No joy for England in rain-hit Test

England failed to break through Sri Lanka's defence on the second morning of the rain-curtailed final Test at the Galle International Stadium here.

Sri Lanka battled overcast conditions in the 90-minute session to emerge unscathed and take their overnight total of 147-4 to 211 without further loss by lunch.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene followed his 195 in the second Test with a dour unbeaten 71, scoring just 20 runs in the session.

Tillekeratne Dilshan, making a comeback after being ignored for the recent Australian tour, moved from his overnight score of seven to 45 with seven boundaries.

The fifth-wicket pair have so far put on 73 runs with Dilshan being the dominant partner.

Play began 90 minutes late due to a wet outfield caused by heavy rain on Tuesday evening, further curtailing a match in which just 55 of the stipulated 90 overs were bowled on the first day.

The wasted time frustrated England, who are seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Kandy. The second Test in Colombo was drawn.

The hosts were in no rush to push for runs, making 64 from 20 overs in the morning session.

It took 11 overs before the first boundary was scored, Jayawardene driving Matthew Hoggard through the covers.

Dilshan followed his captain with two fours in the next over from Hoggard, and earned two more boundaries when the Yorkshire seamer changed ends.