SRI LANKA were comfortably beaten at the Home of Cricket thanks in part to two centuries from England players, and firstly an unbeaten 113 from Alec Stewart.

This was Stewart’s first Test century, before he went on to make another fourteen in his England career, and it was an important one too, with England in relative trouble at 183 for 6. Stewart refused to be put off his stride and anchored the innings, hitting fourteen fours in his 240-ball knock to steer England to 282 all out.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 224 in their first innings but when England took to the crease again, a fine 174 from Graham Gooch helped them to 364 for 3 declared and the tourists were bowled out for 285 in their pursuit of an unlikely 423 to win.

Stewart’s knock was not only important in the context of the match, but it also kick-started the future England captain’s Test career, as he went on to score another three centuries in his next four matches.