Rain frustrates England at Lord’s

However, the all-rounder accepted England were a much improved one-day team from the side that Sri Lanka thrashed by nine wickets at a year ago s World Cup in Wellington.

Karunaratne was 19 not out and Silva unbeaten on 12.

England therefore fancied their chances of inflicting their first whitewash in any series of three matches or more since they beat India 4-0 in 2011.

After rain meant there was no play before lunch, England resumed on 109/4, a lead of 237 runs.

Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales made a Test-best 94 – the third time this series he has made a fifty but not gone on to a hundred.

The third and final cricket Test between England and Sri Lanka ended in a draw after persistent rain allowed little more than 12 overs of play on the last day at Lord’s.

It leaves Monday’s extended final day nicely poised with Sri Lanka facing the tallest of orders to score the runs that would secure a consolation victory.

As Sri Lanka players surveyed the scene, there was no sign of the national flag that had been draped across their dressing room balcony on Sunday in protest at a wrongly called no-ball that denied them a key wicket.

“To come back and bowl them out for 288 was a very good effort”, England fast bowler Steven Finn, who returned to form with three for 59, told Sky Sports.

No sooner had Silva been dismissed than the umpires took the players off the field after just 18 minutes’ play, with left-hander Karunaratne 27 not out.

New batsman Mendis was fortunate when, trying to evade a Broad bouncer, a top edge sailed over Bairstow’s head for four.

But Vince was out for a golden duck as he deliberately played no shot to a Pradeep delivery that nipped back down the Lord’s slope and knocked over his off stump.

Both Hales (94) and Alastair Cook had collector’s-item good fortune on their side, via DRS and playing conditions, before England declared on 233 for seven on day four of the third Test.

Alastair Cook called a premature close to England’s innings after a personal score of 49 not out.

While Test specialist Cook prepares for Pakistan, wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow will be looking to take his red-ball form into the intervening five one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.

But he will still be having a short break while Morgan’s men seek to turn 10-2 into outright victory – two points are available for each white-ball match – in the inaugural edition of Andrew Strauss’ Super Series brainchild.