Sri Lanka will have to struggle to save Test series

If Sri Lanka manage a series-equaling victory in the third and final Test against England at the Rose Bowl, it will be one of their most impressive wins of recent times.

And it would certainly go a long way in helping interim coach Stuart Law, the former Australia batsman, get the job on a permanent basis.

An attack missing retired greats Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, both now playing for English counties, as well as Lasith Malinga, has taken just 21 wickets in two Tests.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka head into the series finale, which starts on Thursday, without captain and in-form opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had his thumb broken by England quick Chris Tremlett while making a superb 193 in the drawn second Test at Lord's.