England frustrate Murali

Thwarted by the wet weather on the second day of the opening Test at Asgiriya, 35-year-old Muralitharan proved unsuccessful for more than one hour as England progressed to 232 for six.

Muralitharan drew level with previous number one Shane Warne yesterday with four wickets before a huge deluge washed out the latter half of the second day's scheduled play.

Surprisingly few locals turned up to witness the hometown hero's achievement, although those that did clapped his every delivery as he practised on the outfield prior this mornings start.

Ryan Sidebottom, the first member of England's lengthy tail, put the tourists into credit with an on-drive for four off Dilhara Fernando in the opening over of the day.

Having begun on 186 for six, a deficit of two runs, England made steady progress as Paul Collingwood showed trust in his seventh-wicket partner.

Sidebottom survived one Muralitharan over last night and fought gamely, striking only the third boundary off the off-spinner in the innings when he whipped the ball through midwicket, which also brought up the team's 200.

England's lower order have been challenged to bat for 60 balls an innings by the team management in a bid to eke out precious runs in support of the batsmen. Sidebottom surpassed that target in moving into the 20s while Collingwood was unbeaten on 36, an innings which became increasing adventurous with time.