Matt Prior rode his luck to score a century that left England well-placed against Sri Lanka on the second day of the second Test at Lord’s in London yesterday.
England were bowled out for 486 on the stroke of lunch after wicketkeeper Prior made 126 — his fourth Test hundred.
Prior, together with Stuart Broad, who made a brisk and elegant 54, took the game away from Sri Lanka during a seventh-wicket stand of 108 in 91 balls.
Chris Tremlett (24 not out) and Steven Finn (19) frustrated Sri Lanka with a last-wicket stand of 34, before the latter was bowled by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath as England, who won the first Test in Cardiff by an innings and 14 runs on Monday, looked to go 2-0 up in this three-match series.
England, who had slumped to 22 for three after losing the toss on Friday, resumed on 342 for six after Alastair Cook (96) and Eoin Morgan (79) had both fallen short of a century.
Prior was 73 not out overnight and Broad, offering good support, 17 not out.
It was Broad, a right-handed fast bowler but a left-hand bat, who stylishly cover-drove paceman Chanaka Welegedara for four in the first over of the day.
Prior though went from 86 to 94 with two fortunate fours, edging seamer Suranga Lakmal just short of wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and next ball through the slips.
Then, on 94, Prior was dropped when he drove outside off-stump against left-armer Welegedara and normally reliable second slip Mahela Jayawardene failed to hold a catch high to his right.
Broad then completed a 47-ball half-century with his ninth four, before Prior’s luck held again when he went to 99 by edging a cut off Lakmal between keeper and first-slip for four.
A quick single took Prior through to a century off 107 balls with 17 fours.
Broad’s enterprising innings ended he was plumb LBW to the persevering Welegedara, who finished with four for 122 in 28 overs having been recalled after missing the first Test.
Prior then fell to Herath’s third ball yesterday, bowled on the slog-sweep.
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