Rain frustrates England and Sri Lanka in Lord's Test

Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales made a Test-best 94 - the third time this series he has made a fifty but not gone on to a hundred.

Bairstow has been in superb batting form since making 150 not out his maiden Test century, against South Africa in Cape Town in January.

Tucker received support from Hales, who said: "I have sympathy with Rod Tucker, when you think how fast the game moves and how close it was".

In the meantime, Sri Lanka will use their frustration as motivation to chase down their target of 362 - a Lord's record - on the final day.

James Anderson struck in the fourth over of the day when Kaushal Silva (16), padding up after failing to pick an inswinger, going against the Lord's slope, was leg-before. I feel like I'm striking it well, and the times I've been in the squads I feel like I've done OK.

Hales, who had twice previously in this series got within striking distance of a first Test hundred, finally departed nearly on the stroke of tea after rain had prevented play until 2.40pm.

"It's never nice being dropped but that really spurred me on to try and get back in the side and to prove a point", said Bairstow.

"I'm really pleased", he added.

However, Sri Lanka unfurled their national flag on the visiting balcony in protest, which Lord's officials asked them to take it down as it breached ground regulations.

Nevertheless, Cook was able to take great satisfaction from a dominant display across a one-sided series.

England's declaration on 7-233 had left all results possible and the likelihood of an intriguing culmination to a series already wrapped up by Alastair Cook's team with crushing wins at Headingley and Chester-le-Street.

Ford said Tucker had apologised for the mistake and the coach was of the view that front-foot no-ball calls should be taken out of the on-field umpire's hand. Sri Lanka opted against a review but replays suggested a challenge would have succeeded.

The latest plan was to resume play at 410pm, with one session of 47 overs scheduled. - but d ark clouds were still threatening.

"We re ready for them".

"You're going to have to ask Trevor, after showing the guys how to hit a soft ball miles over the ropes!" he said, with a smile, before confirming earnest preparation will start soon for four Tests against Pakistan which begin back here next month.

Sri Lanka continue their tour with two one-day internationals against Ireland in Dublin on Thursday and Saturday before facing England in a five-match ODI series.