England ride on Vaughan-Cook stand

Colombo: England scored 258 for five by stumps on the first day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka, with Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook sharing a 133-run opening partnership.

Vaughan scored 87 for his 16th half-century, including 12 boundaries, justifying his decision for England to bat. Cook was out for 81.

Off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who failed to make a breakthrough off eight overs in the morning, had a lucky break after lunch when Vaughan tried to steer the ball to the on-side and was caught between the legs of silly mid-on fielder Jehan Mubarak.

At tea, England was 167-1 with Cook and Ian Bell at the crease.

Muralitharan dismissed Bell (15) soon after tea, caught bat and pad by Mubarak.

With the total at 171, Kevin Pietersen (one) was unlucky to be ruled out caught at slip off left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas.

Television replays appeared to show that first slip fielder Chamara Silva had not quite made the catch, before scooping it in the air for Kumar Sangakkara to take it on the rebound at second slip .

A reluctant Pietersen left the field after Australian umpire Daryl Harper ruled him out without seeking help from the TV umpire.

Cook got a second chance on eight when Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene dropped him at slip off a ball from Dilhara Fernando. After hitting a total of eight boundaries, Cook was finally dismissed leg before wicket to a ball from pace bowler Lasith Malinga that appeared to swing down the leg side.

Malinga struck with the next ball, dismissing Ravi Bopara with a fast yorker to leave England at 237-5, but failed to get his hat trick against new batsman Matthew Prior.

England lost the first test in the three-match series by 88 runs.

Sri Lanka replaced its retired opener Sanath Jayasuriya with Upul Tharanga for the second test, while England handed Stuart Broad his first test cap after dropping pace bowler James Anderson.

The visitors also brought in Steve Harmison for Matthew Hoggard, who is injured.

Police arrested an English cricket supporter after he ran across the playing field naked during the last session's play.

The streaker left the pitch but was later caught by police and arrested. Media reports said it was the first time a streaker has invaded a cricket field in Sri Lanka.

Teams:

England: Michael Vaughan (capt), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Matthew Prior (wicket-keeper), Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar, Steve Harmison, Stuart Broad.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Michael Vandort, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (wicket-keeper), Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Daryl Harper (Aus); TV umpire: Gamini Silva (SL))

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)