Sri Lanka’s desperate search for an opening combination seems to have ended, although temporarily, with left-handed opener Michael Vandort establishing himself at the top of the order with a hundred.

Throughout Sri Lanka’s tour of England, the management tried out various combinations and even contemplated asking Tilan Samaraweera to face the new ball. After Jehan Mubarak failed in the first Test at Lord’s and then in the warm up game ahead of the second Test in Sussex, the tourists were confused as to what combination they should play in Edgbaston. They had two options: Either to bring in veteran Sanath Jayasuriya or go with Michael Vandort.

The tall left-hander came good in Sri Lanka’s second innings and was by far the best batsman in a losing contest. Despite the six-wicket defeat, the match unearthed a new opener for Sri Lanka, who batted well against a strong attack in alien conditions, and naturally, his confidence has received a boost.

"Every hundred is important and to get one against England felt really good. It has boosted my confidence and has given me the self belief that I can score runs in the international arena against any attack," Vandort told journalists in Birmingham on Tuesday.

One regret though is, quite obviously, losing the game. Vandort, who batted for over six hours when wickets kept falling at the other end, was last man out, having made 105. "I think I should have gone on without getting out at 105. Even when I was batting with Murali, I thought I could just get twos and get another 30 to 40 runs and that would have made it an interesting contest."

He said the tour of England has taught him the virtue of patience with bowlers dominating the early part of the summer with the ball swinging around.

"I am just getting into the side and establishing myself. I have shown some patience, which I haven’t shown in the past, even in club cricket. It gives me a certain amount of satisfaction, because concentration power was something that I lacked a couple of years back."

"Sandy Gordon has been speaking to us in England. It’s good to have a psychologist to guide us when we are in a tough situation," he added.

Vandort also pointed out that surviving the new ball was the toughest thing when playing in England. "No matter what team you play against, there are tough situations with sledging and all sorts of things. Sometimes it puts pressure on the players. It was difficult at certain stages but as my innings progressed it became easier. I think playing the new ball is very crucial in these conditions and Matthew Hoggard can be quite dangerous."