Close Sri Lanka 130 for 1 (Arnold 62) trail England 512 (Butcher 123, Stewart 123) by 382 runs
scorecard

There are countless ways to go to a Test century, and Alec Stewart found a method that he won't forget in a hurry as England all but secured a series victory over Sri Lanka on a somnolent day at Old Trafford.

Stewart cracked four consecutive fours off Dilhara Fernando to move from 86 to 102, and stole a few column inches from England's World Cup victory over Denmark. His 123 was his 15th Test century, but his first for two years, and it dragged England to 512 - the first time they had ever scored over 500 in three consecutive Test innings.

In reply, Sri Lanka moved comfortably to 130 for 1 at the close, with Kumar Sangakkara on 33 and Mahela Jayawardene on 11. But they were effectively two down - Marvan Atapattu retired hurt with a fractured forefinger, after a nasty short delivery from Andrew Flintoff pinned his bottom hand against the bat handle. England had a casualty of their own, though: Andy Caddick limped off with a side strain, and is unlikely to bowl again in the match. He may well also be doubtful for the forthcoming NatWest Series.

Rain had delayed the start of play by an hour in the morning session, but Chaminda Vaas wasted no time in picking up his 200th Test wicket, when Alex Tudor slashed to slip for 19 (400 for 7).

But Stewart and Ashley Giles, in a eighth-wicket partnership for England against Sri Lanka of 102, made England virtually immune from defeat. Stewart was 78 at lunch but the fun started when Fernando dropped short and Stewart rocked back and dismissed him through midwicket. The next ball was even shorter, and Stewart flicked it to the same boundary with a disdain that only a batsman 17 years the bowler's senior can muster.

Stewart then throttled a wider delivery through the covers to the boundary, before saving the best for last: a sumptuous drive to long-on. So much for the nervous nineties - and for this being Stewart's last Test. The celebrations were reminiscent of Stewart's 105 against West Indies in 2000, which came in his 100th Test - and on the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. Here he equalled Graham Gooch's England record of 118 Test appearances, and with the fervour surrounding the World Cup, and the Jubilee, it was appropriate that such a fierce patriot as Stewart should make his mark.

Giles had reached a Test-best 45 when he was bamboozled by what looked like a doosra from Muttiah Muralitharan and edged to Sangakkara, who finally clasped in his fingertips at the third attempt (502 for 8). Then Stewart also fell to Murali, caught smartly off bat and pad by Hashan Tillekeratne at silly point. Matthew Hoggard was last man out, lbw to Fernando's deadly slower ball.

Russel Arnold, promoted to open in place of Sanath Jayasuriya, got Sri Lanka's reply off to a rollicking start when he deliberately slapped Hoggard's first two deliveries over the slips to the boundary.

England's seam attack looked a little lost after Caddick hobbled off, with only the impressive Tudor rising to the challenge. Flintoff had serious no-ball problems - six in his first four overs - and Hoggard bowled only two overs all day, which disappeared for 17.

Arnold cashed in, cracking 10 fours in a 53-ball 50, and, for the first time in the series, Sangakkara batted something like a man who came to England with a Test average of 53. But Giles and Tudor restored order, and Arnold's jaunty thrash came to an end on 62 when he needlessly hooked Tudor straight down the throat of Michael Vaughan behind square, one of two men back for the shot.

For all their bold batting, Sri Lanka's body language in the field earlier in the day spoke of a side who were resigned to their fate. And with England minus their No. 1 strike bowler and happy to sit on a 1-0 lead, the game already has an end-of-term feel to it. The series is decided; the ICC Test Championship points, for what they're worth, are in the bag. Only England can win this Test now.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd