Sri Lanka beat the light to secure victory

It took more sweat and toil than Sri Lanka might have envisaged, but they eventually wrapped up an 88-run victory in the first Test at Kandy about 20 minutes before bad light would have come to England's rescue.

A defiant stand of 109 in 44 overs between Ian Bell and Matt Prior gave England hope of survival after a poor morning session, however in fitting style Muttiah Muralitharan removed both with wicked deliveries to ensure a match that started with him as centre of attention ended with him the hero.

But it took Muralitharan more than two sessions to make his decisive mark. Firstly Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando did the damage then Sri Lanka came up against the Bell-Prior alliance.

As England ticked down the minutes during the final session Mahela Jayawardene began to fret, perhaps having flashbacks to the 2003-04 series when England hung on in the first two Tests.

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