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24-Jun-2014 18:28:00 GMT
England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Investec Test, Headingley

Sri Lanka Secure Historic Series Win

Leeds: England fell two balls short of a remarkable escape as Sri Lanka won the second Test by 100 runs to secure a 1-0 series victory.

Last man James Anderson was caught at leg gully off Shaminda Eranga from the penultimate ball of the second Test at Headingley.

Anderson had survived for 20 overs in the company of Moeen Ali, who almost saved England with an impressive maiden Test century.

But, when the number 11 failed to ride a brutal bouncer, the ball looped to Rangana Herath to see England bowled out for 249 and beaten by 100 runs.

Anderson slumped over his bat in disappointment, while Sri Lanka huddled on the pitch to celebrate their first series triumph in England, having won a one-off Test in 1998.

For England the loss not only delivers a sixth defeat in seven Tests, but also provides Peter Moores with defeat in his first series since being reappointed as coach.

The series loss will also put more pressure on captain Alastair Cook to deliver both runs and results in the five-match rubber against India, which begins on 9 July.

However, the drama in which this latest defeat arrived may at least mask some of the deficiencies that saw England surrender an advantage that, at tea on the second day, looked impregnable.

As it was, a collapse of eight wickets for 87 runs, a masterful 160 from Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews and a fourth-evening collapse saw England begin the fifth day 57-5 in pursuit of 350


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