England fall narrowly short to wicked Murali deliveries

MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN had the last laugh in a week of cheer for Sri Lanka as England’s brave rearguard fell narrowly short at Asgiriya.

Despite heroic efforts from Ian Bell and Matt Prior on the final day, Michael Vaughan’s team lost by 88 runs around half-an-hour short of the close of play. Bell and Prior came together 10 minutes after lunch with the tourists 139 for six, spending more than two and a half hours together in a 109-run stand before falling within the space of three Muralitharan deliveries.

Prior had a solid 63 but was undone by a ‘doosra’. Bell, who top-scored with 74, played for a turn that was not there and was also bowled.