Prior heroics can't save England A

Sri Lanka A tied the unofficial two-match Test series 1-1 despite a heroic fightback from Matthew Prior, England's Sussex-based wicketkeeper, who cracked 104 from just 106 balls to revitalise a run-chase that had been in terminal decline. Prior had arrived at the crease with the score on 22 for 5 in pursuit of 285, and though Sri Lanka were made to sweat, it was fitting that the final word was provided by Malinga Bandara, who sealed the 40-run victory late on the third afternoon after an outstanding match performance.

Sri Lanka A had started the day in their best position of the series, 199 runs ahead with five wickets remaining. They strengthened their grip during the first hour despite the early loss of Prasanna Jayawardene (32), as Jehan Mubarak (36) and Bandara (50) added 46 for the seventh wicket. But England's offspinners, Graham Swann and Richard Dawson, then hurried the innings to close to the leave England requiring a tough but not impossible 285-run target.

English hopes all but evaporated after a spectacular early collapse. The slide was started by Gayan Wijekoon, a gentle-looking left-armer, who dismissed both Vikram Solanki and Ian Bell for ducks in his first over. Owais Shah, the top-scorer in the first innings, was also dismissed for a duck and only Alistair Cook (36) provided any top-order resistance.

However, just when England's cause appeared hopeless, Prior, 23, launched a stunning counterattack. He was particularly severe on Bandara, the key dangerman after his first-innings eight-for, who bleed runs in his opening overs and was soon forced out of the attack. Swann (71) provided stout and enterprising support and the pair galloped along at over a run a ball, adding 126 on 20.2 overs.

England A had won back the initiative when Mubarak, Sri Lanka A's captain, took an inspired punt and brought on Thilina Kandamby, a part-time legspinner. He snared Swann and then Bandara moved in for the kill, polishing up his expensive figures to finish with a match haul of 11 for 126 - a performance that relit his international ambitions seven years after he played his only Test at the tender age of 19.