The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen hit half-centuries as England won their final warm-up match in Sri Lanka.

James Anderson recovered from his ankle knock to take the final wicket, and bowl the Board President's XI out for 81, setting England 246 to win.

Cook (58) and Michael Vaughan (28) put on 50 for the first wicket, before Cook and Pietersen (59) added 65.

The five-wicket victory in Colombo came after England were bowled out for 134 on Monday to concede a 165-run lead.

Matthew Hoggard was the only specialist seamer operating when the President's XI began their second innings after tea on Monday, with Anderson and Steve Harmison out of action.

Anderson wrapped up the innings in the first full over of the day when a bouncer to Chanaka Welegedara was gloved to Matt Prior.

Cook and Vaughan then gave England a fast start.

But it was a shame Vaughan was not able to produce a more substantial innings after collecting three boundaries in one over from Sujeewa de Silva, including an exquisite back-foot drive.

With the team half-century posted as early as the 10th over, home team skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was forced to turn to the part-time medium pace of Jehan Mubarak.

The change worked, as an over-confident Vaughan advanced down the track and sliced to backward point.

Ian Bell lasted just 19 balls, perishing as he tried to hit off-spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan over the infield, only to pick out mid-on.

His lack of runs was a worry given that he was one of many batsmen to fail in the first innings.

But Pietersen was in even more desperate need of some time in the middle after scores of four and one in his two previous innings.

He hit an early boundary to be 10 not out in the lunchtime score of 88-2, and expanded his repertoire in the afternoon session.

Soon after Cook had reached his half-century, Pietersen reverse-swept a six over point off the off-spinner Dilshan.

Pietersen timed the ball impressively, hitting five other boundaries in a polished 59.