England were deprived of valuable batting practice by a violent thunderstorm in Matara shortly before tea today. Within minutes of bad light stopping play, the outfield was awash and, with no cricket possible for the rest of the day, the crowd were treated to the dubious pleasure of watching three rotund Englishmen playing cricket in the briefest underwear imaginable.

Although the bloated supporters may have begged to differ, the focus of attention today remained the fitness of Ashley Giles and, 24 hours after complaining of increased stiffness of his Achilles tendon, it remains unclear whether England will be deprived of their premier spinner in the First Test Match in Galle.

The left arm spinner practised gingerly this morning and is expected to bat in the second innings. Dean Conway, the England physiotherapist, refused to rule out the possibility of him bowling in the second innings, but does not expect to be able to make a final decision on his fitness for the Test match until Tuesday.

Conway does not believe the injury to be a long-term concern and has thus not recommended that a replacement be called for at the present juncture. This being the case and with just six days remaining until the Galle Test Match, the England management are clearly optimistic that the Warwickshire spinner can bowl through the injury, like he has done on occasion in the past three years.

The injury news on Graeme Hick was more positive and Conway expected him to be fully fit in time for the Test. Muttiah Muralitharan meanwhile is receiving treatment twice a day on his groin and although Dav Whatmore said today that, "I would be very surprised if he didn't play", the uncertainty is likely to continue until Monday or Tuesday when he returns to the nets.

In the 53 overs of play that were possible today, England impressed with a solid batting performance on a pitch that may be crumbling, but is turning very slowly. They ended the day on 174 for two, thanks largely to a battling 74 not out from Michael Atherton.

Mike Atherton Photo CricInfo

The Sri Lankan team have great respect for Atherton's grim determination and unflagging patience and, despite being clean bowled twice in the first practice game of the tour in Moratuwa, he has looked in prime form so far on the tour.

Playing with soft hands, the trio of spinners, who bowled the majority of overs today, rarely troubled him and although he hit only four boundaries in his 245-minute innings, he was quick to score whenever they erred.

Atherton was well supported by Marcus Trescothick, who scored an authoritative 38 from 85 balls before driving a low catch to Pushpakumara off the left arm spin of Niroshan Banadaratillake. The opening pair added 68 runs for the first wicket.

Nasser Hussain looked a more confident player after his 81 in Colombo, but the ball after he had shimmied down the track and clumped Puspakumara to the long on boundary for four, he was caught at mid on as he tried to repeat the shot.

Hussain's wicket proved to be the last of the day as Graham Thorpe clipped and nudged his way to 31 off 88 balls and added 81 runs with Atherton for the third wicket.

© CricInfo Ltd.