Marvan Atapattu’s 185 against England at Lord’s in 2002 underpinned Sri Lanka’s highest Test Match total at the Home of Cricket, in the opening match of at three-match series.

With a good pitch and early season conditions more akin to later in the summer, Sri Lanka, who had arrived in England on the back of nine consecutive Test Match wins, chose to bat and made their highest ever score at Lord’s.

Atapattu, opening the batting, put on 206 for the third wicket with Mahela Jayawardene, who made 107, and batted throughout the first day, reaching the close unbeaten on 133.

He picked up where he left off on the second morning, flicking the first delivery of the day from Matthew Hoggard away for four, before going on to complete his 150. Atapattu was particularly strong through square leg and extra cover and when he departed for 185, he’d added 146 for the fourth wicket with Aravinda de Silva.

Sri Lanka declared on 555 for 8 but despite dismissing England for 275, the hosts fought back in their second innings to secure a draw.