Bopara shines but England collapse

Test hopeful Bopara top-scored with 47 to advance his claims for a place in the first match in Kandy, but there were few other contributions of note at the Nondescripts Cricket Club.

Left with only the tail for company, Bopara attempted to make hay while he could, only to perish going for a third boundary in one over - and moments later England were dismissed for a paltry 134.

To make matters worse, Bopara was lined up to take the new ball due to James Anderson suffering discomfort in his left ankle - Steve Harmison was already ruled out of bowling due to a back spasm.

Captain Michael Vaughan, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen all succumbed to the new ball to leave the response to the hosts' 298 for nine in disarray.

Although Alastair Cook and Owais Shah shored things up until shortly before lunch, the dismissal of the former, to the innings' first over of spin, brought Bopara to the crease at 61 for four.

Left-arm duo Sujeewa de Silva and Chanaka Welegedara created the early havoc, swinging the ball at pace to earn their early dismissals.

Essex's Bopara survived a confident lbw shout second ball to prosper after lunch by working the ball into gaps. But he was forced to change the pace of his innings after Shah was bowled, driving loosely at Ishara Amerasinghe.

With Harmison not risked due to his back twinge, things were wrapped up when Anderson was yorked by Welegedara.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Steve Harmison received treatment throughout the morning and went swimming after lunch in a bid to loosen his stiff lower back, after pulling up in mid-over on Sunday.