Vaughan urges caution

More heavy rain on Monday afternoon in the south of Sri Lanka encouraged match officials to put the scheduled start time of an emotional and historic Test back two hours to 12pm.

"The team has to be in a good position to push for the win and you don't get that by being too aggressive on day one," said Vaughan. "You can't get too far ahead of yourself."

He added: "You really do have to put everything in place to let the game take its natural course on days four and five."

Only victory for England can preserve their status as the second-best side in the Test rankings by virtue of a 1-1 draw at the newly-developed international ground, which was devastated by the 2004 tsunami.

Although both teams were able to practise on the ground on Monday - regular evening downpours left expansive boggy patches on previous days - concerns remained over whether playing conditions could be up to Test standard in time.

Vaughan spent the early minutes of England's midday session conversing with International Cricket Council match referee Jeff Crowe and umpires Asad Rauf and Daryl Harper.

The wet weather has played havoc with preparation of the ground and the match officials spent the morning surveying an unkempt outfield - not dry enough to cut - and a pitch still worryingly damp despite hours of baking under the hot sun.

At one stage the idea of putting back the match a whole 24 hours was considered, although that would have created logistical problems with both travel, so close to Christmas, and television scheduling.

Vaughan added: "As we speak it is not in ideal condition but there is a bigger picture for the game of cricket, we just want to get out there and play."