Cook ton gives England series win chance

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LONDON: Alastair Cook scored his third century in four Test innings to help give England a chance of a series-clinching victory against Sri Lanka at Lord's here on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka were 32 for one in their second innings at tea on the fifth and final day, needing a further 311 runs in the final session's 45 overs to reach their victory target of 343.

The highest score ever made in the fourth innings to win a Test at Lord's was 344 for one, needing 342, by the West Indies against England in 1984.

England lead the three-match series 1-0 after dismissing Sri Lanka for just 82 inside 25 overs in an innings and 14-run first Test win in Cardiff.

Before tea, Sri Lanka lost acting captain Kumar Sangakkara, opening in place of injured skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan, for 12 when he cut Chris Tremlett to Eoin Morgan at backward point.

Tharanga Paranavitana, who might have been stumped by Matt Prior, was nine not out and Mahela Jayawardene five not out.

Earlier, England declared their second innings on 335 for seven after Cook made 106 and Ian Bell 57 not out.

Left-handed opener Cook's century was his third hundred in four Test innings following scores of 189 against Australia in Sydney, 133 against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Cardiff and 96 in the first innings of this match.

He was eventually out when third umpire Aleem Dar, after long deliberation, decided he had been stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene off impressive left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to end a five-half-hour innings.

Herath was the pick of Sri Lanka's attack with three for 87 in 24 overs.

Cook's exit sparked a flurry of late wickets as England went in search of quick runs.

England resumed Tuesday on 149 for two, a lead of 156, with Cook 61 not out and Kevin Pietersen 15 not out.

It looked as if they would bat through Tuesday's morning session without losing a wicket.

But, shortly before lunch, Pietersen was bowled by Herath for 72 to end a third-wicket partnership of 127 with Cook.

Sri Lanka, as they had on Monday, took the field without Dilshan.

A team spokesman said Tuesday opening batsman Dilshan had suffered a broken thumb caused by twice being hit by fast bowler Chris Tremlett during his innings of 193 -- the highest individual Test score by a Sri Lankan at Lord's.