Alastair Cook admits he heard the inside edge in the thrilling last over in Lord's Test

So close yet so far – the reaction of England players says it all

The 1^st Test between England and Sri Lanka came to a most dramatic end as the visitors clinched a draw with just one wicket remaining. England very nearly tasted victory when needing just one wicket to win, they got the decision in their favour on the penultimate delivery. No. 11 Nuwan Pradeep was struck in front of the wicket by Stuart Broad, but DRS saved Sri Lanka as a review revealed an inside edge.

Alastair Cook, the England captain later admitted that he heard the nick when his fellow England players appealed for a leg-before decision in the final over at Lord’s.

"I didn't really move too far from my bar stool at first slip. I did think he nicked it but they everyone started saying it was two pads, so I kind of got excited. But it was a big noise," said Cook.

Cook and England have always supported the use of technology and the left-hander revealed that it was good to get the right decision despite his team being denied a closely contested Test match.

"Yeah, I've always been a big fan of it, it's to stop the howler and unfortunately that was a big inside edge. It's gutting to take at that time.

"But there was the lbw before the new ball from Chris Jordan which was overturned because it was the right decision. As players you want the right decision, even if it's not great at this precise moment in time when it's taken a Test win away but it was the right decision," mentioned Cook.

The Sri Lankan No. 11 survived crucial five delvieries on the final over of the Test match, helping the islanders to a thrilling draw.

"At tea it looked quite a long way away but when you get so close and then get a decision which wins you a Test overturned it's quite hard to take. But it was a great Test, that's what it's about, to go all the way down to the wire and for both sides to leave nothing out there," said Cook about the match that turned on its head by a great spell of fast bowling from James Anderson. Stuart Broad did take valuable wickets that placed England on the verge of a win only to give the match a sensational finish.

The captain was also genuine in crediting his leading bowler Anderson for the inspired field placings that took effect after Tea: "I wish I could take credit, but I can't." he said.