England's final test match of the winter results in a crucial win.

After three long months and four dreadful test performances, England finally registered their first test match success of the winter. In the end, a similar situation to that of the second test match in Dubai against Pakistan, where a target of 145 proved too much for England, however this time around a much more improved and confident display enabled them to chase down a target of 94 to win the match, level the series and remain at the summit of the test rankings.  

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen kept their nerve after an initial brief wobble with a terrific partnership of 63, full of aggressive intent to see England over the line with a crucial test match victory on day five in Colombo. After dismissing Sri Lanka for 278 with Graeme Swann finishing with 6 for 106, England started the run chase in the worst possible way with captain Andrew Strauss being bowled in the first over before Jonathon Trott fell LBW shortly after. But Cook (49no) and Pietersen, with a rapid 42, wrapped up the victory which levels the two-match series and keeps England top of the world rankings.

The tourists only needed one session in the morning to take the four wickets required to set up their victory chase. However dropped catches by Cook at short leg allowed Angelo Mathews to shepherd the tail and prolong Sri Lanka’s second innings longer then it should have been. Resuming on 218 – 6, leading England by 33 runs, Mahela Jayawardene looked well set, as he has done all series and was always going to be the key wicket. However Swann produced a virtually unplayable delivery to dismiss the Sri Lankan captain for 64 with a ball that turned sharp in the rough before being gloved to Cook to take a simple catch, making up for the missed chances earlier.    

Prasanna Jayawardene soon followed his captain, bowled around his legs attempting a sweep shot off Swann, gifting the off spinner his sixth wicket in the innings and his tenth in the match, the second time he has achieved the feat. However any hopes England had of finishing off the Sri Lankan tail quickly were dashed with a quality knock by Mathews, who cashed in on his early luck. The middle order batsman, with aggressive shot selection and discipline extended his teams lead before Samit Patel had Rangana Herath caught at slip for two and Steven Finn finished the Sri Lankan innings, dismissing Mathews for 46, caught at midwicket off a slow delivery just before lunch.

England’s run chase was subject to trial by spin, with the hosts keen to prey on any bad memories from Abu Dhabi when Strauss’s side were dismissed for 72 against Pakistan. After Strauss was bowled in the first over off Tillakaratne Dilshan for a duck playing an indecisive shot, there must have been some butterflies in the tourist’s dressing room. Those apprehensions were made worse when the usually reliable Trott was removed LBW with the help of the DRS system for just five with 63 runs still needed for victory.  

However both Cook and Pietersen took the game by the scruff of the neck to lead England to their first test victory of a difficult winter. Cook produced a classy innings, full of the skill and ability, which has seen him become one the finest test and one day batsman in the world. His early positive intent set the tone with a series of boundaries and laying the platform for man of the match Pietersen to finish it off in style. The Surrey batsman smashed Herath back over his head for six and drilled the next ball for four more runs. Both batsmen continued to motor well before, with just three runs required Pietersen hit an almighty blow into the stands for a maximum to seal victory.

It means England remain the number one test team in the world heading into their summer challenges, starting with a test series against the West Indies before a mouth watering contest between the team desperate to take their number one crown, South Africa.