Andrew Strauss praised Sri Lanka's batsmen after they saved the Rose Bowl Test on the final day.
Sri Lanka rearguard denies England a 2-0 series victory
England captain Andrew Strauss praised the Sri Lankan batsmen after they held firm in the last Test of the three-match series, which England won 1-0.
With England needing to pick up seven wickets before chasing down a total, the tourists only lost two wickets to easily save the inaugural Rose Bowl Test.
Stand-in Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara scored an impressive century and, although he fell in late afternoon, rain ensured no further play was possible after tea.
"We got ourselves in a position to go on and win the game but fair play to Sangakkara especially, the Sri Lankans blunted our attack - we didn't make the inroads we needed to make," he told
Sky Sports.
"We were a little frustrated not to take a 2-0 win, I think we got ourselves into good positions in all three Test matches and in a way that two-hour session in Cardiff was good enough to get us one result."
Hard work
Man-of-the-match - and series - Chris Tremlett believes hard work is the key to maintaining his form and keeping hold of the new ball.
Tremlett took seven wickets during the match and is up to 10th in the ICC Test bowling rankings.
He now wants to become more consistent after receiving the new ball at the start of the second innings.
"I hope so, just keep putting in consistent performances is what im trying to do, moving up the ladder is great but I want to keep improving," he said.
"It is tough competition with the lads and if I keep working hard I'll keep doing what I'm doing."
Transition
Sangakarra, who scored 119 in the second innings at the Rose Bowl, highlighted the same two-hour spell in Cardiff - in which England skittled out the visitors for 82 - as a turning point in the entire series.
He said: "None of us were really switched on there, we could have had a 0-0 Test series. There is a lot of regret but lessons were learned.
"We have got to appreciate the effort, we are a side in transition and we need to keep building.
"There were various situations that could have played out today but we batted with our heads held high and walked away with a good result."
