Dilshans best steadies Lanka

Tillakaratne Dilshan led Sri Lanka to 372-3 on day three of the second Test against England.

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Tillakaratne Dilshan led Sri Lanka to 372-3 on day three of the second Test against England on Sunday,falling seven runs short of his double century on a day when rain forced an early close at Lords.

Sri Lanka had resumed on 231-1,still 255 short of Englands first-innings 486,and Dilshan took his second-wicket stand with Kumar Sangakkara to 81 before the latter edged Chris Tremlett to wicketkeeper Matthew Prior for 26.

This was Dilshans highest score in Tests. Englands seamers moved the ball regularly under overcast skies. Though the home side returned from lunch with greater urgency in the field and a more consistent line from Tremlett and Finn,rain meant only another 11.2 overs were bowled in the last two sessions.

Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 40,with Thilan Samaraweera 1 not out when play was halted just five balls into the final session.

Stuart Broad completed the over he started before tea,swinging two of his three deliveries sharply away from the right-handed Jayawardene. Finn beat Samaraweera at the other end and then tempted him into a thick outside edge before the umpires called the players off. Frustrated by seeing the home bowlers halted just as they were troubling the batsmen,many fans jeered the decision.

Brief scores: England 1st Innings: 486 all out Sri Lanka 1st Innings 372 for 3 in 102.2 overs (overnight 231-1) T Dilshan 193,M Jayawardene batting 40; C Tremlett 1/74,Finn 2/84)