England vs Sri Lanka Day IV: Cook, Trott set up intriguing final day

Jonathan Trott and Alistair Cook composed contrasting half-centuries to guide England to a position of safety and set up an intriguing final day. With rain delaying start again, draw looks a most likely outcome, but the match is evenly poised, if either of England or Sri Lanka could grab the initiative in the first hour on the final day we could be in a thrilling finale at Lords.

Trott and Cook: Their century partnership strengthened England's position

Trott joined Cook in the very first over the England innings after Andrew Strauss’ drought continued being trapped in front by Welegedara. Whereas Cook carried on from where he left off in the first innings (falling an agonizing 4 runs short of a century), Trott took the attack to the Lanka bowlers. Despite scoring at a brisk pace Trott looked comfortable at the crease scoring freely on both sides of the wicket till he played all around a full delivery from Rangana Herath. That brought to the fore Kevin Pietersen and an hour of play where he would have to prove his credentials against his nemesis, Herath. Taking a cue from Alistair Cook’s book, Pietersen dug deep to ensure he is at the wicket the following morning, as he could be key should England decide to go hell-for-leather as they look to dethrone India atop the ICC Test Ratings. England finished the day with 149/2 with a lead of 156 runs.

Finn exults after removing Jayawardene

Earlier in the day, after the rain had ceased, English fast bowlers who came under vehement criticism for their performance on Day III , redeemed themselves as Finn removed the experienced Mahela Jayawardene for 49 and then Tremlett and Broad sent back Samaraweera and Maharoof respectively. Having lost 4 wickets for just 29 runs and still a good 77 runs behind, all Lankan hopes of a first innings lead had been wiped away. Just as England looked to tighten the screw, Rangana Herath and Prasanna Jayawardene launched a spirited counter-attack, each helping himself to an over boundary at Graeme Swann’s expense. Swann would have the final say however as Herath attempting to go over the top on one too many an occasion misread the flight and was stumped by Matt Prior. Finn who had replaced Ian Botham as the youngest Englishman to reach 50 test wickets en route to his 4-108 peppered the Lankan tail-enders with short-pitch stuff before Swann wrapped it all up thanks to a superb catch from Strauss to remove Dilhara Fernando.

Post Dilshan’s departure, the Emerald Islands’ batsmen managed a mere 107 runs losing 7 wickets in the process. With Pietersen at the crease overnight, England have the resources to go ballistic in the first session and then tease Sri Lanka with an achievable target. All is not lost for Sri Lanka though, but early wickets will be the key to their hopes of pulling off an unlikely victory. Once again rain could prove to be a dampener, but should the Rain Gods decide to be kind, we could see another exhilarating final day’s Test Cricket.