BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | Stewart proud of his efforts

Alec Stewart's fine century on Saturday was the final nail in the coffin as far as Sri Lanka were concerned.

They need to win the final Test to prevent England winning the series, and that doesn't look like happening now.

For someone who likes the ball coming onto the bat, Old Trafford is a good ground to score your runs on.

And Stewart - who has put pressure on the selectors with this innings - is well aware of that.

The 39-year-old said: "I'm very pleased. I've had a bit of success here at Old Trafford.

Scorecard

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Stewart's Old Trafford love affair

"There's not too much sideways movement and not too much swing. I've timed the ball well here in the past and today was no different."

James Foster is reportedly coming back to fitness fast but surely England cannot dispense with Stewart's services just yet.

The Surrey man went from 86 to 102 by hitting four successive Dilhara Fernando deliveries to the fence.

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Stewart said: "It was just one of those things. He bowled a couple of short ones and pitched the next two up."

Pressed on the Foster issue, Stewart said: "James Foster's a good lad, I get on well with him, but there have always been 17 other keepers after my place.

Giles, who gave Stewart valuable support, is caught
Giles, who gave Stewart fine support, is caught

"Now we will wait and see what happens for the India Tests. All you can do is perform and I've performed."

Many cricket fans at the ground were tempted by the giant screens showing England's crucial World Cup win against Denmark.

And though they missed much of Stewart's innings, the batsman saw some of the football.

"When I was not on strike I could watch the football. But I had a job to do when I was on strike.

"I've always said I'd rather play in front of 80,000 rather than eighty but that's just the way it is.

"Something similar happened when we were winning at Edgbaston on the Sunday and England were playing Sweden.

"But the crowd came back and supported us well once the football was over."

Stewart's innings of 123 came in the Test he equalled Graham Gooch's record of 118 appearances for England.