Sri Lanka 280 for two against England

Marvan Atapattu reached his sixth test century as Sri Lanka pressed on towards a big first innings total against England on the second day of the first test on Friday.

Opener Atapattu, who had made 85 of the overnight 221 for two, got to his hundred from 302 deliveries, having struck 10 fours.

Atapattu, playing his 42nd test, has a reputation for going on to huge scores. On the five previous occasions he has played three-figure innings, three of them have been turned into double centuries.

His partner, the veteran Aravinda de Silva, moved from 56 overnight to 75 as Sri Lanka reached 267 for two midway through the morning session.

Their progress on a slow pitch had been comparatively brisk, with 46 being added in 15 overs since the start of the day.

Marvan Atapattu, with 111 not out, and Aravinda de Silva, with 85 not out, have taken their third-wicket partnership to 170 as Sri Lanka moved on to 280 for two on the second morning of the first test against England.

Highlights:

* Sri Lanka resume on 221 for two, with Atapattu on 85 and Aravinda de Silva on 56.

* Paceman Andy Caddick bowls a single maiden and is replaced by left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.

* Atapattu drives Darren Gough through mid-off for the first boundary of the morning. Next over he strikes another boundary off Giles and one ball later reaches his sixth test hundred, including 10 fours and from 302 balls, with a single to mid-off.

* De Silva, unruffled by two Giles lbw appeals, sweeps the spinner to the midwicket boundary and Atapattu lashes a further straight four off the left-armer as 34 runs come off the first 10 overs.

* Moments later, the pair bring up their 150-run partnership, with Giles swept for another boundary by de Silva. Off-spinner Robert Croft replaces Giles and opens with a maiden, while Craig White joins the attack.

Mail Cricket Editor