England were forced to follow on this morning after the most exciting session of the match. Six wickets fell in the morning as England collapsed from 202 for four at the start of the day to 253 all out, thus failing to avoid the follow on by 18 runs.

Marcus Trescothick, England's hero yesterday, added only three runs to his overnight score of 119. He was nearly dismissed in the first over of the day when he was caught at second slip off a Muttiah Muralitharan no ball. He was then caught behind pushing at an away swinger from Chaminda Vaas in the next over. He had scored 122 from 347 balls and hit 12 fours in his innings. England were 206 for five.

Graeme Hick was then controversially given out by umpire Peter Manuel. In Vaas's fifth over he tried to drive a full-length ball. The Sri Lankan players appealed for a catch behind and Manuel raised his finger. Hick motioned that he had not hit the ball and lingered at the wicket before making his way back to the pavilion for five runs. England were 217 for six.

Craig White came to the crease and immediately glanced Vaas fine for a boundary. Then, in the 12th over of the day and the last of Vaas's six-over spell, he drove imperiously through extra cover and looked in prime form.

Robert Croft defended stoutly for 94 minutes for his nine runs, but was well caught by Mahela Jayawardene at second slip soon after the introduction of Sanath Jayasuriya from the City End leaving England on 239 for seven.

White and Ashley Giles then added 15 runs for the eighth wicket and looked in control. However, in the 132nd over, bowled by Jayasuriya, White powerfully drove a full-pitched delivery. It would have gone for four had it not thundered into Russel Arnold's bulky shin guards at silly point. The ball ballooned up and Kumar Sanagakkara completed a simple catch. White had made 25 and England were 253 for eight.

They failed to add any further runs to the score. Andrew Caddick lasted just two balls before Jayawardene completed a sharp left-handed catch at first slip to give Jayasuriya his fourth wicket.

Then, three balls later, Tillakaratne Dilshan wrapped up the innings with a stunning diving catch at first slip as Ashley Giles edged Muralitharan's arm ball.

Asked to follow on England reached 37/0 off 19 overs.

© CricInfo Ltd.