Vaughan salutes spirit

5 December 2007

Matt Prior takes a blow to neck as England fight to save the first Test in Kandy © Getty Images

Captain Michael Vaughan paid tribute to England’s battling display after they went down by 88 runs to Sri Lanka in the first Test in Kandy.

Charged with batting out the final day to avoid defeat, the tourists survived until 20 minutes from the end of play thanks largely to a determined century stand for the seventh wicket between Ian Bell and Matt Prior.

They were eventually bowled out for 261 to fall 1-0 down in the three-match series.

“We fought really hard today,” Vaughan said. “Belly and Matty Prior’s partnership was exceptional in the middle period.

“There are a lot of real positives and Sri Lanka clawed it back with some exceptional bowling and batting.

“Their target was always going to be difficult to bat at - at the end we thought we’d get over the line.”

England wicket-keeper Prior, who made a defiant 63, said: “Vaughny this morning asked us to fight and that’s what we did.

“We fought hard - it was a war of attrition at points. Not quite enough in the end but we’ll take a lot from it.

“Individually, I’ll take a lot from this game," he added.

“I’ve put a lot of hours into keeping and the batting. It’s nice to feel in good touch and pulling out a couple of performances.”

Ian Bell and Prior during their resolute seventh-wicket partnership © Getty Images

Buy this photo

Of his dismissal to Murali's doosra, he said: “I’ll be honest - I didn’t pick it.

“But to make him bowl very hard and for a long time to get that wicket, we’ll take a lot from that.

“There were times when we were picking him.”

Bell, who made 74, told his team-mates to draw inspiration from the recent one-day series win in Sri Lanka as they look to bounce back when the second Test in Colombo starts on Sunday.

They fell behind during the limited-overs campaign in October but won three games on the trot to claim overall victory.

“It’s important tomorrow we have a good rest and everyone rehydrates and everyone gets back on board and ready for the second Test,” he said.

“It’s important to draw on the one-dayers when we went 1-0 down and looked at things we could improve.”

Vaughan revealed Matthew Hoggard “has got to be a doubt” for the second Test.

Though the seamer batted despite a back injury sustained on the fourth day, he faces a battle to recover in time for the clash in the capital.

“Hoggard’s got a stiff back and has got to be a doubt for the next Test,” Vaughan said.

Asked if that could mean a return for pace bowler Steve Harmison, he added: “Could do - everyone’s available for selection.”