Former Harrow School pupil Gary Ballance smashed his maiden century to restore England’s advantage over Sri Lanka at Lord’s.
Ballance, who was born in Zimbabwe, notched his first ton with a big six in the final over of the day to take England to 267-8.
It pushed his side 389 runs ahead at the close of play on day four of the first test at the home of cricket.
Ballance’s heroics proved vital in keeping England in the hunt after the visitors had torn through the order and reduced the home side to 121-6.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Ballance was sensational at the crease and brought the calm, composed approach that had been missing from England’s performance.
Meanwhile, Middlesex’s Sam Robson, who scored just one run in his first innings, failed to impress with the bat yet again, making just 19, and his place in the team could be under threat already following an inauspicious debut.
