England Win Sri Lanka Warm-up Match

A successful fourth innings run chase gave England a second win on their tour of Sri Lanka.

Celebrations were short-lived, however, as concerns arose over Ravi Bopara's fitness and Ian Bell's struggling form ahead of Monday's first Test in Galle.

Bopara suffered a side strain in the first innings against the Development XI in Colombo which means he is unlikely to bowl in the Test series. "He will be available for selection as a specialist batsman," said an ECB spokesman.

But with scorching conditions, England's need for relief bowlers could hamper his selection prospects.

Despite the injury, Bopara managed to contribute 66 runs in the second innings as England scored 360-6 to seal the match. Three other batsmen hit half-centuries, with Kevin Pietersen (52), Matt Prior (84) and Samit Patel (72) making valuable contributions to the four-wicket win.

Sri Lanka Development XI began the three-day match well, hitting 431 in their first innings. Stuart Broad took three wickets, while Chamara Silva hit 163 before being caught by Trott off Steven Finn's bowling.

England then batted for 66 overs as they declared on 272-4 after captain Andrew Strauss (100) and fellow opener Jonathan Trott (101) retired with centuries. Ian Bell was out for 14.

The hosts then declared on 199-4, seeking to bowl England out on the final day after setting a run target of 359.

England left Strauss and Trott in the pavillion in their final innings in order to give Bell and Pietersen more time at the crease.

Things started well, with Pietersen collecting three fours down the ground in the first two overs and Bell hitting two drives to the cover boundary. But Bell was gone in the fifth over. The off-form Warwickshire man's top score in 2012 still stands at 29.

Other batsmen had more luck. Matt Prior hit 13 fours before he was out on 84.

Samit Patel, who had bowled out the Development XI's captain in the first innings, did his chances of making the Test team no harm with a 72 knock.

Once Lakshitha upended Patel's off stump, it was left to Stuart Broad (17 not out) and Graham Swann, who scored 31 off 12 balls, to see the visitors over the line.