From giant snakes to a swarm of bees! England are floored in Sri Lanka

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First it was giant snakes which has Michael Vaughan's men take evasive action after an eight-foot cobra was spotted slithering near the boundary duing a warm-up match in Colombo.

Hitting the deck: Sri Lankan batsmen, England fielders and umpires all lie on the ground as swarm of insects stops play during the first Test

And today England were forced to dive for cover after a swam of bees invaded the oufield during the final session of the fourth day.

But then the first Test is being held in Kandy.

The troublesome bees at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara was all smiles but then he had just taken the sting out of the bowlers by smashing his way to 152 out of Sri Lanka's 442 for eight declared

But Paul Collingwood and Monty Panesar were taking no chances and kept their heads down.

Bad light stopped play with England on 9-1, needing an improbable 341 for victory.

Sangakkara looks on as England players hit the deck

"I think common sense won the day," said England coach Peter Moores.

"Everyone out there heard them and saw them and hit the deck."

Monty Panesar lies on the ground as a swarm of insects stops play during the first Test