9 Jun 2011

Cook scores another hundred as Test ends in draw

12:26 pm on 9 June 2011

The England opening batsman Alistair Cook scored his sixth century in nine Tests but it wasn't enough to force a result on the final day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lords.

Captain Andrew Strauss declared the England second innings closed at 335 for seven after Cook had completed his century, his third hundred in four innings, setting Sri Lanka a daunting 343 from 58 overs to win.

The tourists, who collapsed for 82 in their second innings within 25 overs in the first of the three Tests in Cardiff last week, reached 127 for three when play was called off, the match ending in a draw.

Cook batted for more than five hours before he was finally stumped off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for 106.

Kevin Pietersen, out in single figures in both his previous innings in the series, played with all his old authority to reach his half-century from 85 balls.