Cook ton but England are timed out

Cook (106) reached his sixth hundred in 12 Test innings - a remarkable statistic thought unprecedented among Englishmen - sharing a century stand yesterday morning with Kevin Pietersen (72).

But Andrew Strauss did not feel sufficiently comfortable to declare before mid-afternoon, on 335 for seven and setting Sri Lanka a notional 343 to win in 58 overs.

On a pitch which refused to deteriorate noticeably, England were then unable to make the necessary inroads.

Unlike in Cardiff last week, Sri Lanka cosily closed out the draw by reaching the safety of 127 for three to stay just 1-0 down in this three-match series.

In 13 overs before tea, they lost Kumar Sangakkara - acting captain and deputising opener, in the absence of the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan - caught at gully off Chris Tremlett.

But a half-century stand between Mahela Jayawardene and the stoic Tharanga Paranavitana, until the No 3 was brilliantly caught by Pietersen at fourth slip off Stuart Broad.

England bowled better than they had for much of the first innings, keeping more testing lines as they tried to apply pressure on vulnerable opponents.

But Strauss decided that his frontline bowling options needed a rest and his decision to turn to Jonathan Trott paid off in the medium-pacer's second over when he got enough swing to beat left-hander Paranavitana's forward defence and see him off lbw after a review.

There were still more than 25 overs left to take seven wickets - including Dilshan's - against a team who lost all 10 in less than that in Cardiff last week.

But Sri Lanka were doubly determined not to suffer a replay, and the middle order dug in.

Strauss did not fuel criticism of a perceived lack of urgency at times from Cook during his innings in the morning.."We did very well after lunch, and showed a huge amount of intent," Strauss said.

"It was a bit tricky prior to lunch when the left-armer (Rangana Herath] was bowling over the wicket into the rough - it was a bit hard to keep the momentum going, and we lost a little bit there.

"We still scored at more than four an over, but I think it was always going to be a little bit hard to force a result on the final day here because we know the Lord's wicket doesn't deteriorate.

"We didn't expect them to fold quite as they did (in the first Test] at Cardiff, and they didn't on a flat wicket."

England therefore called off their pursuit of victory with 15 overs unbowled.

Strauss said: "The guys had toiled hard, and you get the feeling as a side whether you're likely to get wickets or not - and it just seemed that we'd run our race."

Dilshan suffered a hairline fracture of his right thumb after twice being hit by Chris Tremlett in his first-innings 193.

And he confirmed after the match last night that he is highly unlikely to be fit in time for the third Test, in which Sangakkara will lead the team if necessary.

"At the moment I am out for the third Test," Dilshan said.

"The physio and doctors have advised three to four weeks to heal.

"I have ten days, so if it's a quick recovery it might be I can play - or else I'll give a youngster a chance and be ready for the one-dayers."x