England punish slack Sri Lanka

Trescothick leaves the field after his 161

Second Test, Edgbaston, day two
England 401-5 (close) v Sri Lanka 162 all out

Scorecard

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It was England's day at Edgbaston as Marcus Trescothick hit a career-best 161 in a run-fest in the sunshine.

The hosts ended the day on 401-5 - 239 runs ahead and in a strong position to win the match.

They will resume with Graham Thorpe (30) and Andrew Flintoff (14) at the crease on Saturday.

And it could have been much worse for Sri Lanka had it not been for Muttiah Muralitharan.

Even though he was not fully fit, the Sri Lankan star weaved his magic to dismiss four victims.

Butcher cannot believe his dismissal by Muralitharan

Mark Butcher will feel the most aggrieved with a dismissal akin to the famous Warne-Gatting wicket in 1993.

Just six runs short of a Test ton, the Surrey left-hander saw a ball pitch well outside the leg-stump to clip the top of his off-stump in what will be considered one of the best deliveries of all-time.

Muralitharan also grabbed the wickets of opener Michael Vaughan (46) when he top-edged a sweep to Sanath Jayasuriya, and England captain Nasser Hussain, who found himself bowled after trying to pad up.

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Alec Stewart, who never looked comfortable, was his fourth victim when he gloved a catch to Hashan Tillekeratne for just seven runs towards the end of the extended day's play.

Muralitharan's efforts saw him move ahead of Wasim Akram's 414-wicket haul in Tests and into fifth place on the all-time list.

In between Chaminda Vaas got rid of Trescothick with the last ball before tea when he clipped a shot to Hashan Tillekeratne at short mid-wicket.

Sri Lanka rally

England had begun the day on 24-0 and aiming to post a big total after Sri Lanka's paltry 162 all out.

And they surpassed Sri Lanka's score with ease, punishing slack bowling by littering the field with boundaries and sixes.

360 degree panoramic images of Edgbaston

The flourishing opening partnership between Trescothick and Vaughan was again in evidence as they shared a 92-run stand.

And then Trescothick and Butcher enjoyed a 202-run partnership before Sri Lanka rallied late in the day.

Sri Lanka have never won a Test match during Muralitharan's reign when he has not played.

He may not be able to save them this time but even a half-fit Muralitharan will not be giving up.