BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | In-form Fulton blunts Sri Lanka

Tour match, Canterbury: Kent 419-6 dec drew with Sri Lanka 375

David Fulton made sure that Sri Lanka would not have an opportunity to bat again on the final day of their tour match in Canterbury.

The Kent captain made a stylish 116, and Matthew Fleming reached three figures against reserve bowling in the evening session as the match petered out.

As the first day was lost completely to the weather, a draw looked inevitable from the moment Fulton settled at the crease.

The opener, who many considered worthy of a Test place after his 1,892 first-class runs in 2001, faced just 117 deliveries, striking 17 fours and two sixes.

His dismissal, one of three for Ruchira Perera, pushed the left-arm pace bowler's claims for a seventh Test cap.

With first-choice Chaminda Vaas rested, four pace bowlers were given the chance to impress their credentials ahead of the first Test, beginning on 16 May.

Ruchira Perera
Perera took the opportunity to impress
Perera led the way, with the wickets of Robert Key and James Hockley in addition to Fulton's scalp.

But Charitha Buddika will not now be expecting a call-up after conceding 119 runs without success in 12.3 overs.

Kent scored 178 runs in the evening session, with Sanath Jayasuriya trying out his back-up bowlers before a declaration brought the match to an end.

Matthew Fleming made a 67-ball 102, with three sixes, and back-up wicket-keeper Geraint Jones an unbeaten 76 in his second first-class match.

Aravinda de Silva conceded 34 runs in three overs of his part-time off-spin.

Kent: D Fulton (capt), R Key, E Smith, M Walker, J Hockley, M Fleming, G Jones (wkt), M Patel, J Golding, M Saggers, B Trott.

Sri Lanka: S Jayasuriya (capt), M Atapattu, K Sangakkara, A de Silva, M Jayawardene, R Arnold, T Samaraweera, R Perera, C Buddika, N Zoysa, S Singh.