On a gloriously sunny day, Sri Lanka closed in a strong position at 314/3 thanks to two very technically sound innings by Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene. They built their innings in an old fashioned way, played very straight and took full advantage of the conditions, which were quite unseasonal for Lord's in the middle of May.

The day could have turned out a little different, had the technology available been able to pick up a run out decision that appeared out but was lacking the "missing link": a completely conclusive replay that would have 'convicted' Atapattu when he was on 46 during the first over after lunch.

On one of the pictures presented, Atapattu looked out. That vision was coming from an angle slightly forward of square leg. This was used only once by the third umpire high in the stands; instead the umpire continually used the ICC positioned camera replays, which were not conclusive. Had the decision gone England's way the day's proceedings may have been different, but on a favourable batting track the third wicket pair ground on to a stand worth 206.

For the majority of the day the visitors scored at a healthy rate of four an over. England's attack had a certain similarity about it, lacking the option of a specialist spinner to whom to turn.

Captain Nasser Hussain at one time went for a 8-1 off-side field which allowed no room for error as Matthew Hoggard's third ball to that setting went for four through mid wicket. Needless to say the plan didn't stay that way for long, firstly because the bowlers found it hard to bowl a line fairly uncommon for them and secondly because it completely eliminates bowled and leg before wicket as available modes of dismissal.

Michael Vaughan, although a part-timer, might have been an alternative a bit sooner after lunch given that the over rate was slow, though that was partly the fault of a six minute delay when Jayawardene inside edged a pull onto his unprotected right hip.

For variation, Vaughan finally had a bowl in the 62nd over, and his LBW shout against Atapattu, fourth ball, was not deserving of umpire Venkat's immmediate not out response.

After tea, when the right handed pairing brought up their hundreds, they joined three other Sri Lankan centurions at Lord's in a Test. Sidath Wettimuny batted most of the first two days of the 1984 match falling just ten runs short of a double. Skipper of the day, burly Duleep Mendis, made 111 and was dismissed six short of a second ton in the match, oddly enough during an Ian Botham spell of off-spin. Amal Silva also made 102 as the inaugural England v Sri Lanka Test on English soil found its way to a draw in Sri Lanka's favour.

The new ball arrived at 296/3 with seven overs remaining, with Dominic Cork, Andrew Flintoff and Hoggard all having a go at it, the hard working Yorkshireman doing best as he beat Aravinda de Silva bat on two or three occasions. Andrew Caddick didn't get the chance; his captain may have felt he was the least impressive of the bowlers despite being the most experienced.

When play resumes on the Friday, hopefully in similar weather conditions, Atapattu could well be eyeing that Wettimuny innings of 190 as Sri Lanka look to build on an excellent first day.

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd