The left-handed opener scored the first Test double century at the Oval in 11 years as the tourists reached 446 for three at the close of play having scored an incredible 367 runs on the day.

Veteran Aravinda de Silva also took full advantage of an expectedly flat wicket to score an unbeaten 125. Resuming at overnight 79 for one the Lankans launched into England's toiling bowlers with a display of dazzling strokes.

Jayasuriya, who boasts a Test best of 340, shared in a breathtaking partnership of 243 with De Silva, who became the first Sri Lankan player to pass 5,000 Test runs when he reached 23.

SCOREBOARD

England (1st innings): 445

Sri Lanka (1st innings): S Jayasuriya c Stewart b Hollioake 213, M Atapattu lbw b Cork 15, P Jayawardene c Hollioake b Fraser 9, A de Silva batting 125, A Ranatunga batting 50; Extras (b14, lb16, nb4) 34.

Total (for 3 wickets in 110 overs) 446

Fall Of Wickets: 1-53, 2-85.

Bowling: Gough 19-5-60-0, Fraser 17-1-73-1, Hollioake 15-1-70-1, Cork 26-2-105-1, Salisbury 24-7-82-0, Ramprakash 5-0-24-0, Butcher 4-2-2-0.