Rain Interrupts England's Toil in Tour Opener

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. 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 Upul Tharanga, unbeaten on 92, and Chamara Kapugedera, still there on 48, were reprieved, as England rotated a seven-man attack. It did not include Steve Harmison, who flew in from South Africa this morning - accompanied by bowling coach Ottis Gibson.

Harmison witnessed a double breakthrough in the afternoon session shortly after arriving at the Colombo Cricket Club. His participation will come on the final two days of the contest.

Stuart Broad claimed the first wicket of this trip as England's bowlers were given an immediate chance to acclimatise. There is little time to stake a claim for the upcoming three-match series, and coach Peter Moore's admits the selection tussle is completely open. 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, attempting to withdraw his hands from the line of a short one.

That was the solitary success in the morning session, although Broad would have doubled his wicket tally had Bell managed to hold on to a flash to gully from Malinda Warnapura.

Two cobras provided the lunchtime entertainment - Broad was made aware of the snakes' presence yards from the boundary edge late in the morning session, and the majority of the players made for the area when the umpires called lunch. Both had slid from vision by the time the crowd gathered. But Broad's fellow seamer Matthew Hoggard, who wanted to be a vet as a youngster, returned later on in an attempt to get a glimpse.

Ryan Sidebottom, who shared the new ball with Hoggard, delivered a fine afternoon spell - which included the removal of left-hander Warnapura, trapped lbw on the back foot. Sri Lanka's second string were then reduced to 126 for three in the next over when home captain Tillekeratne Dilshan skied to deep cover off Monty Panesar.

It was a good comeback from left-arm spinner Panesar, who endured a nightmare start - conceding five fours in all, from Warnapura's bat, the first couple edged but the latter three all clattered through the covers off the back foot.

But a disciplined contribution from Tharanga, flown back early from the tour of Australia to play in this match, pressed his claim for a Test recall - further strengthened by Marvan Atapattu announcing his retirement today. His escape came on 62 when a slice to slip off Panesar was floored by Collingwood.

James Anderson, still suffering stiffness in his back, came on first change this morning but did not return until after tea. When he did he found the edge of Kapugedera's bat, only for Cook to put down a regulation chance in the gully. Left-armer Sidebottom enjoyed a highly successful first trip here this winter, claiming the man-of-the-series award in a 3-2 victory in the one-dayers. But his return began with an official warning for running on the pitch in only his second over.

England have been granted to employ all 16 members of their touring party during the three-day match, and reserve wicketkeeper Phil Mustard took over behind the stumps for the final session.