Fast bowler James Anderson and spinner Monty Panesar warmed up for England’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka with rich hauls in the tour opener in Colombo on Thursday. Left-armer Panesar claimed 5-37 and Anderson took 4-19 as England bowled out the Sri Lanka Board XI for 169 on the first day of the three-day practice match at the Premadasa stadium. The tourists were six for no loss off seven balls before bad light ended play early. Skipper Andrew Strauss was on six and Alastair Cook had yet to score. Anderson picked up the first four wickets before Panesar cleaned up the tail as the home team, led by Test wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, failed to settle in after electing to take first strike. Ashen Silva, a 21-year-old left-handed opener, was the lone batsman to defy the tourists, making 66 with eight boundaries before he was seventh out at the stroke of tea. Graeme Swann went wicketless in 18 overs of off-spin in which he conceded 47 runs. England received a scare before the start when pace bowler Stuart Broad, who was originally due to play, withdrew from the game after spraining his left ankle during training. Broad, who was replaced by Steven Finn, is expected to be fit for the next three-day game from March 20. The first Test will be played in Galle from March 26 and the second at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo from April 3.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Board XI 169 (Ashen Silva 66, Sachithra Serasinghe 31, James Anderson 4-19, Monty Panesar 5-37, Steven Finn 1-33). England 6-0.
