Anderson returns to set up run chase

With fellow paceman Steve Harmison elsewhere in the Sri Lankan capital undergoing a scan on his back, Anderson wrapped up the President's XI innings within five minutes on the final morning to allay fears about his injured ankle ahead of Saturday's first Test.

Captain Michael Vaughan then raced England towards their 246-run victory target at the Nondescripts Cricket Club, and at lunch they were 88 for two.

Earlier, in the first full over of the day, Anderson caught Chanaka Welegedara with a bouncer which brushed the batsman's gloves on the way through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, to end the hosts' second innings for 81.

Just as in the previous warm-up match, Vaughan looked in prime form, the first of three boundaries in one over from left-armer Sujeewa de Silva - a back-foot drive down the ground - reminiscent of his halcyon period of 2002-03.

But, having struck 28 out of a score of 50, he succumbed attacking Jehan Mubarak's gentle medium pace - advancing down the pitch to hit straight the ball sliced off the bat straight to point.

Ian Bell also perished in attack mode when, in going aerial against off-spinner Tillekaratne Dilshan, he mis-hit to deep mid-on.

That gave Kevin Pietersen ample opportunity to make a score, having not managed to get to double figures in his first two innings of the tour.

He broke that statistic in the over before the interval, which he reached alongside Alastair Cook (35 not out).

Harmison, 29, was absent from the ground as he had been sent for further investigation into the back spasm he incurred on the first day.