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Cricket

Rain forces draw in second Test

13/12/2007

England and Sri Lanka have drawn the second Test in Colombo after the final day's play ended early due to heavy rain.

The tourists had reached 250-3 in their second innings, replying to Sri Lanka's 548-9 declared, after scoring 351 all out in the first outing.

All of England's top order contributed on day five, with half-centuries from Alastair Cook (62), Michael Vaughan (61) and Ian Bell (54) while Kevin Pietersen (45 not out) and Paul Collingwood (23 not out) looked well set at the crease.

A result was always unlikely with England not beginning their second innings until after tea on the fourth day.

Vaughan and Cook batted out until the end of play yesterday and went on to share a century partnership for the first wicket this morning, before the captain was caught and bowled by Dilhara Fernando.

Cook was joined by Bell in the middle and the pair took the score to 152-1 at lunch. However the opener edged behind off the first ball after the break from Chamara Silva.

Another half-century partnership from Bell and Pietersen followed before the number three holed out to Michael Vandort off the spin of Muttiah Muralitharan, although by that stage the draw was a certainty.

And so it proved as the game ended when the heavens opened and the covers came on, ending play for the day.

The result means England keep their hopes of drawing the series alive as they head to Galle for the third and final Test next week.