The Lord's Test: Day Four

Day four and England were looking for early wickets. Unfortunately, the weather that haunted them in Cardiff had travelled across to London. 

 Finally, however, play gets under way and England seek Sri Lankan wickets in an extended afternoon session. 

England get the big wicket of Mahela Jaywardene. He edges into the slip cordon...

Where Cook takes the catch. 

England celebrate not only the fact that Jayawardene's gone for 49, but also that Cook actually took the catch.

Samaraweera, finally putting himself out his misery, edges Tremlett behind after going for a ridiculous shot.

Prior takes the catch and Sri Lanka are 394-5.

Maharoof comes in and goes for only 2 as he is rapped on the pads by Stuart Broad.

Broad runs off celebrating like he's bowled him...

But finally turns around and gets his man. 

Maharoof considers a review...

But in the end wanders off to leave Sri Lanka 409-6.

The Other Jayawardene decides to go for it and along with Herath at the other end, they build a partnership.

Here, The Other Jayawardene hits a six off Swann.

Herath joins Jayawardene's party and hits Swann for a six.

He falls over after a very agricultural shot.

However, soon he goes for one big shot too many...

And is stumped by Matt Prior. Sri Lanka are 466-7.

Finn picks up his fourth wicket as the Other Jayawardene edges...

Where Swann dives to take a good catch in front of Strauss at first slip. Sri Lanka are 472-8.

Fernando soon follows. He edges Swann...

And Strauss takes a cracking reflex catch at first slip. 

He celebrates his 100th catch nonchalantly as Sri Lanka are 474-9.

It's soon all over as Welegedara decides to take on Swann too. 

It flies in the air...

But is caught by Broad. 

Sri Lanka finish on 479 all out, England have a first innings lead of 7. Strauss and Cook face a tricky session before tea.

Strauss faces the first over from Welegedara.

However, he only survives two balls as an issue with left arm seamers (apart from Mitchell Johnson)  has been slowly bubbling for the past year.

He decides to review, despite the fact he is absolutely plumb. 

The UDR system supports the umpire's decision and Strauss goes for a second ball duck. England are 0-1 and facing a tricky spot.

In next though is the perfect man for a crisis, Jonathan Trott. He and Cook link up as they have done so many times and build a partnership. 

Trott, clearly annoyed by the criticism of Bob Willis, Nick Knight and weirdly, Geoff Boycott, reaches a 50 at a relatively quick rate for him.

Cook brings up the century partnership with a cut off Lakmal/Quackmal. 

Cook reaches his 50 with a sweet drive through the covers off Fernando.

Which reaches the boundary.

Cook celebrates his 50. 

Trott, facing KP's 'nemesis' of the left arm spinner seems to struggle.

He's bowled and departs for 58. England are 117-2. 

Trott waddles off having helped England out of one hole. 

However, the incoming batsman is Kevin Pietersen and he faces a very tricky session in questionable light. And against the left arm spinner. All eyes are on him. Can he deliver?

Cheers from the Lord's crowd greet any defensive stroke that Pietersen plays off Herath.

England close on 149-2, a lead of 156.