- REUTERS
England's Matthew Hoggard (left) claims the wicket of Sri Lanka's Tillekeratne Dilshan as Alastair Cook (right) celebrates during the third day of the second Test in Birmingham yesterday.
BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters):
SRI LANKA fought back against England on the third day of the second Test at Edgbaston yesterday when rain allowed just 34 overs.
After Sri Lanka had slipped to 56-4 in their second innings on Friday, opener Michael Vandort (89 not out) and Tillekeratne Dilshan (59) put on 125 for the fifth wicket.
Sri Lanka were 194 for five at the close, 40 runs ahead and will be looking for a lead of at least 150 to stand a chance of a shock victory.
The Lankans salvaged an unlikely draw in the first Test at Lord's after following on.
Though the players were still going through their warm-ups just half an hour before the scheduled yesterday a lengthy downpour prevented any play until late in the afternoon.
Dilshan was England's only success in the day when Matthew Hoggard trapped him lbw four overs from the close. Hoggard has figures of 3-52 from 18 overs.
Despite a few deliveries from left-arm spinner Monty Panesar that turned sharply, England's attack was generally made to appear innocuous by the Sri Lankan duo.
An attempt by square leg fielder Alastair Cook to run out left-handed Vandort, who was safely in his ground, summed up England's evening.
Cook's powerful throw from 15 metres struck the stumps full on, but failed to dislodge the bails.
Vandort reached his half-century in 162 balls with a single off Panesar, a ball after slogging him over mid-on for four, hitting with the spin. It was a rare offensive stroke in what was a patient, gutsy innings.
WIPED OUT LEAD
Dilshan and Vandort wiped out England's lead in the 61st over, having started the day 68. Next ball Vandort's single registered the 100 partnership in 209 balls.
England skipper Andrew Flintoff tried different tactics to force a breakthrough and came around the wicket, looking to cramp Vandort for room and struck him in the ribs with the first ball of his second spell.
But the 26-year-old stood firm in his fifth Test and showed impressive patience in his 246-ball innings that will do him a lot of good as Sri Lanka seek a long-term replacement for Sanath Jayasuriya.
England seamer Liam Plunkett, who injured his right shoulder on Friday while fielding, had a scan that revealed no serious damage. He fielded but did not bowl.
