Even at 22 for three the team were 'chilled', reveals Eoin Morgan

Alastair Cook (96) top-scored among four individual batsman to better 50 in a stumps total of 342 for six.

On an apparently benign surface and in glorious conditions, that does not immediately scream out as an especially impressive first day's work in the second npower Test against Sri Lanka. But after lurching to 22 for three, it appears England were not fazed by their early wobble after being put in.

Eoin Morgan (79) was among their main contributors - Matt Prior (73no) and Ian Bell (52) were also in the runs - after Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen had mustered only eight between them.

Irishman Morgan reported afterwards that England never lost their cool during their unaccustomed early strife. "Because of the performances we've had recently, the communication was quite good," he said, of scenes in the dressing room. "Guys accept when they're out and feed information back, so it was quite chilled.

"If we want to be a champion side, when our backs are to the wall we want to come out fighting.

"We recognise that as a crucial part of our game - we can't just fall over and fold like a deck of cards."

The result was that Cook and Bell dug in for a century stand, and Morgan and Prior also shared a three-figure partnership in the final session.

The only surprise for Morgan was that Cook should get himself out so close to yet another century, in what has been a prolific run of form since the end of last summer.

"We don't see it very often, not even in the nets," he said. "I think he was even more surprised himself. The nets go all over the place, and he leaves really well there as well. His judgment and decision-making is unbelievable. He can just leave the ball all day."

As for Pietersen, short of runs since his man-of-the-match double-hundred in Adelaide last December, Morgan retains the faith. "He works twice as hard as anybody, and he's looking good in the nets," said Morgan. He's the type of character who could go out easily tomorrow and score 170. He plays match-winning innings, and has done since he's come into the side."

The main reason for England's comparative comfort at the close, though, was their ever reliable opener.

Morgan added: "Cookie played outstandingly well again. He's in unbelievable form, and it was a crucial innings. Belly did too, and it was a nice position for me and Matty to come in towards the end and take advantage.

"We managed to gain momentum, ran quite well - and got a few more bad balls.It puts us in a great position for tomorrow morning, if we can get through the first half-hour.

Sri Lanka batting coach Marvan Atapattu had more regrets, but still thinks the tourists can hit back.

"I thought we won the first two sessions, but lost a bit of grip after the tea interval," he said.

"But it's all about getting important early wickets in the morning. The first hour will be crucial."