Batty played another disciplined innings

Batty, one of the heroes of the drawn second Test, said: "I don't see there's a massive amount of pressure on us."

After a draw in the series opener, Sri Lanka failed to see off England in Kandy, and the sides resume in Colombo with all still to play for.

Batty said: "If we back were in England and not bowling people out consistently like that, we would be eaten alive."

Batty made another vital contribution with the bat on Sunday as England, inspired by captain Michael Vaughan's marathon century, held out for the second successive weekend.

Needing to resist a whole three sessions, having resumed the final day on 89 for two, the tourists blocked out an incredible 104 overs - the majority from Sri Lanka star turn Muttiah Muralitharan.

He managed only four wickets in his 56 overs as England closed out the contest at the Asgiriya Stadium on 285 for seven.

Murali was bowling really well with the old ball and I think I took the correct gamble in not taking the new one Sri Lanka skipper Hashan Tillekeratne

Batty said: "I think there's an awful lot of pressure on their boys now."

Batty's determined approach at the crease has kept the tourists level after two Tests.

During the first Test at Galle, the 26-year-old faced 70 deliveries as Sri Lanka failed in their victory bid by a solitary wicket.

And he remained unbeaten on 25 during a stand with Chris Read spanning one and a half hours at Kandy.

Concentration against Murali has proved a key to both Batty's and the team's success.

"Every ball, I was thinking about smacking it into the railway line, but you have to take a step back and remember you are here to do a job for England and try and bat out," said Batty.

Sri Lanka might have been taking a 1-0 lead into the match at the SSC ground on Thursday, but for Vaughan's 333-ball vigil, which began in the final session of the fourth day.

Opposite number Hashan Tillekeratne said: "Michael played a brilliant innings and when we got him out we thought we were going to win.

Tillekeratne defended his decision not to take the new ball for 41 overs, by which time Batty and Read were well set.

"Murali was bowling really well with the old ball and I think I took the correct gamble in not taking the new one," argued the Sri Lankan skipper.