Another day, another astonishing run-chase in less than perfect light, and another opportunity for the tabloids to work themselves into a lather. "Mauler Marcus sparks glory," trumpeted The Sun: "England's immediate future in Leeds looked as promising as that of David O'Leary's after Sri Lanka had plundered 240 for 7 from a rain-reduced 32 overs," wrote John Etheridge, "but England surged to a dramatic win after one of the greatest run-chases in their history."

Mike Walters in The Mirror was no less enthusiastic: "First it was Ian Botham and Bob Willis in 1981, then Mark Butcher's unbeaten 173 against the Aussies last year." And now, he added, another Headingley miracle, in "light barely fit for moles".

Christopher Martin-Jenkins in The Times was more prosaic but no less impressed: "The confidence that England must have gained from their thrilling [chase] will prove at least as important as the result itself.

"The manner in which Marcus Trescothick led the hunt again," added CMJ, "three weeks after sounding the horn in the six-over dash at Old Trafford, franks his reputation as one of the most commanding batsmen in the world."

"Trescothick's 82 from 60 balls might not have actually fed the 5000," wrote Etheridge, "but it damn well gave them a run-chase to remember."

Nevertheless, there would have been no runs to chase had it not been for an explosive return to form for Sanath Jayasuriya, whose 112 from 87 balls was his first one-day century for 27 matches, but the first to end in defeat. CMJ sympathised: "The smoking fury of his batting hardly deserved to be in a losing cause."

"Jayasuriya did not play in the 'V' like Arthur Mitchell taught every young Yorkshire batsman from Hutton to Boycott," wrote Pat Gibson in The Times, "he did not keep the ball on the ground and he did not bother too much with technique. But Jayasuriya is a batsman of his time and anyone who thought that his time had gone may have to think again."

It was clearly not a day for bowlers, though no-one bothered to tell that to Darren Gough: "In the manner of media-savvy sportsmen," wrote Derek Pringle in the Daily Telegraph, "Gough, an absentee for both county and country since March, polished his diamond earstud, exposed his tattoos, and promptly took a wicket with the first ball of his second over." Although, as Etheridge pointed out, "With his sense of the dramatic, it was a surprise it took that long."

Yorkshire's other favourite son, Matthew Hoggard, had a less enjoyable day, disappearing for 53 runs in four overs. "Swing can be a great asset," said Pringle, "but only in the hands of a thinking bowler. After a few clouts into the boundary boards Hoggard's thinking processes simply left for the pub."

Angus Fraser in The Independent likened the battle of the batsmen to a shootout: "Despite being outgunned by Jayasuriya, Trescothick had a posse to help him out, while the Sri Lankan captain was outnumbered, surrounded and fighting a battle virtually single-handed."

The only shame was the poor attendance, and Pringle did not mince his words: "Whether early rain possibly put paid to the curious, or ticket prices were considered too high, the attendance of 8000 was a scandal."

But Yorkshire's chief executive found a quick-fit excuse. "Down south at The Oval," grumbled Chris Hassell, "those chaps in the metropolis are far quicker to part with their money. Northerners are less willing to commit."

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