England battle to save Test

Captain Vaughan followed his first innings 87 by hitting 61 before chipping back a return catch to Dilhara Fernando.

Once again he shared a century stand with Alastair Cook - the first time an English opening pair have managed two in a Test since Geoff Boycott and John Edrich against Australia in 1970-71.

Their efforts meant England - who resumed on 48 without loss, requiring 197 to make the Sri Lankans bat again - were trailing by 45 runs at lunch.

Vaughan tucked regular boundaries off Lasith Malinga first thing Wednesday morning and reached his landmark off 81 deliveries.

Once again he prospered alongside Cook, as the new-look opening partnership resisted for the opening one and a half hours of an extended first session.

The tourists were clearly intent on a positive approach to staving off defeat as left-hander Cook hooked the first ball of the day from Malinga confidently to long leg.

He then twice drilled Chaminda Vaas through the covers for four as Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene rotated his attack in search of a breakthrough.

Fast bowler Fernando provided it when, having already induced a false stroke from Vaughan with a slower ball which lobbed over mid-off for four, another subtle variation in pace accounted for the England captain.

Essex's Cook brought up his half-century shortly after a 20-minute stoppage for rain while Ian Bell began with some confident strokes on a fifth day expected to be hit by thundery showers.