Sri Lanka v England: First day of tourists' final warm-up match washed out

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Joe RootImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

England captain Joe Root scored a century in his side's first warm-up match

England's preparations for the Test series in Sri Lanka were disrupted as the opening day of their final warm-up match was washed out.

The England players did not even travel to the ground in Colombo, where they are due to face a Sri Lanka Board President's XI in a two-day game.

Should the match begin on Friday, both sides will bat for 50 overs - but further rain is forecast.

England's first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle begins on 6 November.

The tourists have played just two days of red-ball cricket since arriving, with Somerset spinner Jack Leach yet to feature in a match.

"I know that I have to wait my turn. We've got a lot of good bowlers," Leach, 27, told BBC Sport.

"You get a bit of itchy feet. But I've been working hard in the nets bowling a lot and feeling good."

England have not won a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2001, when they won 2-1.

It is understood England officials are talking to the Sri Lankan Cricket Board after reports the team hotel, external for the second Test in Pallekelle is overbooked.

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