Vandort, Jayawardene combine to lift Lanka to 105/2

Earlier, offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan took his 62nd five-wicket haul as England was bowled out for 351 at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. Dropped on 15 by Alastair Cook at forward short-leg, the left-handed Vandort went on to reach his fourth Test half-century and hit five boundaries in 91 balls.

“I think somebody has to bat very badly to lose this match,” Muralitharan said. “I think it could be a draw, or someone should come and do something extraordinary (for a result). The wicket is playing very slow.”

Sri Lanka lost opener Upul Tharanga (10) with the total on 20, caught by wicketkeeper Matthew Prior off Sidebottom. The pair also combined for the prize wicket of Kumara Sangakkara for 1.

Resuming on 258-5, England lost Paul Collingwood (52) and rookie Stuart Broad (2) in the first session for 14 runs. Collingwood was out lbw to seam bowler Chaminda Vaas after adding three runs to his overnight score to leave England on 269-6.

His seventh half-century came off 96 balls and included seven fours. Three runs later, Broad lasted eight deliveries before falling lbw to Lasith Malinga.

Sidebottom and Prior put on 74 for the eighth wicket before Sidebottom was caught for 17 by Mahela Jayawardene off Muralitharan to leave England on 346-8.

Sidebottom faced 81 balls in giving valuable support to Prior, who lifted England after they had lost four wickets for 35 runs. Prior was out last for 79 when he spooned a return catch to Muralitharan. He had hit nine fours in 130 balls for his fourth half-century.

Muralitharan had the hosts’ best bowling figures with 5-116, while Malinga took 3-78.

Scoreboard

England 1st Innings (overnight: 258-5): P Collingwood lbw b Vaas 52, M Prior c & b Muralitharan 79, S Broad lbw b Malinga 2, R Sidebottom c Mahela Jayawardene b Muralitharan 17, S Harmison c Silva b Muralitharan 0, M Panesar not out 0

Extras: (8b, 2lb, 7nb) 17; Total: (all out, 126.2 overs) 351.

Fall of wickets: 1-133, 2-168, 3-171, 4-237, 5-237, 6-269, 7-272, 8-346, 9-350.

Bowling: Vaas 32-8-68-2, Malinga 24-3-78-3, Fernando 23-3-79-0, Muralitharan 47.2-9-116-5

Sri Lanka 1st Innings: M Vandort batting 50, U Tharanga c Prior b Sidebottom 10, K Sangakkara c Prior b Sidebottom 1, M Jayawardene batting 43

Extras: (1w) 1; Total: (2 wkts, 38 overs) 105

Fall of wicket: 1-20, 2-22

Bowling: Sidebottom 11-1-35-2, Broad 11-3-19-0, Harmison 10-2-23-0, Panesar 6-0-28-0