Andrew Strauss - 7: Whilst Trott and Swann defended him off the pitch, the captain did his talking on the field with a dogged fifty to set up England's reply and keep the wolves from the door for now.
Alastair Cook - 8: After a poor winter, the vice-captain was at his obdurate best with a painstaking 94,which gave KP the platform he needed to cut loose. With the shackles released, Cook was far more fluent in the second innings as England cantered to their winning target.
Jonathan Trott - 7: Carried on from his hundred at Galle with another resolute innings here to end a difficult and error ridden winter on a positive note.
Kevin Pietersen - 10: After wintering worse than the German Sixth Army in Stalingrad in 1942-43, the real KP returned with what must go down as one of his best Test hundreds. On a pitch where fluency eluded everyone else, he took the Sri Lankan attack apart as he brought up his 20th Test ton.
Ian Bell - 4: Kept Pietersen company in his match defining innings, but has lost all semblance of his imperious form and confidence of 2011. Could do with being allowed to rediscover his touch in the County Championship for Warwickshire.
Matt Prior - 5: Not at his best with the bat this time, but for once this winter others above him did their jobs. Was his usual reliable self with the gloves.
Samit Patel - 6: Didn't look out of place at this level for the second successive match. He was tidy if not particularly threatening with the ball and added useful runs with the bat.
Tim Bresnan - 7: Held up an end and went at only two runs per over in his first Test of the winter. Now has 11 wins from his 11 Tests, which must make him the largest leprechaun in history.
Graeme Swann - 10: Bagged a ten wicket haul to confirm once and for all his supremacy as England's premier spinner. His six wickets in the second innings included Sri Lanka's big four -Mahela Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Samaraweera and Dilshan making his contribution to the win just as significant as Pietersen's.
James Anderson - 8: Produced another potent burst with the new ball on the first morning and would seem to have a batsman as great as Sangakkara in his pocket. No one in this side deserved a win this winter more than Dale Steyn's nearest challenger as the best fast bowler in the world.
Steve Finn - 7: After a sterling performance over the winter with the drinks tray, Finn confirmed the impression from the one dayers in India and versus Pakistan that he is quicker and more venomous than before even if the pitch didn't exactly play to his strengths.
Where next?
1st Test England marks out of 10 and Sri Lanka marks out of 10
County Championship preview: Our XI to watch in 2012
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