Cricket: Shambolic show as England crash; Test hopes destroyed by Vaas in new batting nightmare.

Byline: By RICHARD GIBSON

ENGLAND'S hopes of levelling the series in Sri Lanka were left in tatters on the third day of a final Test they will now do well to save.

After Sri Lanka declared for the third time in as many innings this series on 499-8, England lost six wickets for 29.

Captain Michael Vaughan was among four pre-lunch wickets and two more incisions by left-armer Chaminda Vaas shortly after the interval emphasised the gulf between the two teams.

When rain halted play midway through the afternoon session, seventh wicket duo Paul Collingwood and Ryan Sidebottom had more than doubled the score at 61-6.

Having won the toss on a damp pitch, England were disappointed with how they used the new ball and Sri Lanka showed them how things should be done with a clinical display.

Vaughan misjudged a delivery from Vaas which trapped him leg before in the third over. Ian Bell was run out in the next by Tillakaratne Dilshan's direct hit at the non-striker's end after Alastair Cook initially called for a single.

Left-armer Vaas, who earlier hit a destructive 90, was extracting plenty of movement both in the air and off the pitch and, after Cook edged short of the slip cordon, umpire Asad Rauf adjudged a thinner nick next ball.

The best delivery of a chaotic eight-over spell before lunch was reserved for Kevin Pietersen, however, as a bouncer which caused the batsman to jump and sway evasively was deemed to have brushed a glove on its way through to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Ravi Bopara, who spent the morning off the field with a cut to his left hand, appeared impaired by the injury, unable to grip the bat properly as he lobbed to mid-on.

And Vaas claimed his fourth wicket in his next over when Matt Prior was bowled by one which kept low.

It was England's keeper who was centre of attention earlier.

Prior, who missed a couple of chances yesterday, allowed Ma-hela Jayawardene a further life on his way to an unbeaten 213.

Left-armer Sidebottom was once again the unlucky bowler as Jayawardene, on 154, nicked one low to Prior's right but he spilled it.

CAPTION(S):

STUNNER: Kevin Pietersen leaves the field after being dismissed by Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga during the third test in Galle