Related Links : England in Sri Lanka 2007/08 : Scorecard
Sri Lankan top order has come up with the goods to give their side a promising start that threatens to take the game away from the visitors. The third day’s play was eventful with Muttiah Muralitharan rewriting history by becoming the highest wicket taker in Test Match Cricket after taking the wicket of Paul Collingwood in the morning session. That was wicket no. 710 for Murali which overtook Shane Warne’s record of 709 wickets.
England made a fight taking a handy 93 run-lead which was comfortably wiped off though by some good Sri Lankan batting. Paul Collingwood, who had resumed on his overnight score of 14 scored 31 more runs before he was cleaned up by Murali in the 89th over of the innings. The English tail didn’t quite wag as the innings came to an end in the 94th over. Ryan Sidebottom had contributed a useful 31 early on to figure in a 57-run stand with Collingwood for the 7th wicket which took England to 281. Murali was the destroyer with 6 for 55 after bowling 35 overs. Vaas chipped in with a couple of wickets while the other two pacers – Malinga and Fernando got a wicket apiece.
Sanath Jayasuriya confirms retirement after first Test
Sanath Jayasuriya, who had confirmed to the TV Broadcaster of this series about retiring from Test Cricket after this match scored a magnificent 78 in what was his last innings. Jayasuriya gave a pounding opening start of 113 in 33 overs with the resolute Michael Vandort, who made a hard working 49 (in 143 balls). Jayasuriya’s 78 had come in 106 balls with 10 fours and a six which took off whatever pressure that was on Sri Lanka after conceding a first innings lead of 93. Sri Lanka ended the second day’s play a strong 167 for 2 in 52 overs. Kumar Sangakkara is on 30 and Skipper Mahela Jayawardene is yet to get off the mark at the close of play.