England look for Sri Lanka victory

England A will look to secure victory on the final day of the first Test against Sri Lanka A tomorrow, after establishing a lead of 436 in their second innings in Colombo.

The tourists dismissed their hosts for 228 - 196 behind - after they resumed the day on 179 for six only to lose the early wicket of Gayan Wijekoon for 19, ending a seventh-wicket stand of 52.

Alex Gidman's introduction into the attack produced an immediate reward as the Gloucestershire seamer finished off the tail by taking three for eight in in only 3.2 overs.

Top scorer Malinga Bandara was ninth man out for 45 after adding 42 with Thilan Thushara, who hit a breezy 27 with a six and three fours.

Essex opener Alastair Cook then hit four fours in his 18 before falling lbw to Nandika Ranjith and when captain Ian Bell departed cheaply England were 34 for two.

Mike Powell then found a willing partner in Owais Shah and the pair removed any distant hope Sri Lanka had of regaining the initiative with a stand of 86.

Powell eventually departed for a patient 54 but Shah and Ricky Clarke (30) put on 60 for the fourth wicket before Ranjith returned to claim his second victim.

Shah had progressed to 81, his second half-century of the match, but after hitting three sixes and five fours in a 134-ball stay he was caught by Wijekoon.

Sussex wicket-keeper batsman Matt Prior's aggressive 40 not out from just 33 balls took England to 240 for five and in prime position to drive home their advantage on the last day.