England sink Sri Lanka in astonishing final session

Graeme Swann (four for 16) and Chris Tremlett (four for 40) were the heroes as the tourists crumbled in just 24.4 overs.

England had briefly batted when play got under way at 3pm after yet more rain at the SWALEC Stadium, Ian Bell (103 not out) getting his 13th Test ton before they declared on 496 for five - a lead of just 96, which, incredibly, proved to be enough.

There was little suggestion of the drama to come when Bell threaded Perera wide of gully to move to 103.

His celebration, in front of a crowd that was then measurable in dozens, consisted of running from the field to signify the declaration at 496 for five - a lead of 96. With James Anderson off the field due to the side strain that is certain to rule him out of next week's Lord's Test, Tremlett joined Broad in taking the new ball.

Broad beat Tharanga Paranavitana once in the opening over but Tremlett went one better in the second, finding the edge with a fuller ball as Strauss pouched the catch at slip.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was next man down in the fourth over as Tremlett banged one in and took a looping return catch off Dilshan's glove.

Broad was also causing problems before the Sri Lankans reached tea and apparent safety on 32 for two.

But Tremlett located the edge of Mahela Jayawardene's bat with the fifth ball of the session and Strauss was again waiting at first slip to leave Sri Lanka rocking.

Thilan Samaraweera was next in and his stay was a brief one before he dragged on to his stumps to give Swann a first success.

Kumar Sangakkara looked the key at this point but he joined the procession when he fed Strauss a third catch off a testing delivery from Swann for a streaky 14.

Three balls later, 43 for five became 43 for six as Swann did enough to find Farveez Maharoof's edge and Matt Prior snared a smart catch.

By now Swann had three wickets in eight balls but, unbelievably, worse was around the corner. With the first ball of his ninth over Tremlett feathered Prasanna Jayawardene's glove to give Prior another catch. Billy Doctrove reprieved the batsman but England sent the decision upstairs, where third umpire Rod Tucker sent the wicketkeeper on his way for three.

The 922 spectators there could hardly believe what was happening, with Rangana Herath becoming the eighth man down six balls later. Swann was the bowler, earning an lbw decision from a wild stroke.

Perera added some quick runs but was lucky to see Bell and substitute fielder Stewart Walters collide when he lobbed Broad into the onside. There was no such mishap when Broad again pinned Perera on the backfoot, the ball fended to short leg where Bell took a memorable one-handed catch.

Sri Lanka's final pair stayed together just two balls before Broad found too much bounce and pace for Suranga Lakmal and Alastair Cook took the catch.

Tremlett finished with four for 40, Swann taking a superb return of four for 16, while Broad completed a the job with two for 21.

With so much time lost from the game, it was hard to conceive of England forcing a result. In the end, they had plenty of it to spare.