Dilshan responds to Prior's knock with an aggressive century, Lord's Test hangs in balance
Dilshan responds to Prior's knock with an aggressive century, Lord's Test hangs in balanceSri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan led from the front with an unbeaten century as the tourists fought back against England on the second day of the second Test at Lord's here Saturday.
At stumps, Sri Lanka were 231 for one, 255 runs behind England's first innings 486.
Tillakaratne Dilshan hits a trademark cut shot during his blazing century
at Lord's on Saturday. PIC/GETTY IMAGESDilshan was 127 not out after sharing a record-breaking first-wicket partnership of 207 with left-hander Tharanga Paranavitana (65).
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 13 at the close.
England missed a chance to separate the openers on 37 when left-hander Paranavitana, who'd then made 13, edged fast bowler Steven Finn, recalled in place of the injured James Anderson, to Alastair Cook at third slip.
But Cook, fielding in the spot vacated by the retired Paul Collingwood, dropped the chance despite getting both hands to the ball.
Dilshan played his natural free-scoring game, hooking Chris Tremlett, one of England's trio of 6ft 5in plus seamers, for six and lofting off-spinner Graeme Swann into the Lord's Pavilion where the ball hit a spectator.
Dilshan then cut Finn for his 11th four to complete a 12th Test hundred in 129 balls.
Finn eventually had the wicket he was denied previously when Paranavitana's near four-hour knock ended when he edged a booming drive to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip.
Earlier, England were bowled out for 486 on the stroke of lunch, with wicketkeeper Matt Prior making 126 - his fourth Test hundred.
Prior, together with Stuart Broad, who made an elegant 54, scored briskly during a a seventh-wicket stand of 108 in 91 balls.
England, who had slumped to 22 for three after losing the toss Friday, resumed on 342 for six.
Prior was 73 not out overnight and Broad, offering good support, 17 not out. However, Prior went from 86 to 94 with two fortunate fours, edging seamer Suranga Lakmal just short of wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and next ball nicking him through the slips.
His luck held again when Prior went to 99 by edging a cut off Lakmal between keeper and first slip before a single saw him to a century off 107 balls with 17 fours.
Prior then fell to left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, bowled on the slog-sweep after his latest valuable innings.
