Any hope of victory for England were suffered by an brilliant and determined first ever century by Sangakkara in England as he guided Sri Laka to an draw. He led from the front from the start of the start of the day the way he came out and the focus and application of how he batted was the most pleasing aspect for Sri Lanka. Samaraweera came in and gave great support and showed off his class.
The mode was set from the word go as the night watchman Herath and Sangakkara frustrated the England attack. They were watchful and played sensibly. England knew they had to get Herath out early in the day but he was still there with an hour into the first session. In fact it was enough time to see Sangakkara get to an well deserved 50 off 129 balls. The pair even went on to make an 50 partnership as the game was falling away for England. Swann was causing the most trouble for Herath and should have had him trapped LBW. The appeal was turned down and wasnt reviewed. 15 Minutes later he did get one to spin back to trap him LBW. England knew they had to get more wickets before lunch but Sangakkara and Samaraweera safely steered them to lunch and survived an 45 minute spell. The score was 226-4 With Sangakkara 89 NO and Samaraweera 26 NO as Sri Lanka were 33 ahead.
Even though the New Ball was taken an over after lunch England were not able to make an break through. Sangakkara and Samaraweera played really solidly and calmly. Even though Sangakkara wasnt scoring runs he looked calm and composed at the crease. Samaraweera was an bit more positive but also looked comfortable. That Patent was rewarded for Sangakkara as he made an deserved century He got it in 217 balls including 13 fours. It was his first in England and led really well from the front as the stand in captain. Samaraweera also got to his own milestone of 50 showing why he is an class player and got it in 72 balls including including 6 fours. The partnership went over an 100 and the game was virtually safe as long as they didnt have an massive collapse and the weather held. The partnership was broken in the end but the game had been made safe by them as Sangakkara went for an brilliant 119 off 249 balls including 16 fours. This was just before tea. Samaraweera and the wicket keeper Jayawardene safely took them to tea without any more wickets falling. Samaraweera was on his way to an century at 89 NO while Jayawardene was 6 NO at tea. The score was 334-5 and that became the end score as the promised rain came and forced an draw.
Sri Lanka got slowly better as the matches went on. They were never in control or ahead of any of the matches but were in the game in most and fought well. They will rue that crazy afternoon at Cardiff where the wickets fell all around them and will think they should never have lost that match but that was the difference between drawing the series and losing it. The rain had played an big factor in all the matches an lot of time in all matches were lost and maybe have got more interesting finishes to there test matches which ended an draw. But England will have to look forward to the ODIs against Sri Lanka and then the test series against India later this summer while Sri Lankan players will get ready for the ODIs and then go home to play the new Sri Lanka Cricket League which starts very soon. The ODI team for England will be announced tomorrow morning with Cook the new ODI captain and Broad the new 20/20 Captain.
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