Flintoff sparks Sri Lankan collapse

NOTTINGHAM, England, Jun 2 (Reuters) England took three wickets for two runs in 14 balls just before lunch on the opening day of the third and final test against Sri Lanka today.

The tourists, having opted to bat, looked well placed at Trent Bridge on 84 for one before Andrew Flintoff sparked the collapse by getting rid of Kumar Sangakkara, caught behind for 36, after an 82-run stand with opener Upul Tharanga.

By the break it was 86 for four.

Sangakkara looked unlucky to go but there was no doubt about Tharanga and captain Mahela Jayawardene's dismissals in the next two overs.

Tharanga edged Matthew Hoggard behind for 34 and Jayawardene went without scoring in the same fashion to Flintoff to turn the session on its head.

Earlier, debutant Jon Lewis had removed Michael Vandort for a single with his fourth ball in test cricket with the score on two.

Flintoff, banging the ball in short in an attempt to unsettle the Sri Lankans, finished the session with two for 13 off 5.4 overs.

Both teams sprung selection surprises, England, who lead the series 1-0, by dropping promising fast bowler Sajid Mahmood for Lewis and Sri Lanka by recalling 36-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya.

He had announced his test retirement shortly before the tour.

REUTERS PG HS1818