Lewis 20-6-54-0; Flintoff 13-1-38-1 (2nb); Panesar 36-13-73-3; Plunkett 14-2-54-1 (2nb); Pietersen 2-0-12-0

Series: England leads 3-Test series 1-0

Test debut: Jon Lewis (England)

Umpires: D B Hair (Australia) and R E Koertzen (South Africa). TV umpire: P J Hartley. Match referee: A G Hurst (Australia)

Previous matches: May 11-15 1st Test Lord’s, match drawn. May 25-28 2nd Test Birmingham, England won by 6 wickets
Source:The News