**! England Vs Sri Lanka House!** - Page 3

SriLankans batted poorly!!! Except for Sangakkara n P Jayawaredene....
Sangakkara was awesome!!! Sad he got out on 92...he deserved a 100!!!! 😛

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First Test, Kandy (day four): Sri Lanka 188 & 351-3 (98 overs) v England 281

The brilliant Kumar Sangakkara hit his maiden Test century against England as Sri Lanka took a stranglehold on day four of the first Test in Kandy.

Sangakkara added 122 with captain Mahela Jayawardene as England toiled away, taking just one wicket in the two-and-a-half hour morning session.

Matthew Hoggard had Jayawardene caught by Matt Prior down the leg-side for 65 but Sri Lanka led by 199 at lunch.

Sangakkara was horribly dropped by Ian Bell at slip on 98 and England paid.

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606 after 0900 GMT

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Mark Mitchener' in the subject), text 81111 (start your message with the word "CRICKET") or use 606. Not all contributions can be used.

98th over - SL 351-3
A change of bowling as the Montster replaces Sidey. Hoggy update: An ECB apparatchik informs the TMS team that the Yorkshireman is off the field with a stiff and sore lower back. Bad times. Not much is going England's way here - the prisoners/ground staff are stood down from being on stand-by with the covers, as the sun returns. Sanga takes a single off the Montster, and Silva knocks one down to long leg for four. A single from the right-hander brings up 350 for the home side, and Sanga dabs a single to take the strike.

97th over - SL 344-3
The TV picture shows a number of monkeys watching play, including a parent monkey looking after a little monkey. Very cute. Sanga expertly guides Anderson through point for four, then scampers a single. A dog runs on the pitch - it's a different dog from the one which interrupted play on Saturday! He trots from square leg to long-off, and after he leaves the field, another Silva boundary brings up the fifty partnership. He then edges one past the solitary slip for another four as Radio 4 LW goes over to Yesterday in Parliament - but TMS continues on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and via the BBC Sport website for UK users.

96th over - SL 331-3
Sanga caresses a single through point off Sidey. Silva then prods forward and Sidey kicks the ball towards the stumps to prevent a sharp single. Silva pulls one from outside off-stump to the midwicket boundary for four - these two have already put on 43 for the fourth wicket. Silva fishes at one outside off-stump and curses himself for not using his feet.

"Just a reminder: Sangakkara: just about the best batsman in the world. Truffles. Monks, that sort of thing.
Tom in the TMS inbox [See yesterday's live text for the full truffle/monk explanation - MM]

95th over - SL 326-3
Does Sangakkara have a touch of the Tendulkars? Plays beautifully, then when he's within spitting distance of a century, plays a few nervous, silly shots? He then executes a lofted cover-drive for four off Anderson to reach his hundred, and lifts off his helmet in celebration. He has now scored centuries against all the other nine Test teams. A single extends Sri Lanka's lead to 333.

"As a baseball fan, I've often wondered who would win if the England cricket team had to play a good baseball team (definitely not the Astros given recent performances). I think England would be better at baseball than the baseball team would be at cricket. Bowling would confuse the hell out of the baseball team, while the English batsman would be able to cope reasonably well with a pitched ball. Oh, and could you mention that my friend Geraint is a coward for not taking the bet that the Yankees would beat the Red Sox next year, especially when I'm treating him to dinner for losing this year?"
Alex, Englefield Green, in the TMS inbox

94th over - SL 321-3
Sanga flashes outside off-stump, edges it straight to Ian Bell at slip - and despite getting both hands to it, the chance is put down! Unbelievable! I realise Bell isn't a specialist slip, but surely any international cricketer should take a chance like that? My colleague Oliver Brett says he has "seen 60-year-olds in village matches take those". As the "Mitchell and Webb" snooker commentators might say, "Oooh, that's a BAD miss". Sidey probably isn't too happy either. Sanga, reprieved, taps a single to midwicket to reach 99. Sidey digs in a bouncer which Silva ducks.

93rd over - SL 320-3
That's worrying - Hoggy is taken out of the attack and leaves the field. 13th man Owais Shah comes on to field, and Anderson takes up the attack. Sanga flays him through the covers to reach 95. He then rocks on to the back foot, Bopara gives chase and they run two. Sanga then goes down on one knee but misses. Surely he can't be nervous now, considering how fluently he's batted in this match? He then leg-glances a single to keep the strike and reach 98 not out - two short of a first Test hundred against England.

Those of you in the Ben Dirs fan club might like to read his first missive from Vegas, ahead of the Hatton-Mayweather fight, on the BBC Sport website.

92nd over - SL 312-3
The prisoners/ground staff (see earlier) are on stand-by as the clouds get heavier. Silva tickles Sidey for a single, and Sidey tests Sanga with a couple of bouncers. A single off the last ball takes the left-hander to 91.

91st over - SL 311-3
Hoggy needs seven wickets to become England's fifth highest Test wicket-taker of all time. But Silva is already looking comfortably as he straight-drives for four. Hoggy then beats the outside edge with one short of a length. Even though Sanga's in the nervous nineties, Silva pinches the strike again off the last ball.

"I wonder why Ravi hasn't been given a bowl. He's in the side as an all-rounder after all. And every so often he comes up with a really good wicket"
Miall from Essex (who went to SL in 2003 and WISHES he could be there now), in the TMS inbox
[Quite - if you're not going to bowl him, they might as well have picked Shah, who's a better player of spin - MM]

90th over - SL 306-3
Sidey continues from the far end. Sanga leg-glances and it trickles away very fine for four leg byes. That brings up 300 for the hosts. Sanga pushes a single to rotate the strike. Once more, Silva angles the bat as he plays into the covers but Bopara makes a smart stop. The next ball is short and wide, and Silva chops the ball between gully and cover point for four. He then pinches the strike with a single. 10 from the over.

89th over - SL 296-3
Aggers on TMS notices that the sky has filled in - we might get some rain this afternoon, and he thinks England won't be too unhappy if we do. The second new ball is taken, and Hoggy unsurprisingly gets first use of the new cherry. His first ball hits Silva quite high on his right thigh. Ouch. Silva steers a single past gully, and Sangakkara takes the umpteenth new guard of his innings. Just one slip and a gully for Sanga, who flicks the ball past square leg for a single where umpire Asad Rauf has to leap out of the way. Silva opens the face and runs a single as Monty misfields at cover. Sanga guides another single - four from the over.

0744: We're back in action. Sri Lanka lead by 199 at this stage.

"I was amazed at Ian Bell's opinion, at the close yesterday, that England were in a position of strength. I also read with amusement Matt Prior's statement that practice surfaces included a gravel bed, as if that in itself was preparation enough. It is time the players are asked to focus on their game without making shallow statements. It is encouraging that KP seems to have shut up of late. Prior would do well to consider that he is extremely fortunate to be there in the face of so many talented rivals, mainly thanks to his fairytale debut against a sub-standard Windies attack, and to the current coach. How many times are England going to squander a first-innings advantage or to escape defeat by a near miracle?"
Johann Abraham in the TMS inbox

"Absolute rubbish bowling by England, Murali took six wickets in 35 overs and England has bowled 86 overs for two wickets"
Shrivathsa in the TMS inbox

"Why do England persist with Anderson - he's as dangerous as a warm muffin"
Terry, Perth WA, in the TMS inbox

"I know some of your regular readers will be saddened to hear the news that my beloved fish Monty/Montina (as featured twice on the live commentary this summer) gulped her watery last and has passed onto fishy heaven. I feel bereft. I can only hope that the Montster takes a 5-fer sharpish in what would be a marvellous tribute to a much-loved pet"
Sarah, Canterbury, in the TMS inbox
[RIP the aquatic Montster - MM]

LUNCH INTERVAL

0706: Right, time for a snack. Do keep your e-mails and texts coming in, have a listen to the TMS discussions during the interval and I'll be back with you soon.

"That was a chastening morning for England"
Former Somerset and England off-spinner Vic Marks on TMS

88th over - SL 292-3
This should be the last over before lunch. As we expected, Sidey replaces Vaughan, but they still haven't taken the new ball - presumably saving it for after the interval. Sanga guides a single through the covers to take his score to 87. Silva is wearing a chain around his neck which appears to be gold rather than silver (or silva), and he's off the mark with an off-drive which sub fielder Swann stops just inside the boundary and they run three. That's lunch, ladies and gentlemen.

"In England's innings, you observed, in relation to Bell's dismissal, that the difference between good players and great players is that the latter do not play the type of shot that led to Bell being out. [I think it was Aggers that said that, not me - MM] It seems highly unlikely therefore that Sangakkara will chip one to the infield. When did England last have a player of whom the same could be said with such confidence?"
Ian, Barcelona, in the TMS inbox

87th over - SL 288-3
New batsman is the right-handed Chamara Silva. Vic Marks on TMS senses that Hoggy, who had a bit of a back twinge yesterday, is still bowling through a bit of pain. Silva shoulders arms to one that nips back off the seam and it just misses the off bail. Sidey warms up - will he get an over in before lunch? Silva sees off the rest of the over.

86.1 overs - WICKET - M Jayawardene c Prior b Hoggard 65 - SL 288-3
Change of bowling - Hoggy (still bowling with the old ball) replaces the Montster, Jayawardene tries to leg-glance one behind the stumps to Prior (who's standing up). And Jayawardene walks! Without even waiting for the umpire's verdict. A fine innings from the Sri Lankan skipper, and some good sportsmanship too.

86th over - SL 288-2
Vaughan gives it a bit more flight than Panesar, and Sanga guides him to midwicket for a single. Vaughan really looks as he could do with a haircut, as it's getting very long at the back. Jayawardene steers the ball to deep cover and trots through for a single, and these two are starting to take singles at will - they take one more apiece.

If you're just waking up in the UK and you're off to work, don't forget that even when you're away from your computer, you can still follow all the action here on BBC Sport on your mobile, PDA or other handheld device.

85th over - SL 284-2
Jayawardene turns Monty away for a single into the large open space in the midwicket area. Sanga takes a single to increase the lead to 191. "These two batsmen have turned this game into a mixture of chess and snooker, from the way they position the ball", says the ever-sporty Vic Marks on TMS.

"Far from being turned down, the stump microphone should be turned up... Listening to Prior's banter is far more entertaining than any of England's bowling so far this morning. Keep up the good work, Mark!"
J-L in Pordenone (Italy) in the TMS inbox

84th over - SL 282-2
Jayawardene turns Vaughan for a single, while the other Sri Lanka players read newspapers on their balcony. Sanga sees off the rest of the over - lunch in under 15 minutes.

83rd over - SL 281-2
Anderson's off, and the Montster has changed ends. He bowls over the wicket to Jayawardene, who again is happy to kick away anything that pitches outside leg stump. Jayawardene then gives himself some room and hoists a first-bounce four to long-off. He then takes a two to leg, and nudges a single to complete the over.

"I awake to a glorious day in Camps Bay, Cape Town, and can only imagine Murali's goggly eyes and cheeky chappy grin at the prospect of a significant lead, a dusty turning pitch and trembling England batsmen"
Swiss Tony, Cape Town, in the TMS inbox

82nd over - SL 274-2
They still don't take the new ball. The Montster is off, and Vaughan brings himself on for some off-spin. Jayawardene takes a single, and Vaughan gets one to turn against Sanga. He sees off the over, which yields just that one run. A Cricket Australia media release announces that spinner Stuart MacGill is to undergo hand surgery as he's been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

81st over - SL 273-2
Sanga flicks Anderson off his legs for three to Monty at long leg. That's the ninth century partnership between these two, and it's been quite even - Jayawardene has hit 52 and Sanga 50 from the 102 stand, with no extras. Jayawardene cuts just wide of backward point for a single. Prior stands up to the stumps. Another careful glance to the square-leg boundary by Sanga, and that's another expensive over by Anderson.

80th over - SL 265-2
This could well be the last over with the old ball. Jayawardene gives himself some room against the Montster, and reaches his 30th Test fifty with a late-cut single. The partnership is now worth 96. Sanga steers away a single, and Jayawardene yet again pads Monty away when it pitches outside leg-stump. He then works a two to Sidey at deep midwicket

79th over - SL 261-2
Matt Prior calls "come on Baby Elephant", possibly to Hoggy at mid-on, who winces. Aggers on TMS wishes Prior's stump microphone could be turned down, and threatens to do the same to summariser Angus Fraser's microphone. Anderson finds Jayawardene's edge and it goes first-bounce to Bell, the now solitary slip. The skipper dabs a comfortable single which takes him to 49.

78th over - SL 260-2
Panesar begins the seventh over of his spell - and his 25th of the innings, regularly switching between bowling over and round the wicket. Sanga advances down the track, Monty fields off his own bowling and hurls it back at the stumps as Sanga has to retreat into his crease. He reaches 75 with a single while Jayawardene, who is on 47, pads one away from outside leg stump. He pinches the strike with a single.

77th over - SL 258-2
CMJ wants Hoggard to bowl, so England can increase the pressure from both ends (like Sri Lanka did with Fernando and Murali yesterday morning). But it's still Anderson, who's bowling to Sanga with a 7-2 off-side field which only includes one slip. Cook makes a sprawling stop in the covers and they run one. Jayawardene prods a single, and Sanga then runs another quick one to Hoggy at mid-off. Some great running here from Sri Lanka - I think they know which England fielders they can take quick singles to. "Come on Jimmy boy" calls Prior from behind the stumps.

"Let's face it, cricket rules due to the fact you will see England either smash the ball around or fall apart! Both make nail biting sports"
Guy in London, via text on 81111

76th over - SL 255-2
While a Sri Lanka fan in the stands plays a wooden flute, the players are refreshed and Monty goes over the wicket to the right-handed Jayawardene. "What would Panesar give for a doosra?" ponders CMJ on TMS. Jayawardene is careful in defence as Monty gives it some air. He then tosses one up outside leg-stump which Jayawardene is happy to kick away. Four overs until the second new ball is available.

"Turning on TMS for some light relief I caught the initial line of 'He's a heroin addict'! I was just wondering if this is a first on TMS? If so I'm proud that I tuned in just in the nick of time for such an historic moment. Keep up the good work"
Matthew, Wrexham, in the TMS inbox
[This was when Simon Hughes was talking about the prisoner he spoke to - see 69th over - MM]

"Good to see the commentators paying attention, noticing that the captain had left the field. Mind those scorpions lads"
Pete Chapman in the TMS inbox

75th over - SL 255-2
Change of bowling - Sidey is replaced by Anderson, and he takes some punishment from Jayawardene who guides him away for two before fiercely square-cutting for four. After he takes a single, we're treated to another superb Sangakkara cover-drive. If you have young children who want to learn how to play the game, they could do a lot worse than watch this man play. 11 off the over - another drinks break is taken.

74th over - SL 244-2
Monty comes round the wicket to the right-handed Jayawardene, who glances a single to take his score to 39. He's over the wicket to Sanga, who uses his feet well to beautifully cover-drive for four. Sanga takes another new guard as Monty goes back round the wicket - "it's a bit like a game of chess between these two", says Angus Fraser on TMS.

"Am taking a lot of flak from the Aussies after they destroyed the Sri Lankans, fortunately my boss is Dutch and doesn't get it at all. Still it's a quiet day at work and the text cricket fills the last couple of hours"
Andrew, Newcastle, NSW, in the TMS inbox
[Glad to be of service - MM]

73rd over - SL 239-2
Sanga digs out a yorker from Sidey, while Simon Hughes on TMS reads out a very flowery description of Murali's record-breaking wicket ball from yesterday, as written in the Sri Lanka local paper. Apparently it spun twice in the air (and wasn't just a straight ball) - by the sound of this correspondent, it changed direction more times than the "magic bullet" which killed JFK (as in the Oliver Stone/Kevin Costner film). Sanga trundles a two to full-time sub fielder Graeme Swann as the runs continue to flow.

"Baseball is popular in many Asian countires and in central America - not just the US and Japan. Not that it makes it any more exciting though"
Alan, expat in Japan, in the TMS inbox

"In sunny Brisbane waiting for a wicket, might start The Barmy Army Wicket song on me own! 'Everywhere we go...'"
John Evans in the TMS inbox

72nd over - SL 237-2
Sanga comes down the pitch to the Montster, and he fends one off into the air but it falls just clear of Cook at short leg. Single taken. Jayawardene pushes into the covers, Bopara whips in a throw and Sidey is unable to back it up cleanly as they run a second. Monty then has to pull up as shaggy-haired umpire Asad Rauf's collection of hats and sunglasses fall on the ground as Monty enters his delivery stride. Another Jayawardene single increases the lead to 143 - we still have just over an hour before lunch, this is a punishing session for England. Sanga then dabs a single to third man.

71st over - SL 232-2
Aggers notes that England bowling coach Ottis Gibson has an "enormous" smile, although he's not smiling at the moment as Sri Lanka lead by 139. Aggers is shown the scorecard from the England B match he was talking about, and is astonished that he batted at 11, even below Norman Gifford. The game has gone a bit quiet, and Sidey bowls a maiden to Jayawardene. Just one run from the last three overs.

70th over - SL 232-2
Owais Shah is on the field again, though the TMS boys can't work out who's gone off. Jayawardene takes a single off Panesar, and Aggers works out that Vaughan is off the field, possibly for a chat with coach Peter Moores.

69th over - SL 231-2
Sanga defends a maiden against Sidey, while Aggers on TMS reminisces about touring Sri Lanka with England B in 1986. The tour party only had one spinner, Nick Cook, so when they played on a spin-friendly pitch, Hampshire seamer Tim Tremlett had to try bowling off-spin, while they had to get clearance from Lord's for tour manager Norman Gifford, then aged 45, to play.

"I've just been talking to one of those prisoners who are helping the ground staff [see Day 3 live text]. They're from Kandy Open Prison, and one of them said he thought Jonathan Agnew was a fine bowler. He said if Sri Lanka get 350, he couldn't see any way back for England. They've nearly finished their sentences, this is their rehabilitation into society"
Simon Hughes on TMS

68th over - SL 231-2
Jayawardene square-cuts Monty for four to take his score to 34. England desperate for a breakthrough now.

"The exciting news from the Houston Astros is that they've just signed Kazuo Matsui on a three-year deal, he hit .288 last season and replaces the retiring Craig Biggio. That said, I only moved here a few months ago and have only watched one game, so can't really be considered a fan yet. All I know is that the Astros were rubbish this season and got beaten regularly by all & sundry. More in common with the England ODI side that you might have thought!"
Don, previously of Weymouth, now in Houston TX, in the TMS inbox [I was pleased with the Matsui deal, but with closer Brad Lidge traded away, I think the pitching staff is worryingly below-par at the moment - MM]

67th over - SL 227-2
Jayawardene carefully guides Sidey between second slip and gully for another four. How many runs will have to come through third man before England bother to put a fielder there? The skipper dabs a single into the covers to get them off double-Nelson (222). If David Shepherd is watching or listening at home, does he leap around in front of his radio? Sanga exquisitely flicks Sidey off his pads to fine leg for four.

"England didn't strike in the first six or seven overs when they needed to - and the batsmen look quite comfortable now"
Former Middlesex and Durham seamer Simon Hughes, aka "The Analyst", on TMS

66th over - SL 218-2
As Radio 4 LW listeners return from the shadowy world of the Shipping Forecast, Anderson's off and the Montster comes on, bowling over the wicket to the left-handed Sanga, who defends stoutly as Panesar tosses it into the rough. Sanga eventually steers one backward of point and they take two. The lead is now 125.

65th over - SL 216-2
That Jayawardene single in the last over also brought up the 50 stand - and in a remarkably equitable partnership, the two batsmen have scored 25 runs each. After the first couple of deliveries to Jayawardene, Sidey comes round the wicket but the home skipper executes a textbook defensive stroke. But after two balls round the wicket, he comes over the wicket as Jayawardene sees off the over.

"Early night last night was it? [Yes - MM] As for internal and external injuries, the best cricket injury (and by best, I mean most painful looking) I've seen was when our wickie came up for a full bunger in the face. He lost two teeth and lots of blood. He still came out to bat later on though. Are injuries of the mouth considered internal or external, I wonder"
Rick T, Dubai, in the TMS inbox

"Mark - I would like to take back my comment about the NFL as I have just seen the Ravens v Patriots game and it was rather good. However - give me a ticket to Trent Bridge or Lord's any day of the week!"
Andy in Nottingham, now slightly more enlightened, in the TMS inbox

64th over - SL 216-2
Monty has to wait his turn as Anderson continues with his sixth over of the morning, and Jayawardene profits from a slight misfield by Swann as they come back for a second run. Jimmy drops one in short and the skipper confidently hooks for four - the 10th boundary of the day, though to be fair, most of them have come off the edge. Jayawardene digs out a single and the rickety drinks trolley is brought on. Sri Lanka lead by 123. Time for England to regroup.

63rd over - SL 209-2
The Montster is warming up, it looks like he could be on next over. Sanga takes a fresh guard to Sidey, who hits him on the pad but it looked like it was going too high. Sanga is batting quite far outside his crease, and gets an inside edge which misses the leg stump by centimetres and shoots down to fine leg for four.

"Dear Andy in Nottingham, you've obviously forgotten that other great US sport on the World stage - Baseball. Oh sorry, only Japan plays that too"
Stefan, displaced Brit, in Austin, Texas (enjoying the late-night coverage while he works) in the TMS inbox
[Texas? Too much to hope for you to be a Houston Astros fan like me? MM]

62nd over - SL 205-2
A couple of England supporters in one of the stands are starting to decorate a rather bare-looking tree with some Christmas tinsel and baubles. Sanga flicks Anderson into the on-side and although they can only run a single, that's his 25th Test fifty. That's six successive scores of over 50 for him in Test cricket, and you begin to fear that if these two get their eye in, they could very well bat all day. Jayawardene dabs a four past the slips towards third man for four. Immensely frustrating for Anderson.

61st over - SL 200-2
First bowling change of the morning as Hoggy is replaced by Ryan Sidebottom, who looks to get a bit of reverse swing with his first ball. Curious how a ball can reverse-swing when it didn't swing normally at the beginning of the innings. Sanga tickles a single to third man to bring up the Sri Lanka 200 and take his score to 49.

"Can you please clarify how a broken finger can be considered an external injury?"
Christopher Crome in the TMS inbox
[It's all ICC regulations. It seems that an obvious, genuine injury like a broken bone is classed as external, while an otherwise invisible injury like a muscle pull is classed as internal. Presumably it's all to stop people pulling a fast one and claiming to have pulled a muscle to avoid having to field, then batting in their normal position - MM]

60th over - SL 199-2
Vic Marks on TMS describes Sanga's helmet as "unnecessarily wide-brimmed", and Jayawardene's as "more elegant". Anderson fires one in to Jayawardene which comes back a long way and just brushes his thigh (but not his bat or glove) as Prior makes a tumbling catch and they appeal, unsuccessfully, for a catch behind. Another good maiden for Anderson, but England still out of luck this morning.

"Mark, In waiting for the cricket to start I've had to watch American football - is there in the history of the world a more pointless and confusing game?"
Andy in Nottingham in the TMS inbox
[Don't let my BBC website colleague and NFL aficionado Martin Gough hear you talk like that - MM]

59th over - SL 199-2
Colly's back on the field, replacing Shah. Hoggy, who tries to conceal the ball as he runs in, tries a slower ball which Sanga spots early and guides through midwicket for four.

58th over - SL 195-2
Jayawardene takes a single, and just as well that Sanga quickly made his ground as Monty's throw hits the stumps at the striker's end. Sanga runs a single, and then Jayawardene nicks one which, agonisingly, bounces inches in front of the diving Prior behind the stumps as he leaps to his right, and another four ensues.

57th over - SL 189-2
Colly goes off the field, presumably after landing awkwardly off the first ball of the day. 13th man Owais Shah comes on to the field to replace him. Jayawardene avoids his "pair" with a handsome cover drive for four, before defending a good off-cutter. He works Hoggy to fine leg - and Monty is very square at long leg, and he can't prevent the four. Jayawardene takes a single to complete the over.

"Join you I will, bright (?) and early cos I'm three hours ahead of you. Bit cold here, walked me dawg and the hairs in my nose froze! So I guess it is now below minus 15. But I have comfort and warmth in knowing 'our boys' are gonna sweat today! The Hog needs to take some early wickets to keep us in. Bring back Mark Ealham! Or at least someone like a 'Botham'. Whilst I'm here, why ain't there any Kent players picked? Ever! Is it 'coz we 'ave a tree in our garden?"
Cookie in Russia in the TMS inbox

56th over - SL 180-2
Sanga gets another slightly lucky edge, nicking it through the vacant third slip area for four. Colly at second slip moves a couple of yards to his left in a typical "closing-the-stable-door-after-the-horse-has-bolted " scenario. A much better shot from Sanga sees him cut for four through backward point, and a friendly policeman fields the ball just outside the rope before returning it to England. Sri Lanka now lead by 87.

"Good to be joining you from Wet Wales again, Mark. Doesn't Umpire Rauf know smoking afflicts eyesight? Hopefully in England's favour!"
Tom McGillicuddy, Aberystwyth, via text on 81111

55th over - SL 172-2
Jayawardene is still yet to score, driving to sub fielder Graeme Swann (who faces another full day's fielding in place of the injured Pietersen) at mid-on a couple of times. A second successive maiden for England.

Don't forget, on an early morning like this, I'll need your help - do get involved by texting 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word"), or e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" as the subject), or join the debate on 606 after 0900 GMT. How do you think the day will unfold?

54th over - SL 172-2
In a slightly surprising move, Anderson opens up at the other end (ahead of Sidebottom) - he did get a wicket yesterday, but not before he was carted for six fours in an over by Jayasuriya. It's a maiden as Sanga can't pierce the infield.

"If you want to see Anderson grumpy, you should have seen him on the second day of practice when he had back trouble. He was slogging everything in the nets and then knocked his stumps over when he nicked one"
Former Middlesex and England seam bowler Angus Fraser on TMS

"I spotted umpire Asad Rauf having a crafty fag this morning"
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on TMS

53rd over - SL 172-2
England nearly get Sangakkara first ball as he fences at one through the slips and it just evades the diving Paul Collingwood at a widish second slip. He feels his knee painfully and the England physio Kirk Russell is standing by on the boundary in case he needs treatment. Sanga nicks a quick single. Jayawardene's on a pair, and he drives straight to Monty P at extra cover. At the end of the over, Physio Kirk comes on to treat Colly, while he also offers Ian Bell a small white towel just bigger than a face flannel.

0428: England start with their usual "huddle". Aggers on TMS thinks it'll be a crucial first 30-45 minutes, and Matthew Hoggard is opening up.

0420: Morning all - it's nearly time for Day Four of the first Test. The match situation is this: Sri Lanka are 167-2 in their second innings. Effectively, they're 74-2 in a one-innings match, because England led by 93 on first innings. Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Mahela Jayawardene are at the crease.

Kevin Pietersen won't field in this innings because of a fractured bone in his finger - although he will bat in his usual position in England's second innings because the injury is an "external" one (rather than an "internal" one such as a muscle pull).

And it was all go yesterday - Muttiah Muralitharan set a new Test wicket-taking record, and Sanath Jayasuriya retired from Tests.

Sri Lanka v England 1st Test Kandy, 1-5 December 2007 Test Match Special podcast | Blog 606 debate | Mobile scorecards Scorecard As it happened Photos whichTab();

First Test, Kandy: Sri Lanka 188 & 442-8d beat England 281 & 261 by 88 runs

Muralitharan's treble strike in the final session was crucial

England fell to an agonising defeat as Sri Lanka secured an 88-run victory with only 25 minutes of play left in a dramatic first Test in Kandy.

The tourists slumped to 139-6 soon after lunch before Ian Bell (74) and Matt Prior (63) put on 109 in a stand that frustrated the hosts for 44 overs.

But Muttiah Muralitharan bowled both in consecutive overs after tea and quickly snapped up Ryan Sidebottom.

Lasith Malinga then wrapped up the win by dismissing Matthew Hoggard.

Muralitharan had been unable to add to his world record tally of 710 wickets until the final session and after tea it looked like Prior and Bell could hold out for a remarkable draw.

But Murali found it easier to spin the new ball, and Sri Lanka just had enough time to register the victory they needed to end a poor run of form and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Ian Bell's tremendous five-hour vigil was not quite enough

England, resuming on 9-1, appeared to be sliding irretrievably to defeat during the morning session on Wednesday.

Skipper Michael Vaughan was dismissed in the fourth over of the morning.

He came half-forward to a straight ball from the left-arm seam of Chaminda Vaas, and perhaps expecting the ball to swing into his pads only succeeded in edging to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Soon afterwards nightwatchman James Anderson saw the top of his off-stump clipped by a very fine Vaas delivery and the score was a miserable 27-3 with the victory target of 350 no longer a realistic proposition.

Kevin Pietersen did not seem troubled by a broken bone in his hand and hit two confident boundaries off successive balls from Dilhara Fernando.

But Fernando did not have to wait long for his revenge, and Pietersen failed to get enough bat on a ball that kept slightly low, inside-edging it onto his stumps.

Paul Collingwood was the most culpable of England's batsmen, driving Fernando loosely to short extra cover to make it 90-5.

606: DEBATE I was at Lord's in May when Bell and Prior batted together beautifully against the Windies Un-Bell-ievable

Ravi Bopara could have fallen immediately, but Sri Lanka had opted to have just one slip for Fernando and the edge went between him and the wicket-keeper.

The debutant found Sanath Jayasuriya's left-arm spin particularly hard to deal with, and umpire Asad Rauf upheld the second of two vociferous appeals for lbw - he was out for 34 soon after lunch.

Replays, however, suggested the batsman had been struck a centimetre or two outside off-stump.

That wicket appeared to have put the result of the match beyond doubt as England had only four wickets in hand with nearly fourn hours of cricket still to be played.

But Bell, registering his fourth consecutive half-century in as many Test innings, was playing with some ease and he finally found a willing partner in Prior.

Both batsmen played cautiously in the main, generally playing Murali off the back foot, but were confident enough to put away the half-volleys for four.

Michael Vaughan could only last until the fourth over on Monday

Prior survived a nasty bouncer from Fernando which hit him on the jaw, and a huge appeal for a catch at the wicket off Muralitharan.

The pair continued their remarkable partnership after tea, and when Chaminda Vaas failed to find any swing with the second new ball the draw suddenly looked the likeliest result.

But Muralitharan, so impotent for much of the day, finally gained the vital breakthrough by getting a delivery to defeat Prior's defences and hit the top of off-stump.

The wicket was not a complete disaster for England, but in Murali's subsequent over an exhausted Bell saw an off-break from round the wicket grip just enough to turn past his outside edge and hit the stumps.

Sidebottom and Hoggard batted diligently for a while, knowing that bad light would bring an early finish if they could only stay together for around 45 minutes.

But umpire Rauf gave his second erroneous lbw decision of the day - roundly castigated by Test Match Special's summariser Simon Hughes - when adjudging Sidebottom lbw to Muralitharan.

Replays clearly showed the batsman had got a massive inside edge.

The partnership between Hoggard, in agony with his bad back that looks certain to rule him out of the rest of the series, and Panesar was England's final hope.

But Malinga's yorker settled the argument once and for all.

i cnt believe this man
we so clda won the 1st test 😭
it was sooo close!!
im so upset we dint win
but im still behind em till the end
cummon england!! 😃