Tharanga makes England toil

England's toil in the heat was halted prematurely as the first day of competitive action on the tour of Sri Lanka was spectacularly hit by rain.

Thick dark clouds accompanied a thunder clap at around 4pm local time, and Michael Vaughan's team were forced from the field with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI 218 for three - thanks to Upul Tharanga's unbeaten 92 and Chamara Kapugedera (48no).

Minutes later, a huge deluge left the outfield drenched and the pavilion devoid of power.

Three dropped catches did not help England's cause - with Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook the culprits.

Both Tharanga and Kapugedera were reprieved, in fact, as England rotated a seven-man attack.

It did not include Steve Harmison, who flew in from South Africa during the morning - accompanied by bowling coach Ottis Gibson.

Stuart Broad claimed the first breakthrough as England's bowlers were given an immediate chance to acclimatise.

Broad was into the attack for the 12th over of the innings and struck in his second over when Dilruwan Perera gloved one through to the wicketkeeper.

Ryan Sidebottom, who shared the new ball with Matthew Hoggard, then delivered a fine afternoon spell, which included the removal of left-hander Malinda Warnapura, trapped leg before on the back foot.

Sri Lanka's second string were then reduced to 126 for three in the next over when home captain Tillekaratne Dilshan skied to deep cover off Monty Panesar - but Tharanga and Kapugedera combined well to frustrate the tourists.