On this day in 2014: Sri Lanka cling on to a thrilling draw against England at Lord’s

Sri Lanka clung on for a nail-biting draw at Lord’s against England on this day in 2014. The visiting team, led by Angelo Matthews, was up against England in two-match Test series, which opened with the Lord’s encounter.

Having won the toss, Sri Lanka invited the hosts to bat first. However, England racked up a massive 575/9 before declaring, on the back of a sensational double century from Joe Root (200 from 298) and half-centuries from Ian Bell (56 from 75) and Matt Prior (86 from 131).

Sri Lanka replied with 453 all-out with centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews. England later declared on 267/8 on the fifth morning, setting 390 for Sri Lanka to win on the final day. Sri Lanka looked solid during the start once again, thanks to Silva and Sangakkara’s half-centuries. Going into the final session of the final day at 164/3, the most probable outcome seemed a draw, with Sri Lanka not showing much intent to push for the chase ever since the start.

Thrilling finish

The game, however, turned on its head once England removed Mahela Jayawardene, Sangakkara, and Lahiru Thirimanne in a space of four overs, with the last two dismissed in the same over. Feasting on the opportunity, the veteran pace duo of Anderson and Broad joined hands to extend Sri Lanka’s collapse, who found themselves seven down for 199 with seven overs left in the day to defend.

With Angelo Mathews still at the crease, Lankan hopes to eke out a draw were on until Anderson ended his 90-ball stay. Broad then struck to claim Rangana Herath’s scalp in the final over of the Test to take England on the brink of a win. With only five balls left in the game and Nuwan Pradeep, Sri Lanka’s No. 11, standing against Broad, England thought they secured the game when the pacer appealed for lbw and the umpire was convinced.

However, much to Sri Lanka’s comfort, DRS revealed that Pradeep had edged the ball and he survived. Broad then induced an edge from Pradeep, only for it to fall inches short of the fielders at slips as he somehow survived the five balls and snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat.