Jayasuriya excels
Exhibiting an absolutely outstanding performance, the flamboyant Sanath Jayasuriya set the oval ablaze with his magnificent strokeplay. He gave a spectacular display of power-hitting with a variety of innovative shots. His dry spell in almost 11 Tests ended when he scored a brilliant double century (213) and shared a record partnership of 243 with the dashing Aravinda for the 3rd wicket, against any Test playing nation. That's something to be proud of Jayasuriya was his former self when he drove Dominic Cork over the ropes for a sensational six in racing towards his 150. Last year he was really unlucky to have missed his double century against the Indians, when he scored 199 at the SSC grounds. It took him almost one year to bounce back with a blistering 213, thus cementing the Sri Lankans' first innings.
Dominating the batting in the 2nd innings the belligerent Sanath punished the wayward English bowlers with two staggering sixes. Deservedly the negative tactics of the English bowlers got a sound thrashing.
Aravinda's milestone
Hearty congratulations to Aravinda de Silva our versatile world class strokemaker who reached his milestone, passing 5000 runs in Test cricket, in fact the first Sri Lankan to do so. It's a remarkable achievement. Playing a subdued role when Sanath Jayasuriya was going great guns, Aravinda gave an exhilarating batting display with his Captain Arjuna, obliterating the respectable England total of 445. Eventually he made a masterly 152.
Muralitharan - Super Star
16 for 220. The fifth best in test cricket. That was an incredible feat by our super star Muralitharan who destroyed England single handedly. Earlier in his career he had to go through fire and water. He has had his share of humiliation and frustrations. But this was a different ball - game. He was in superb form and was unplayable most of the time. Bowling throughout the game he never let his cheerfulness and enthusiasm slip away. Exuberant as ever, he bowled his heart out in carving a scintillating victory for Sri Lanka.