By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

Agnew's Close of Play - BBC Radio Five Live

England could not have produced a more emphatic performance than this, coming after a match at Lord's in which they had looked deficient and under prepared.

The toss was important here and, for once, Nasser Hussain won it but although the conditions helped the seam bowlers on the opening day, it was Sri Lanka's reckless approach that cost them dear.

A score of 162 simply was not enough, or an accurate reflection of the pitch, and from that moment, England were in the driving seat.

Alec Stewart stumps Chaminda Vaas as England clinch victory

They still had to put the runs on the board, however and, for the second successive time, rattled up a total in excess of 500.

Not only do imposing innings like that ensure you do not lose Tests, they often mean you win them, and now England's batsmen appear to be in the habit of building large scores, the omens look encouraging for a successful summer.

Matthew Hoggard left Lord's a dejected figure who had bowled well below his high standards.

Things did not improve immediately - it is not good news to be thrashed about by the England captain in a one-day match when you are attempting to make a case for staying in the team.

Although Hussain and Duncan Fletcher have, generally, been loyal in the past, there was absolutely no guarantee that Hoggard would be chosen for this Test.

Firing on all cylinders

Now he is the man of the match which says everything about cricket! His confidence will have been restored thanks to his best bowling figures in this country, and with Caddick also firing on all cylinders, Sri Lanka's batsmen can't expect an easy ride at Old Trafford next week.

Matthew Hoggard on his way to the man of the match award

Neither, though, can England's batsmen. Old Trafford is the most likely ground to assist Muralitharan in this series and, having played there for Lancashire, he knows the place very well.

He is nursing a couple of injuries at the moment, but he is sure to return fit and well and seriously threaten England's slender lead.

It is not often that one man can prove to be the difference between two teams, but his wicked delivery that pole-axed Mark Butcher in England's innings was a harsh reminder of what he is capable of producing in a helpful environment.

Sri Lanka will have to make all the running there, and if the conditions suit their dashing strokeplay and Murali finds some help, it should prove to be an exciting finale to the series.