Bell century lays platform for England victory bid

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SOUTHAMPTON: Ian Bell's second hundred in three matches helped England stay on top in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl here on Sunday.

Sri Lanka were 112 for three in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day -- still 81 runs behind England's first innings 377 for eight declared.

England, pressing for a win that would give them the series 2-0, saw their pacemen back up Bell's 119 not out with a disciplined display.

Shortly before the close Stuart Broad, bowling a much fuller length after wastefully dropping short for much of this match, had the experienced Mahela Jayawardene caught behind for just six off an excellent leg-cutter.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara -- the other proven class batsman in the tourists' ranks -- was 44 not out at the close.

Nightwatchman Rangana Herath was unbeaten on two after a day where the rain, which has taken 155 overs out of this match, stayed away.

Bell's innings enabled England captain Andrew Strauss to make an enterprising declaration with his side 193 in front -- nine more runs than the tourists managed in their first innings 184.

Sangakkara, leading Sri Lanka in place of the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan, came to the crease having scored a mere 65 runs in five innings this series at an average of 13, as compared to a career Test mark of more than 56.

But Sangakkara, Dilshan's immediate predecessor as captain, showed his class with a magnificent cover-driven four off Broad.

Test debutant Lahiru Thirimanne who, like fellow left-hander Sangakkara, made a hundred in last week's tour match against Essex was defending gamely.

But fast bowler Chris Tremlett, who took a Test-best six for 48 in the first innings, dismissed Thirimanne for 38 when the opener edged a fine delivery that seamed away to Strauss at first slip.

Bell's century -- the first Test hundred at the Rose Bowl -- followed his unbeaten 103 in England's innings and 14-run first Test victory in Cardiff.