Sri Lanka made a steady start to be 35 without loss against England at tea on a rain-marred opening day of the first Test at Sophia Garden in Cardiff on Thursday.
Ashes star James Anderson, after Sri Lanka won the toss and batted, produced a miserly opening spell of seven overs for seven runs, including two maidens, but was unable to induce a chance despite repeatedly beating the bat. Anderson appealed for a catch by Andrew Strauss at slip when opener Tharanga Paranavitana had made 16 but this was turned down.
Meanwhile first change Chris Tremlett's four overs cost just five runs.
But Stuart Broad, playing his first Test since a stomach injury in November cut short his Ashes involvement, was more expensive. His first four overs cost 18 runs, with Paranavitana leg-glancing him for four and Tillakaratne Dilshan off-driving him for a boundary. And when Broad returned, Dilshan punished a wide ball for four.
Rain, which washed out the morning session and half the second, meant only 48 overs were due to be bowled on the first day.
{{/usCountry}}Rain, which washed out the morning session and half the second, meant only 48 overs were due to be bowled on the first day.
{{/usCountry}}Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 93/1 (Dilshan 50) vs England.