By Caroline
May 28 2006

In the 4th day of the second test England cruise to victory with a lead of 1-0. Sri Lanka managed to draw the first test however England were adamant that they were going to win this one. They won by 6 wickets this afternoon and lead the Npower Test Series 1-0. It all started on 194-5 where Sri Lanka were 40 runs ahead therefore England knew they had to wrap it up today. For 55 minutes all looked good for Sri Lanka as Michael Vandoort and Farveez Maharoof kept England at bay.

However, England took the option to take the new ball and it all changed from then on. Flintoff got the first wicket of the day when he sent Maharoof to the pavilion. Liam Plunkett then came into the attack as he quickly got the next wicket. Collingwood caught both Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Kulasekera at gully from great balls by Plunkett.

Next England’s skipper, Andrew Flintoff, removed Lasith Malinga, which Andrew Strauss caught at second slip. The Last wicket of the day for England came down to Plunkett who got figures of 6-60. He had Vandort caught behind to justify the last wicket.

The last innings and England has to get just 78 to lead the Npower test. Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick came to the crease however their time was caught short as Trescothick went for a duck. Andrew Strauss was caught at slip however he didn’t seem to think it was out as replays suggested that he made no contact with the ball as it only hit his pad.

Murali then got Pieterson out but Cook made sure he got England the 1-0 lead after Paul Collingwood got out by Muralitharan to give him his 15th 10-wicket match haul.

It was up to Flintoff and Cook now as Freddie got the winning runs by getting a 4.

England won by 6 wickets.