Sri Lanka secure historic series win

Sri Lanka beat England by 100 runs, with just one ball to spare, to win the second Test at Headingley on Tuesday and so take the two-match series 1-0.

Sri Lanka explode in celebration as the wicket of James Anderson falls

There were more than 20 overs remaining when last man James Anderson came into bat.

But he survived for 55 balls until, with only one delivery left in the match, he gloved a catch off paceman Shaminda Eranga to Rangana Herath at leg gully.

Defeat was tough on England's Moeen Ali who batted for six-and-a-half hours while making 108 not out -- his maiden Test century.

England, set 350 for victory, were bowled out for 249 on the fifth and final day as Sri Lanka won a Test in England for only the third time in their history following victories at The Oval in 1998 and Trent Bridge in 2006.

England had been in charge of this match at 311 for for three after tea on the second day of this Test, thanks to Australia-born opener Sam Robson's maiden Test century, and again when they reduced Sri Lanka to 277 for seven on Monday -- a lead of just 169.

But Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, who earlier in this match took a Test-best four for 44 with the ball, went on to make a superb Test-best 160, having shared an eighth-wicket stand of 149 with Herath (48) that gave the tourists the advantage.

England then suffered a spectacular collapse late Monday as they slumped to 57 for five in the face of paceman Dhammika Prasad's four-wicket burst.

From then on England, who were denied victory in the first Test at Lord's when Sri Lanka No 11 Nuwan Pradeep saw out the last five balls of the match to secure a draw, were fighting a rearguard action.

Alastair Cook should resign as captain: Geoffrey Boycott

Alastair Cook passed Geoffrey Boycott on England's all-time leading run-scorers list on Monday, but the former Test opener believes the current captain is presiding over a "recipe for resignation". England's fresh start after their Ashes misery looks set to be dramatically doused by Sri Lanka, who on Tuesday will likely seal a first-ever series win in the country.

Angelo Mathews' 160 helped Sri Lanka set England a winning target of 350 at Headingley and their response was an awful one, closing the fourth day on 57 for five. Cook chopped on to his own stumps for 17 as part of that collapse and little continues to go right for the captain, whose wet winter has turned into a shocking spring.

Questions had already been raised about his ability to captain the side - chiefly from Shane Warne - and Boycott can see why. "Cook is in that sort of form where he'll get out in ways he couldn't dream up. That was a short long hop which he pulls well, it's one of his favourite shots, and he got an under-side edge onto the stumps," he told the Test Match Special podcast.

"It's like when you're playing well and you can plunder runs from anywhere. He cannot get a run, he'll get tenser, it'll get harder for him and I don't know how he's going to get out of it. We've had a very, very bad day. We thought the nightmare of Australia was over, but it's still here. This is a side... I don't know where we go. From a winning position we will lose, the captain is in terrible form and it's a recipe for resignation. I don't know if he will but it is."

Boycott was keen to add he has no problem with Cook as an individual or even as a player, but raised issues relating to how Sri Lanka were able to get into a winning position as Mathews manipulated the field at will. He added: "I want to be fair to him because I love him, he's a lovely boy. My daughter has a boyfriend but if she didn't and went out with him, I mean when he was single, he's a lovely lad, one of the nicest people you could wish (to meet).

"He's a top batsman just in bad form, but he's a smashing lad. I have no problem with him setting that field, none at all. When it doesn't work, that's when I have a problem with it. Where's the innovation, the invention, the try-something-different?" 

Boycott also laid blame at the door of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The duo were unable to make an impact on the Sri Lankan middle and lower orders, leaving Mathews free to do as he pleased. "I won't say we've played rubbish but there have been moments when we have been rubbish," he said.

"I'm trying to be honest and sensible and not have any histrionics because we've had a bad day but this was pathetic. The bowling of Anderson, one of the best bowlers in the world, swing and seam... We've had two new balls this second innings and he's bowled some tripe at times. He's swung it, cut it, made it bounce, but it's either been too full, too wide and short, down leg side, there's no wonder he doesn't get wickets at Headingley.

"I'm only telling the truth, I don't take any pleasure talking about a great bowler like Jimmy, and he's a wonderful swing and seam bowler, his record is fabulous, and Stuart Broad hasn't been that much better. You have to use words like rubbish and pathetic at times. Two of the finest bowlers in the world, they are not young kids in their first Test matches. Stuart Broad, (Graeme Swann) Swanny says, says he believes he bowls as fast as Michael Holding, I wish he did he might have won the match for us," Boycott said.

England facing first home series defeat against Sri Lanka

 England is facing a first home series defeat to Sri Lanka after a dismal fourth day's play during the second Test at the Headingley.

Chasing 350 to win, the hosts' top order was destroyed by fast bowler Dhammika Prasad's 4-15 as they slipped to 57-5 in their second innings.

Sri Lanka had earlier amassed 457 at Headingley, led by a masterful 160 from captain Angelo Mathews, who was supported by Rangana Herath's 48.

They added 149 for the eighth wicket, Mahela Jayawardene having made 79.

Mathews and Herath spent all but one ball of the afternoon session together and were parted only when Herath was run out in a mix-up off the final delivery before tea.

During his innings, Mathews gave one chance on 87, a relatively straightforward caught and bowled off Plunkett, who had earlier taken two wickets in two balls to give him nine in the match.

When it came to England's turn to bat, Prasad struck quick blows by bowling a full length.

Skipper Cook continued his year-long run of poor form by dragging a pull on to his stumps. One drop Gary Ballance was plumb lbw to the next ball, which shaped back in. Fellow opener Sam Robson chased a wide one to edge the same bowler to second slip and Ian Bell was bowled by a beauty that nipped back to take off stump.

A miserable day was completed by nightwatchman Plunkett chipping Herath to cover from what proved to be the final ball of the day