England get 113/3

Elmo Rodrigopulle - Reporting From England

In a 50 overs game that was reduced to 32, England were 113 for 3 in 17 overs at the time of our going to press in the First of Five NatWest Trophy matches at the Kennington Oval, here today.

The not out batsmen were Craig Kieswetter on 56 and Eoin Morgan on 4.

Opener Craig Kiewswetter completed his third international 50 with a huge six off Suraj Randiv. He has 3 fours and 2 sixes. Pietersen went at 109 caught by Dilshan at mid wicket off Jeevan Mendis. He made 26 in 24 balls.

Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka (R) celebrates taking the wicket of England’s Captain Alastair Cook (L) for 5 runs during the first One Day International cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval Cricket Ground in London, England, on June 28, 2011. AFP

After Kieswetter and Trott resumed when play began at 5 p.m they added a further 22 runs when Lakmal with a well directed yorker had Trott LBW for 23 in 24 balls. He hit 5 fours.

The Lankan bowlers - Malinga, Lakmal and Kulasekera bowled good line and length and were well supported by the fielders who stopped vital runs. At 66 with Pietersen on 6, he survived a run out appeal when trying to steal a single, Dilshan threw the wicket down with a direct hit from mid of.

The third umpire R.J. Bailey took ages to rule in favour of Pietersen.

After the first over from Lasith Malinga produced six runs and the next over bowled by Nuwan Kulasekera was a maiden, Malinga’s first ball of the second over produced a wicket when Alastair Cook going for a glance tickled to wicket keeper Kuamar Sangakkara who stuck out a glove and clung on to a good catch. 6-1-5.

With the light failing, the flood lights were switched on.

One thing that is for certain in England is its fickle weather. At the conclusion of the seventh over and with the England score on 35 for one the rain gods opened up and it poured down and the game was stopped. Craig Kieswetter was on 13 and Jonathon Trott 14.

When the rain ceased, the super soppers were on. But the covers had retained a lot of water.

Skipper Tillekeratne Dilshan who has the penchant for winning tosses, called correctly when Alastair Cook spun the coin and invited England to bat.

With Dilshan making his appearance, out went Thissara Perera from the Twenty20 team that beat England in Bristol. Tim Bresnan who had recovered from injury returned to the England fold.

Monday and Tuesday was very hot and it was welcome relief from the rain and cold spells that were being experienced. But the weather that has been unkind to the Sri Lankans took a turn to the worse and after the toss it turned cold and began to drizzle and the start was delayed.

Flash

England were 229 for 8 wickets in 32 overs.

Sri Lanka 09 for 2  wickets in 3 overs