By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

Agnew's Close of Play - BBC Radio Five Live

England were surprisingly defensive throughout the third day, and although they should complete their well-earned victory on the fourth, they might have made things easier for themselves had they shown a little imagination.

The game completely lost its urgency and drifted aimlessly as Nasser Hussain ignored an opportunity to declare before lunch and leave the Sri Lankan opening batsmen with an awkward 20-minute period to survive.

Matthew Hoggard had already joined Graham Thorpe, and although the pair added an unlikely 91 for the last wicket - a record for England against Sri Lanka - it was laboured and gave the Sri Lankans the chance to set ultra-defensive fields in an attempt to drag it out and reduce the amount of time they had to survive.

Thorpe had 61 when Hoggard arrived at the crease.

Hoggard's innings was laudable but unnecessary

Nuwan Zoysa, who had a dreadful spell on the second day, had turned things around by nipping out Tudor, Giles and Caddick after Flintoff had been given out by umpire Daryl Harper, caught at short leg for 29.

Flintoff had every reason to be disappointed since the ball appeared to miss the bat completely. Give him his due, he walked straight off without showing a flicker of disappointment.

This, surely, was the moment for Hussain to seize the initiative and call his troops in.

Missed opportunity

The Sri Lankans would have hated the prospect, and England's bowlers could have given their all for a short burst n the knowledge that they could have a rest and a drink at lunch.

The declaration never came.

Thorpe crept closer to his century. Surely, we thought, Hussain will declare then?

Thorpe celebrated and, I hope, thanked Hoggard for his support, but still the declaration did not happen.

It was only when Thorpe began to throw the bat and, finally, was caught at third man for 123 that the innings came to an end.

Atapattu again showed a sound technique

Hoggard batted for two and a quarter hours for his undefeated 17. but if he was tired as a result, he did not show it as he tore in from the City End and nipped out two quick wickets.

Jayasuriya was clean bowled for 12 and Sangakkara found himself trapped in front for one.

Sri Lanka were 30 for two, and could easily have folded. But as Jayawardene and Atapattu dug in, Hussain reverted to defensive fields which helped the initiative to slip again.

Alex Tudor was called up, and given two slips with no gully, a third man and two men catching on the legside boundary.

It was all very odd, and inspired me to research Nasser's biorhythms for the day: emotional and physical lows suggested that he was not feeling aggressive today, and it showed.

Tomorrow, apparently, he will feel better.