He took a knock on the cartilage below the right knee while batting and did not field. Ranatunga said he was ``hopeful'' of leading the side against England at Lord's tomorrow.

``From the positive way in which we played, the tight fielding and the accuracy of our new-ball attack, I believe we can do to England what we have done to South Africa,'' he said.

Hansie Cronje acknowledged that South Africa had plunged in a matter of days ``from a big high to a big low'' after the loss of the Test series at Headingley.

``After what happened there, it was important for us to try to come back,'' he said. ``Is has been physically and mentally tiring. We had a long talk before this game and the spirit is still there. But Sri Lanka were fresher in the field and put the ball in the right place. The key to England beating them is getting early wickets to break up the openers.''

Cronje admitted the payment of a bonus of about £2,000 to the players from their cricket board ``was a little bit embarrassing, considering that we lost. But it was a nice gesture and showed they appreciated we have played some good cricket''.