LONDON: Sri Lanka safely negotiated a draw on the final day of the second Test against England at Lord's Tuesday after being set a daunting 343 from 58 overs to win. The Sri Lankans, who collapsed for 82 in their second innings within 25 overs in the first of the three Tests in Cardiff last week, reached 127-3 when play was called off. Andrew Strauss declared the England second innings closed at 335 for seven after Alastair Cook had completed his sixth century in his last nine Tests. It was also his third hundred in four innings after he fell four short of a century in the first innings. Cook batted for more than five hours before he was finally stumped off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for 106. Kevin Pietersen, out in single figures in both his previous innings in the series, played with all his old authority to reach his half-century from 85 balls. He was dismissed by Herath 10 minutes before lunch for 72 by a ball which spun sharply out of the rough to knock back his off stump. Ian Bell then played a delightful cameo as England forced the pace, stroking three boundaries from his first four deliveries, and finishing with 57 not out from 43 balls as wickets tumbled at the other end.
