England suffer early setbacks

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Humbled by 119 runs in Monday's first match in the series, the tourists were keen to respond immediately to prevent Sri Lanka gaining an unstoppable momentum.

But after winning the toss and deciding to bat first, England limped to 63 for four after the first 20 overs of their innings after Alastair Cook (one), Ian Bell (18), Phil Mustard (28) and key man Kevin Pietersen (12) all fell cheaply.

England had named an unchanged side as they attempted to make amends for Monday's dismal performance, but started just as badly with opener Cook falling in the third over of the day. Top-scorer on Monday with a battling 46, Cook edged left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas behind and Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene took a brilliant diving catch at slip.

Warwickshire batsman Bell had started promisingly by hitting England's first boundary of the innings, a cover drive for four off fast bowler Lasith Malinga. But he survived a dropped chance when attempting to force Vaas off the front foot after reaching just six, edging low to Jayawardene at slip who was this time unable to hang onto the chance.

It was not a miss which cost Sri Lanka badly with Bell going on to reach 18 before falling to the second ball from seamer Farveez Maharoof. Bell attempted to hit the ball through mid-wicket, but was beaten off the seam and umpire Rudi Koertzen upheld Sri Lanka's appeal after it hit him halfway up the pads.

At 25 for two in the eighth over, England were in danger of collapsing again but both Pietersen and Mustard resisted their natural inclination for attacking strokeplay to try and build a platform.

However, after they took the score to 56 the duo fell in quick succession.

Mustard had been looking to keep the scoreboard ticking over with singles, but it proved his downfall as he skied a leading edge to Jehan Muburak at cover when trying to angle the ball away to fine leg.

And Pietersen fell a few balls later when he could only mis-time a pull shot straight to Jayawardene at mid-wicket off the bowling off Dilhara Fernando.