Cook, Trott tons inspire England

CARDIFF, Wales (AP):

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott hit centuries as England reached 287-2 at stumps on day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Cook's knock of 129 not out came from 263 balls with 10 fours, while Trott's innings of 125 not out came from 219 balls with 11 fours.

Ajantha Mendis (1-43) was the only Sri Lanka bowler to take a wicket at Sophia Gardens, removing nightwatchman James Anderson for one.

Cook, however, said batting had not been easy.

"It was quite stodgy out there, the pitch was quite low and slow,'' he said. "We could have got bogged down so I was quite pleased with the patience and the application I could use to get through those periods, without playing wild shots.''

Heavy rains delayed the start of play with the morning session wiped out and the teams taking an early lunch.

England finally resumed the day on 47-1, in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 400.

Before England had added to their overnight score, Anderson fell to the 17th ball of the day, caught by Mahela Jayawardene in the slips. But batting conditions improved and after a tentative start, Cook and Trott went on the attack.

Cook reached 50 from 112 balls, while Trott was helped when he made his ground before a direct hit from Suranga Lakmal hit his stumps and rebounded to the boundary for four overthrows.