Cricket-Muralitharan wins battle over Pietersen

NOTTINGHAM, England, June 3 (Reuters) Muttiah Muralitharan won his personal battle with Kevin Pietersen at Trent Bridge today to inspire a spirited Sri Lanka fightback on the second day of the third and final test.

The touring side, already 1-0 down in the series, had looked in serious trouble after being dismissed for 231 on the opening day.

But by the close today they had turned the game on its head by skittling England for 229 in their first innings and then taking their overall lead to 47 with nine second-innings wickets remaining.

Kumar Sangakkara was 22 not out with Upul Tharanga on 17.

Sri Lanka's bowlers were as good as their front-line batsmen had been bad yesterday.

Muralitharan, who had helped put on 62 for the last wicket on the opening day, yet again played the central role, taking three for 62.

Pietersen made 41 while Paul Collingwood top-scored with a painstaking 48.

REUTERS SRS RAI2315