Jayawardene thrilled with Test century

When England coach Duncan Fletcher and one of Sri Lanka's star batsmen, Mahela Jayawardene, faced the press at the end of the first day of the Lord's Test, it was not too difficult to discern who had enjoyed their day more.

Fletcher was distinctly uncomfortable with the way his team had performed, especially all the talk beforehand had been centred on how clearly England were favourites to win. But the coach did not blame complacency for the position in which his team find themselves after the first exchanges of the series.

"The bowlers could have bowled with more discipline. It's imperative on that wicket that we showed a bit of patience but we were lacking in that department.

"We were surprised at the way it played. It was a lot different to how it played over the last two seasons. We thought it might do a bit off the seam but nothing deviated off the pitch.

"They played some good attacking cricket, but it was a nice wicket to bat on and difficult for the bowlers. Though they should have been able to apply more discipline, especially before lunch."

There was even the suggestion that Fletcher did not rate England's chances of winning from this position very great. "If the wicket stays like that there is a good chance, probably not of winning the game but, if we can bat properly, of holding out."

Jayawardene's pleasure with his century was enhanced by the fact this was his first away from home. He has recorded eight before, but every one had been in Sri Lanka.

"This one was one of the best because it was the first one I have got away," he said. "I have had a lot of criticism about it so to come to Lord's and get my first away is the sweetest thing.

Nasser Hussain had few options open to him by the very nature of the selection, but Jayawardene said: "We all respect the England attack, they are a brilliant attack and we expected to struggle. But the wicket was good to bat once you get settled in. We wanted to have a good start to the three-Test series and we got it."