England 512 (Butcher 123, Thorpe 123) and 50 for 0 (Trescothick 23*, Vaughan 24*) beat Sri Lanka 253 (Arnold 62, Tudor 4-65) and 308 (Arnold 109, Giles 4-62, Tudor 3-44) by 10 wickets
scorecard

A day that snoozed along for the most part came to life in a delirious final session as England pulled off a dramatic ten-wicket victory with only six balls to spare. Left to chase 50 off six overs after a splendid effort from their bowlers, Marcus Trescothick caned 23 off 14 balls and Michael Vaughan 24 off 17. What should have been a taut run-chase turned into a canter.

It was sensational stuff, and in the process they put the seal on a comprehensive series victory - their first 2-0 win at home since Pakistan in 1978. The win was completed at 7.35 pm, surely one of the latest finishes to the final day of a Test match in England.

There were memories of Bulawayo 1996-97 - when England drew with Zimbabwe after the scores finished level - as their innings began to a field spread far and wide. But Sri Lanka's work in the field was pitiful, wasting the efforts of Russel Arnold, who batted most of the day for a fine 109. England's openers took advantage, smashing the bowlers all round the ground. The first over yielded eight. The second, from Dilhara Fernando, went for 16 with Vaughan stepping away to smack one majestic boundary down the ground. Enter Muttiah Muralitharan, but his fourth ball was dumped over midwicket for six by Trescothick. From there the requirement was less than a run a ball, and England breezed home. They even had an over to spare.

All day an England win had looked unlikely - although it never looked out of the question either. Time after time it looked like Sri Lanka had finally closed the door, only for England to prise it ajar with a wicket. Only one fell in the morning session - Kumar Sangakkara, lbw to Alex Tudor for 32, but courtesy of a poor decision from Steve Bucknor (110 for 2). The ball would have undoubtedly hit middle stump, but pitched comfortably outside leg.

On what remained a good pitch, Arnold and Mahela Jayawardene ground on after the interval. Just as an afternoon of complete torpor seemed in prospect, Ashley Giles struck. Frustrated by a lack of turn, Giles switched to bowling over the wicket, and had Jayawardene sharply caught by Nasser Hussain at first slip for 28, with a straighter delivery which lifted and found the edge of Jayawardene's half-hearted prod (151 for 3).

Aravinda de Silva arrived for probably his last Test innings in England and immediately took on the bowlers, being particularly severe on Giles. But de Silva's impetuosity brought about his downfall as he failed to control an attempted hook off the impressive Tudor, and Vaughan took a brilliant diving catch running in from deep backward square leg. De Silva had made 40 and as he took his leave he waved his bat to all corners in acknowledgment of the standing ovation (233 for 4).

All the while Arnold continued a defiant vigil. He made his third Test century, all of which have come when he has opened, but shortly after tea he gave England a chance when he attempted a loose backfoot drive and edged to Alec Stewart (263 for 5). That was Tudor's third wicket, and he ended with deserved match figures of 7 for 109. He also ended up with Man of the Match award - and surely a regular spot for the foreseeable future.

Four balls later Matthew Hoggard nailed Chaminda Vaas plumb lbw (264 for 6), and soon after Eric Upashanta dropped his hands on a short ball from Andy Flintoff, the first of a new spell, only to glove it to Stewart (270 for 7).

Ten-and-a-half overs of pain followed, for players and spectators, as Hashan Tillekeratne and Dilhara Fernando dead-batted England into submission. But another bowling change brought another wicket: Fernando lbw to Ashley Giles, a brave decision, given that the batsman had got a big stride in, but probably a correct one (285 for 8).

Enter Marvan Atapattu, batting in something resembling a boxing glove. He looked as comfortable as a man with a fractured finger can as he and Hashan Tillekeratne used up another 11 overs, until yet another Hussain bowling change did the trick. Atapattu played back to Giles's seventh ball and was plumb lbw, and Murali was caught at short leg off the next. That left England with the merest sniff of victory. It proved to be more than enough.

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