England levelled the one-day series in Sri Lanka at 1-1 with an excellent 65-run victory at Dambulla.

They were in deep trouble at 61-4 and 142-6 after opting to bat first but an intelligent innings of 82 by Owais Shah enabled them to post a total of 234-8.

Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad then picked up two wickets each as the home side made a poor start to their reply.

Jehan Mubarak made 44 but Graeme Swann bowled a miserly spell of 2-27 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 169.

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606

1740: Common sense would suggest Owais Shah would be man of the match - the series continues on Sunday with the third ODI, when Pranav Soneji will be your man in the live text chair.

Hope you enjoyed England's first ODI win in Sri Lanka for 25 years - every dog has his today, and today was England's - and keep an eye out for Dog #1, Dog #2 and any others at the remaining games. (Thanks to Bob Sandblom for the "dog graphic" shown here). Thank you and good evening.

"Looking at the two results, the toss looks important, but the team batting first have played the better cricket on both occasions"
Dougie Brown on TMS

"I played in a cricket match where on of our fielders got injured and a 2nd team member offered to field in his place. He handed the lead of his very large dog to another watching 2nd teamer and ran on the pitch. The dog immediately followed at pace dragging his new minder behind him. It was just like a scene from a cartoon. It took the players on the pitch five minutes to get their composure back!"
Neil in Newcastle in the TMS inbox

ENGLAND WIN BY 69 RUNS - Series level at 1-1

44.3 overs - WICKET - Fernando run out 20 - SL 169 all out
It could finally be all over as they take a quick single, and Fernando is run out by a direct hit from Captain Collingwood at the bowler's end. The third umpire confirms the inevitable, and Mubarak finishes on 44 not out as England enjoy their first ODI victory in this country for over 25 years.

44th over - SL 169-9
Mubarak runs a single to long-off, and a single for Fernando takes him to 20. Mubarak lofts Colly to Sidey at long-on, and they run two.

"Can I just poke my tongue out to all those who wanted Monty to play instead of Swanny? I feel much better now, thank you"
Mel, Oxfordshire, in the TMS inbox

43rd over - SL 165-9
Theoretically, 73 is needed from 48 balls - they can't, can they? Mubarak nudges a single off the recalled Broad, before Fernando swings and misses with an ungainly heave more in keeping with his position at number 11. He then straight-drives to long-off for a single. Mubarak continues to rotate the strike - if nothing else, it's still good batting practice for these two. And Dog #2, the black dog, is back on the field, pottering about at long leg! The ground staff don't appear bothered about getting him off. Still no pictures of Dog #2, so his stand-in returns.

42nd over - SL 162-9
Colly returns and Fernando impetuously hooks a short ball past long leg for four. He then takes a single, and the Colonel stands up to the stumps. Mubarak also takes a single - this is now the second highest stand of the innings. Fernando is batting nothing like a number 11, clubbing Colly past square leg for four to reach 18 not out - his highest ever ODI score.

41st over - SL 152-9
Swann's last over, and Fernando may be looking for promotion up the batting order as he carefully guides one down the leg side for three. Should he bat above the Slinger? A Mubarak cover-drive sails away for four, second bounce, and the 150 comes up. Swann finishes with 10-3-27-2 - sadly, the Montster may be carrying the drinks again next time around.

"My Spaniel has locks like Mr Sidebottom. If I wind him up a bit, would he stand a chance with the ladies out there?"
Will in the TMS inbox

"Would you describe this as a "dogged" English performance?"
David Russell in the TMS inbox
[Certainly a doggedly defiant last-wicket stand - MM]

40th over - SL 145-9
Sidey's last over, and Mubarak nurdles him down to third man for a single. Fernando swipes him over the cover fieldsmen for two. The next ball is quick and short outside off-stump, and Fernando lets it go. He swats the next one through the covers and takes a single to keep the strike. That's it for Sidey - he finishes with 10-2-22-2.

"Re: Harri from Lincoln's post about Dougie Brown. As you've got nothing better to do than sit around at work and think up dodgy look-a-likes, you obviously work for Lincoln City Council. Is there any chance you can get someone to come and sort the broken pavement outside my house?"
Neil, Lincoln, in the TMS inbox

39th over - SL 141-9
Swann bowls, Mubarak punches it over the infield and some rather laboured fielding from Broad allows them to run three. Swann has another huge LBW shout against Fernando off the last ball of the over as he misses a straight ball, but yet again umpire Rudi's not bothered. He's obviously not got an early dinner table booked. Replays suggest in fact it may have hit him a smidgen outside off-stump.

"Talking of pitch invasions, I once managed the farm for Downside Abbey and was taking the farm goat for a walk through the grounds. The goat was white and when it spotted a cricket match in process, rushed on to the ground to greet all the other similarly clad goats. I had to drag it off by a horn"
Rupert Stewart Cox, south west France, in the TMS inbox

"All this talk of Dogs, snakes etc etc is quite appropriate considering it's World Animal Day today!"
Dan in the TMS inbox

38th over - SL 138-9
Colly's off, Sidey returns, just a single from Mubarak is possible. Sidey goes around the wicket to right-handed Fernando, who edges an attempted yorker which bounces just in front of slip. England last won an ODI in Sri Lanka on 13 February 1982 - before six of today's XI were born!

"Winning the toss in these day-night games seems to be all important! Batting under lights in dewy damp conditions must be quite difficult... certainly more difficult than batting on a pleasant sunny afternoon! It makes the whole affair rather pointless really"
Susan Raven in the TMS inbox

37th over - SL 137-9
Can Swann wrap it up? England are happy to concede singles at this stage, but four singles off the first four balls take Sri Lanka past the point where they would lose by 100 runs - always a psychologial blow if that happens. Five singles from the over and Mubarak keeps the strike.

36th over - SL 132-9
Mubarak takes a single off Colly's sixth over, Fernando prods into the off-side for a dot. He's then completely deceived by a slower ball. The next one is right up in the blockhole, but Fernando digs it out for a single to Sidey at mid-off. Mubarak also takes one to keep the bowling.

"I don't understand why England don't poodle their fielders around the bat and leave the Sri Lankans to Rott, weiler we get the run rate up. Let's get the quicks on to terrier-ise the (dogs) tailenders and hound them out of their comfort zone. Perhaps get Collie on at the the other end, if only to keep them on a tight leash?!"
Luke Marshall, London, in the TMS inbox

35th over - SL 129-9
Mubarak nudges one fine, from which they scamper three, which are given as leg-byes. Last man Dilhara Fernando faces the bowling for the first time, and holds out for the remaining ball.

34.2 overs - WICKET - Malinga run out (Bell) 0 - SL 126-9
Swann bowls, Mubarak prods into the off-side, non-striker Malinga is sent back by Mubarak, and Bell's throw to the bowler's end runs the Slinger out, and Rudi doesn't even need to refer to the third umpire. England on the brink here.

34th over - SL 126-8
New batsman is Lasith Malinga, who defends his first ball.

33.5 overs - WICKET - Vaas c Mustard b Collingwood 2 - SL 126-8
My "gaffer" Paul Grunill suggests I exhort any of you who know anyone in the crowd in Dambulla who might have a camera to try to get a shot of the reclusive Dog #2, who is still yet to bother the photo agencies, and send it to us. Meanwhile, Colly has a lbw appeal against Mubarak but it pitched outside leg. They take a leg-bye. He then pushes one past Vaas who gets a very thin edge to Mustard, who doesn't even appeal. But Vaas walks without waiting for the umpire's verdict, and it has to be noted, the England captain lets off a verbal volley in Vaas's direction as he leaves. [It has subsequently emerged that he may have been shouting at Mustard for not appealing]

"With dog #1 now achieving what must be a 'famous' status by today's (admittedly low) standards, could it be the next big name to grace 'I'm a celebrity�' It would be superb at bush tucker trials like eating the grubs etc. Failing that it could be adopted as the TMS online mascot"
Adam Stock in the TMS inbox

33rd over - SL 122-7
New batsman is Chaminda Vaas, who plays a textbook forward defensive to his first ball. He runs his next ball past slip for a single. With two southpaws at the crease, Swann is getting into his rhythm, bowling around the wicket, and Mubarak takes a single off the last ball.

32.2 overs - WICKET - Maharoof c & b Swann 6 - SL 121-7
It's still Swanny from the Scoreboard End - Mubarak glances him away for a single - will Maharoof give him the charge! Yes he does - and Swann takes an excellent low return catch!

"Do people who work for the BBC have to pay a Licence Fee? If so, does that make you self employed?"
Stuart Thomas, City of London, in the TMS inbox
[Yes. And no. - MM]

"How about Mal Loye for the vets XI batting at number four? Come to think of it, how about putting him in the real England side at number four and axe KP?"
Chris, bored at work, in the TMS inbox

32nd over - SL 120-6
Colly returns, and Maharoof digs out a slower ball for a single. Mubarak works him away for a single - it's pedestrian progression from Sri Lanka at this stage, with just ones and twos taken. The drinks trolley comes on.

"Re: Kate's comment that Sidebottom is becoming potentially fanciable: he'd have to ditch the Bananarama hairdo first"
Sophy, London, in the TMS inbox

"Sidey becoming fanciable? You need to get out more girl! The bulging eyes are a no no, the hair being flicked in your face is a no no. Dog #1 is v. cute though. Is that wrong?"
Sarah, London, in the TMS inbox

31st over - SL 116-6
Swann tries to tease Maharoof out of his crease, it appears to hit Maharoof on the pad dead in line - but that's not good enough for Mr Koertzen. Just a single is possible from Swann's fifth over.

"Why oh why doesn't Ravi Bopara get a bowl even with Collingwood injured?"
Alan Price Fishe, London, in the TMS inbox

30th over - SL 115-6
Mubarak ducks under a bouncer from Broad, before driving a single which is half-stopped by KP at mid-on. Colly warms up again - I guess he'll be bowling again soon. Maharoof nudges a single before Mubarak heaves Broad to cow corner for four. Let's not forget, he normally bats in the top order, even though he's down at seven. He then guides the final ball of the over down to third man for four - he's on 20.

"Re Dog pitch invasions - now a whole surreal world has opened up in my mind - images of packs of hounds making strategic insurgences onto the pitch, with Dog Generals in uniform barking (ha ha) orders from the stands. Meanwhile, the tannoy plays Baha Men's 'Who let the Dogs out'. Well, I did say surreal"
Carole in the TMS inbox

29th over - SL 105-6
Mubarak tickles a single to fine leg. Maharoof then pushes one to third man, they run back for a second and the TV replay umpire decides he's not out. He sweeps for a single, and Mubarak takes one off the last ball to retain the strike.

"Anyone leaving Jason Gallian out of that vets XI would be absolutely barking"
Brett Rhoades in the TMS inbox

"Sri Lanka need one run to win and England one wicket. Collingwood is floored by Dog #1 in mid-catch and Sri Lanka scramble the single required. Peter Moores in a post match interview discovers that an anagram of his name is 'O pet remorse'."
Andy in Halifax in the TMS inbox

28th over - SL 100-6
Colly removes himself from the attack after three overs, and Broad is recalled. Mubarak chops one away to leg for a single to being up the hundred. Just that one run from the over. Surely not even England could let this one slip from here?

"I'm surely not the only one who thinks Dougie Brown looks like Lucius Vorenus in 'Rome' am I? Pretty much when he's cursing his kids to Hades - a scary smile!"
Harri, Lincoln, in the TMS inbox

27th over - SL 99-6
Swann rattles through his over, just a single from Maharoof, a two from Mubarak and a leg-bye are added.

26th over - SL 95-6
Colly signals the Colonel to stand back from the stumps, and posts two men in the deep on the hook - can we expect some short balls? Maharoof guides his first ball away for a single. Mubarak turns him to leg for a scampered three, and then we do see a quicker ball from Colly. Maharoof then tries to hook but gets plunked on the helmet for good measure.

25th over - SL 90-6
The new batsman is Farveez Maharoof - we know from the last match that he can give it some long handle, but he's at the non-striker's end as Swann attempts to bamboozle Mubarak. The Notts man comes around the wicket to Mubarak, who is a leftie, and there's plenty of chirping from the England close fielders as Swann rattles through his over. A maiden as Mubarak defends his stumps.

24th over - WICKET - Jayawardene c Pietersen b Collingwood 23 - SL 90-6
Colly tries to mix his pace up a bit, and keeps Jayawardene tied down - and then off the final ball of the over, he flips one straight to KP at short midwicket who takes a good low catch. A wicket maiden for Colly!

"In case any one is intending to travel to Dambulla for the 3rd one dayer, just to let you know you will need to take some food. The only food on offer there on Monday were some 'chicken hot dogs' that looked decidedly dodgy. Locals did tell me whoever won the toss would win the game. Looks to be true on this pitch"
Malcolm Sallis in the TMS inbox

23rd over - SL 90-5
New batsman is Jehan Mubarak, a left-hander who's played 25 ODIs but was not required to bat or bowl in the first game on Monday. The Swann-meister is getting plenty of turn - a very tidy over yields just one run, and one wicket.

22.3 overs - WICKET - Dilshan b Swann 29 - SL 90-5
A double change in the bowling as Graeme Swann's right-arm off-spin enters the fray. Jayawardene paddles a single off his first ball, and then Dilshan is bowled by his third!

22nd over - SL 89-4
Collingwood brings himself into the attack - how will his injured shoulder fare? Dilshan drives, safely, and runs through for three as Cook dives to stop the ball crossing the cover boundary. That's the 50 partnership, off 44 balls. Jayawardene adds a single.

"Mark, an anagram of your name seems to describe your employment as the online commentator: Hack merriment"
Phil Day, Durham, in the TMS inbox

21st over - SL 85-4
Dilshan top-edges a Broad bouncer over the Colonel's head for four, and then chops one to Bopara on the cover boundary for a single. Jayawardene also shows his class by working one down past third man for four. Worryingly, the TV camera alights on a Sri Lanka fan who is wearing a gigantic hat which appears to be made from fur... which is exactly the same colour as the fur of Dog #1. It can't be, can't it?

"How about Chris Adams as captain of the Veterans XI? Best captain around by a mile!"
Chris, Worthing, via text

"This is very similar to the situation England were in when they were four wickets down and Paul Collingwood found an ally in Owais Shah"
Dougie Brown on TMS

20th over - SL 74-4
Dilshan overtakes his partner Jayawardene by on-driving Anderson for two, while Sidebottom returns to the field. Dilshan then thumps one down to third man but Broad again shows his "Boundary Fox" skills to cut off the four and restrict them for two. The next ball is down the leg side, Dilshan glances, Mustard scampers to retrieve it and they run a leg-bye. Jayawardene taps a quick single, Dilshan takes a single to long leg and that's it for the fielding restrictions.

"An anagram of Kevin Pietersen is 'Invest In Keeper'"
Tim Attwood in the TMS inbox

"Are all these typically English doom merchants aware that the average score batting first at Dambulla is 198. So, it may not be a mammoth total by England, but it is above par, and a progression from the first game. So try and be positive for a change - it doesn't hurt!"
Guy, Gloucestershire, in the TMS inbox

19th over - SL 67-4
Jayawardene prods Broad to midwicket for a single, and Dilshan punches one to leg from which they run two. He then takes a single as Sri Lanka look to rebuild their innings, and he's certainly scoring quicker than Jayawardene who is taking on the anchor role.

"During the Twenty20 tournament I taught my 18-month old son the umpiring signal for a six, a four and also a raised index finger for 'That's out'. He even shouts 'shooooooooooooot' any time a batsman scores a four. Today though all I can get is 'Bored Daddy'... who says Twenty20 will replace the 50-over game?!"
Mark Draper in the TMS inbox

18th over - SL 63-4
Sidey's off after eight overs, Anderson's on at the Pavilion End and sub fielder Luke Wright is on the field for an as-yet-unidentified missing Englishman. Dilshan plays and misses outside off-stump. Colly's also warming up to bowl - remember, he injured his shoulder in the first match and wasn't able to bowl in the nets yesterday. By process of elimination, it's Sidey off the field. Dilshan pulls a short one towards Wright at midwicket - six or four? Four.

"I have to say that with the amount of aggression he's currently displaying, Siders could actually become quite fanciable - what say you ladies?"
Kate, London, in the TMS inbox

17th over - SL 57-4
Broad's third over has Jayawardene tied down as the fielders close in on every forward prod. A lovely cover drive from the Sri Lanka captain finds the point boundary. Shot of the day, if you ask me. But that's the only scoring stroke from the over.

"If you're going to insist on using the term 'invasion' every time a dog 'invades' the pitch, what are you going to use when an entire pack decides to come on?"
James Calder, Washington DC, in the TMS inbox
[I would certainly expect the photo agencies to snap each and every one of them if that happened, never mind failing to photograph Dog #2 - MM]

"Jayawardene is taking his time, having a look at the bowling, but his presence will be very important if Sri Lanka are to win this one. The English fielders want to make sure Sri Lanka know they're in a contest"
Russell Arnold on TMS

16th over - SL 53-4
England unsurprisingly take the third powerplay (this one with a third fielder outside the circle), and it's still Sidey on for his eighth over. Jayawardene works him away for a single, while Simon Mann on TMS notices that famous Sri Lanka fan "Percy" has found yet another blonde female England fan to accompany him around the ground, carrying both countries' flags. Sri Lanka reach 50 as Dilshan nudges one to the boundary for four leg byes, and then prods Sidey into the covers for two.

15th over - SL 46-4
The hat-trick ball is bowled to Tillakaratne Dilshan - he's struck on the pad, there's a half-hearted LBW appeal and the ball slithers out towards midwicket for a leg bye. After Jayawardene takes a single, Dilshan flashes at a shorter one and it sails over backward point for four. He takes a single and the ponderous Jayawardene prods the final ball for a single. England were 46-2 at this stage.

14.1 overs - WICKET - Silva c Collingwood b Broad 0 - SL 38-4
A golden duck for Silva (pun unintended) as he chips his first ball straight to Captain Colly at backward point. As the last wicket was off the last ball of Broad's last over, he's on a hat-trick.

14th over - SL 38-3
New batsman is Chamara Silva, and he's the non-striker as Sidebottom bowls to Jayawardene, and has the Sri Lankan captain playing and missing. Sidey has huge staring eyes as he runs in, but whatever works for him - as that's a maiden.

"Is Graham Thorpe still playing in the Australian domestic league or has he given up altogether? Ian Salisbury could add some useful variation. Ronnie Irani can bat a bit too!" [Irani has retired - MM]
James Moore in the TMS inbox

"If anyone deserves a rest from England duty it's KP, he looks dog-tired"
Keith, Southampton, in the TMS inbox

13th over - WICKET - Sangakkara c Mustard b Broad 9 - SL 38-3
While Alison and Dougie on TMS debate the age-old question "how do you tell a cow's age?", there's a bowling change as Stuart Broad replaces Anderson at the Scoreboard End. Sanga prods a quick single, and Captain Colly's underarm throw just misses the stumps by inches. While he adjusts his apparel, we are treated to a brief (pun unintended) sight of the England captain's pants. (Before you ask, it looked like they were white, but he only showed the waistband). A half-hearted LBW appeal against Jayawardene results in a leg bye, then a looser delivery is carved to third man by Sanga, and Sidey makes a good sliding stop to restrict Sanga to two. Then, having been dropped twice, Sanga fences at one and it's snapped up by the Colonel for his first catch for England.

"What with Paul Collingwood seeing a cobra yesterday by the cricket nets and several pitch invasions by Lassie and friend, does anyone know whether they've got Noah's Ark moored round the corner from the cricket ground at Dambulla?"
Dominic in the TMS inbox

12th over - SL 34-2
As Dougie Brown on TMS notices the appearance of dew on the outfield, Sidey's radar is off briefly as he sends down a legside wide. Malinga and one of the other SL players are sat in deckchairs just outside the boundary rope. That wide was the only run from the over.

"Nice idea, Mark Hood, about the Veterans' XI - but seeing as Mark Butcher never played an ODI it would be an odd decision to give him a debut now!"
Rob, Redditch, in the TMS inbox

"Cork. Does he still play? And Mark Ealham, one-day legend. Ali Brown - does he count? You're struggling for a keeper - would have to be Jones or Read I guess"
Dave, London, in the TMS inbox

11th over - SL 33-2
England take the second powerplay immediately, and Sanga works Sidey away to leg for a single. A full-length dive by Bopara at point restricts Jayawardene to one, and then Sanga clips Anderson away to midwicket but Broad shows off his "Boundary Fox" skills again with a good pick-up-and-throw inside the rope.

"I'm staggered (and disappointed!) no one has done a dog-related joke about 'tails wagging' yet. As for the snappily named Dog #1, sounds he's had more runs than your average England opener"
Dan Taylor in the TMS inbox

"Comparing the England and Pakistan run rates, I've come to the conclusion that time and space have a different relationship with each other when England are batting. Albert Einstein would have a field day (quite literally) watching England bat"
Robbie, Liverpool, in the TMS inbox

10th over - SL 29-2
Jayawardene flicks Sidey to square leg for a single. A rather unnecessary overthrow ensues when Pietersen's wild throw evades Mustard and Sanga gets a run. KP apologises to both the Colonel and Sidey. Jayawardene then leg-glances one for four, and standing in the crowd the boundary is a fan in a mask from the film "Scream".

9th over - SL 23-2
Jayawardene prods Jimmy away for a single but Sanga is still becalmed, wafting and missing outside off-stump. That's four runs off the last four overs.

Given Englands recent success, or lack of, a friend and I are trying to devise an England 'Veterans' XI, which we believe would fare better. The only rules are they have to have had numerous England caps and still be playing. We have the following, Ramps, Butcher, Gough, Caddick, Croft and Hick. We are struggling for an XI, we need some help"
Mark Hood in Norfolk in the TMS inbox[What about John Crawley? Plenty of runs in the Championship still - MM]

"Ryan Sidebottom's excuse for a few lagers - an anagram of his name is 'Not mad sobriety'"
Dave, Edinburgh, in the TMS inbox

8th over - SL 22-2
Sidey still keeps it tight against Sanga, mixing up his pace - and that's a maiden as Sanga can barely get him off the square. A tight opening by England, they'll wish they had held all the catches though. Alison Mitchell points out that the tournament's trophy looks like a silver bowler hat on a stick.

"With the success of the dog picture, I wonder if there could be opening for further pictorial accessories to jazz things up a bit. I'd like to see little individual faces of the players scattered around"
Liz in Dublin in the TMS inbox
[Don't hold your breath, Liz - I had to badger them for months to make me a 'bad light' graphic - MM]

7th over - SL 22-2
Alison Mitchell takes over the TMS commentary seat and as Sangakkara shoulders arms to Anderson, she notes Mustard's bright green wicket-keeping gloves. (If you ask me, they'd be very good for gardening in the dark). He flicks one to square leg for a single off the final ball, but that's the only scoring stroke. Would you believe, the photo agencies have filed another picture of Dog #1, here he is.

"An anagram of Kevin Pietersen is Severe Inept Kin, which sums up the England "clan" rather well so far today"
Mike, London, in the TMS inbox

6th over - SL 21-2
You're not going to believe this - not only has Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene come in at number four, but the dog is back on! The original dog, Dog #1, scampers on again! After he is persuaded to leave, the right-handed Jayawardene fends off the last two balls of the over.

5.4 overs - WICKET - Jayasuriya c Bell b Sidebottom 10 - SL 21-2
Jayasuriya takes a single, and Sanga sportingly declines a second run after the throw to the stumps ricochets away off his bat. After Sanga is hit on the pad and runs a leg-bye, Jayasuriya hits it straight to Bell at cover - Sidey strikes again!

5th over - SL 19-1
That's more like vintage Jayasuriya as he flays Anderson through point for four. Cook is taken out of the slips and brought in to short point - Dougie Brown on TMS thinks Cook will need body armour if Jayasuriya cracks another one like that straight at him. He then works Anderson into the covers and scampers back for the second run. Jayasuriya then clubs one which Cook half-stops and Colly completes the fielding at backward point, but they've run a single anyway.

"One of the really good combinations is cheese (Port Salut for preference) and peanut butter, though it's best with a third slice separating the ingredients. It's so tasty it even makes crispbread palatable!"
John Starbuck, Yorkshire, in the TMS inbox

4th over - SL 12-1
Sidey isn't giving much away so far. Jayasuriya, dare I say it, looks a little nervous and fidgety. He even leaves one outside off-stump which doesn't bounce as much as it might have done. He eventually gets off strike with a single, and Sanga can only defend the last ball as Sidey threatens to throw the stumps down.

"Brilliant batting display by England, oh wait, no, hang on, that was 50 overs, not 20!"
Joseph Harvey in the TMS inbox

3rd over - SL 11-1
Anderson has Sanga tied down as Bell fields effervescently in the covers. There's a bit of a spring in England's step after that wicket. Off the final ball, Sanga gets a top edge to a short ball - keeper Phil Mustard leaps up and gets a hand to it, but he can't hang on. Should he have left it to Shah at first slip? A maiden over, though.

"OK, taking Mark Airey's approach to getting posted, Andrew Strauss anagrammatically describes himself and most of the England top order with SAD RUN WASTERS. But at least Phil Mustard LUMPS IT HARD over the boundary"
Simon Anvil Melbourne, Australia, in the TMS inbox

2nd over - SL 11-1
Kumar Sangakkara's first ball is a wide. He fends his first legitimate delivery straight to Cook - and he's dropped it, despite it being an easier chance than the one he just caught. How costly might that be? Sanga takes a single. Jayasuriya then pads up, Sidey has a big shout for LBW but umpire Tyron Wijewardene is unmoved.

"Out of interest, approximately how many e-mails/text messages have you received during Englands innings today?"
Paul (Curious!) Bristol in the TMS inbox
[I'm told about 500 or so e-mails, plus a few texts - MM]

1.2 overs - WICKET - Tharanga c Cook b Sidebottom 8 - SL 9-1
Ryan Sidebottom's first ball is flicked off his pads for four by Tharanga, but Sidey has the last laugh as the next ball is edged to a diving Alastair Cook at second slip.

1st over - SL 5-0
Tharanga prods Anderson's first ball into the off-side, and eventually hoists the fourth ball of the over towards the midwicket boundary where the lanky Stuart Broad stretches every sinew to make a tumbling stop to keep the score down to three. Jayasuriya (in his 400th ODI, lest we forget) dabs a single from his first ball, before Tharanga does likewise to take the strike.

"It's been a long morning and my eyes are starting to hurt from all the reading... any chance I could have some kind of live feed where the text commentary is read to me (with appropriate sound effects in place of the dog pictures)? You just don't get the sheer 'pun-craft' and sarcasm with the current TMS audio commentary"
Kevin, Derby, in the TMS inbox
[Who knows, in a few years' time we may be able to send the website directly to the inside of your eyelids - MM]

1413: After what barely seems like enough time to get our breath back, we're nearly under way again. As usual, it's Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga opening up for Sri Lanka, with Jimmy Anderson taking the new ball.

"An anagram of Phil Mustard is Adult Shrimp. Great barbecued with sweet chili sauce"
Andy in the TMS inbox

"Graeme Swann may be a 'wee Man's Gran', but a more topical anagram of his name is "New Managers"
Mel, in the TMS inbox

1345: That's it from the England innings - I'm off for a sandwich, see you back here for the Sri Lanka innings.

"With all this talk of dogs, I like your use of 'scamper' in the 45th over. Scamper of course being the name of the dog in Enid Blyton's Secret Seven books. I preferred the Famous Five though, so any chance of fitting in Timmy's name?"
Ian, Cambridge, in the TMS inbox

"The dogs are on the pitch because they think it's all Rover... It is now"
Tim, Poole, via text
[And you thought my puns were bad - MM]

ENGLAND INNINGS

50th over - Eng 234-8
The wild-haired Ryan Sidebottom comes in for the penultimate delivery - though Broad's on strike as they crossed on the catch. But no! The stern-faced Rudi Koertzen rules that they didn't cross on the catch, so Sidey has to push a single to extra cover. Last ball - it's up in the blockhole, Broad lifts it to long-on where the fielder running in just misses the ball and they scamper three runs. Maharoof finishes with 9-2-30-3. Total is 234-8 - England would certainly have settled for that at four wickets down.

49.4 overs - WICKET - Shah c Silva b Maharoof 82 - Eng 230-8
Maharoof is preferred to Vaas for the last over. He has 2-23 from his first eight overs, and completely deceives Broad with a slower ball. The next ball is fairly slow, but Broad punches it to long-on for two. A single then brings Shah on strike for the last three balls. Shah gives himself some room, tries to carve Maharoof into the off-side and is spectacularly caught by Silva at cover!

"Interesting (for me anyway) that you mention fabled bounty hunter Boba Fett in your commentary (37th over), as it is playing against him, or at least the actor that played him [Jeremy Bulloch], in a charity cricket match that provides me with my favourite claim to fame. However my delight at playing against and ultimately dismissing such a Star Wars legend quickly turned to anger when ex-England batsman David Steele strode to the wicket wearing my pads and gloves without permission. The cheek of it"
Mike Parkin in the TMS inbox

49th over - Eng 227-7
Shah steps across his stumps again to Malinga, and finds the fine-leg boundary with another leg-glance. Shah takes two off the second ball, before taking a sharp single and evades being run out when the throw to the bowler's end hits umpire Tyron Wijewardene who was trying to take evasive action. Broad is off the mark with a single to long-off, Shah drives to mid-off and Maharoof makes a good diving stop as they take a single. Shah now has the best score by an Englishman in an ODI in Sri Lanka (beating Gooch's 74 in 1982). Broad takes a single - he'll face the last over.

48th over - Eng 217-7
New batsman is Stuart Broad, but Shah's at the striker's end, and he shuffles across his stumps to leg-glance Fernando for four to fine leg. He's got 73 now. He nudges a single, the field is switched for left-hander Broad's first ball, and he fences at one but it's a dot ball. Fernando has 2-45 from his 10 overs.

47.2 overs - WICKET - Swann run out 34 - Eng 212-7
Swann clubs Fernando for two to long-on, and tries the same feat from the next ball, but his innings is ended when they go for a reckless third run and some hesitant running is punished as he's run out at the bowler's end.

"Pakistan have a faster run rate in their second Test innings compared to England's one day match (Pakistan 30 overs 140 runs, England 30 overs 105). Do England think they are playing a Test match?"
Hassan Khan in the TMS inbox

47th over - Eng 208-6
Malinga slings one in short at Swann, and the result is a swing-and-a-miss. Some more careless fielding allows him two off the next ball and then a single, while Shah clubs one back down the ground for one. Swann takes his right hand off the bat but hoists it to cow corner, and Tharanga makes a tumbling stop to reduce the arrears to three rather than four.

46th over - Eng 201-6
Fernando returns - he's got two overs left, and "a devilish slower ball" according to Simon Mann on TMS. Shah opens the face and runs a quick single to backward point, Swann lofts one over midwicket for a single, and they both keep pushing singles off each ball while sub fielder Loku is on for Jayasuriya. The 200 is brought up.

"Having failed to get published with a post about Sri-Lanka's left out leg-spinner sounding like an annoying Mexican song, I thought I'd try my luck with an anagram as they always get published! Graeme Swann is definitely a Wee Man's Gran"
Mark Airey, Rochdale, in the TMS inbox

"Was that Gnasher Hussain on the pitch earlier?"
Keith, Ipswich, in the TMS inbox

"In the spirit of this particular game, surely you should be eating hot dogs, not fancy brie and raspberry jam sandwiches"
Carole in Maidenhead in the TMS inbox

45th over - Eng 195-6Shah looks to have finally come out of his shell after reaching 50, and lofts Malinga safely over mid-on where they take a couple - apparently that's 61 runs from 61 balls since the ball change. The Slinger strays with a wide and then Shah pulls away as a member of the local police walks behind the sightscreen. After he pushes a single, Swann is tied down as the wild-haired Malinga sends down some tasty yorkers. He works the last one away to long leg, and they scamper two.

"That dog that invaded the pitch looks suspiciously like Bouncer from Neighbours"
Dominic Woodford in the TMS inbox

44th over - Eng 189-6
This is Dilshan's lst over - Swann pushes him into the covers to bring Shah on strike. The Middlesex man straight-drives past the diving Fernando at long-on, and as Fernando rolls over the ball it goes for four. Shah then takes a single, and is sent back by Shah when they go for a second. Swann is then nearly run out himself as Jayasuriya's throw from mid-off just misses the stumps.

"England = rubbish. A sad but true equation when it comes to ODIs"
Dan, realistically, Guernsey, in the TMS inbox

"That,s two ex-Northants players who have played for England in the last 12 months, with Mal Loye playing at the start of the year. However, it should be David Sales, a current Northants player, who should be batting at No.4 ahead of Pietersen who is clearly burnt out and out of form"
Russ, Northants, in the TMS inbox

43rd over - Eng 181-6
Malinga returns - he was very useful as a "death" bowler at the World Cup, so I'd guess he'll bowl the 43rd, 45th, 47th and 49th. A misfield from Fernando allows Shah to bring up his half-century off 72 balls. He then squeezes one over Maharoof at mid-on for four - only his second boundary. After he whips a single to leg, Swann takes a single off the final delivery, but a better over from England.

"Mark, your occasional use of italics is breaking up the overs quite nicely and brightening up what is a pretty dull innings. That said, I think I'm speaking for all of us when I say I don't think I'd want to see it used too liberally"
Chris C, Newcastle, in the TMS inbox

42nd over - Eng 173-6
Dilshan's ninth over sees Swann square-drive and Mubarak has to make a sprawling stop at backward point to save a boundary. Dilshan sends down another legside wide which Shah has nothing to do with. He then prods one to midwicket - he's up to 49.

"Regarding Andy in Liverpool's comment, definitely both in the same sandwich. I'm a big fan of the Brie and raspberry jam combo, even better when slightly melted under the grill"
Neil, Bath, in the TMS inbox[You're making me hungry - MM]

"In reply to Richard Hughes, the reason dogs only are on the pitch when England bat is because Sri Lanka hit the ball out of the park and they're chasing them in the street, whereas today, England have hit seven boundaries in 180 balls, the dogs think they have more chance of getting a ball if they field on the square!"
Mark, bored at work in Hereford, in the TMS inbox

41st over - Eng 168-6
Vaas returns, Sanga's standing up, but Swann gets a fortunate outside edge as the ball sails away to third man for a single. The floodlights are switched on, and Shah gets a top-edge which flies safely to fine leg for two. Shah then swings and misses, Vaas appeals for LBW but a leg-bye is the result. Swann waves away someone walking behind the bowler's arm before chipping another single. He has 13, Shah has 48.

"I've been on the receiving end of Owais Shah once or twice at Lord's - he can give it the long handle if necessary"
Dougie Brown on TMS

"On the dog theme... obviously England must bring back Jack Russell"
Robert Kimber in the TMS inbox
[Wondered when that one was coming - MM]

40th over - Eng 163-6
Dilshan continues for his eighth over, and Shah prods him away for a single before Swann off-drives for a run of his own. Shah works Dilshan to square leg, and a wild throw nearly results in an overthrow. Swann is still waiting for the ball to come on to him, working it into the gap for a single. Malinga, who still has four overs to bowl, is clearly bristling to return to the action, and keeps the runs down with a fizzing throw from the boundary.

39th over - Eng 157-6
We've had 10 overs of spin to make up the "fifth bowler" allocation - will the four pacemen bowl the remaining overs between them? A young Sri Lankan spectator is following Colly's lead by eating a choc ice. It's Fernando in for his eighth over, and Shah works him into the covers for a couple of runs. Just two other singles are possible.

"During the football World Cup of 2002, my aunt and uncle agreed to name their new goldfish after the first person to score a goal, thinking they'd end up with "Henry" beacuse the first match was France v Senegal. They were unlucky: Senegal scored first and they ended up with a fish whose name nobody could pronounce"
Becky in the TMS inbox

38th over - Eng 153-6
It's still Dilshan, and both Shah and Swann improvise with some delicately placed sweeps to keep the ones and twos flowing. 12 overs left.

37th over - Eng 147-6
Shah cuts Fernando for a single to bring his score to 37, while captain Colly, sat on the boundary next to coach Peter Moores, appears to be eating a choc ice. Swann digs out a yorker from Fernando but just two more singles are possible from the over.

"When I read that a dog had invaded the pitch I assumed it was Dog the Bounty Hunter looking to arrest England players for crimes against batting"
Iain Gordon in the TMS inbox
[But is he a better bounty hunter than Boba Fett? - MM]

"If there was ever one man who could save England now, it's Marcus Trescothick. Make him captain and opener with Ian Bell, put Flintoff in as a bowler and not an all-rounder and include Monty, Dimitri, Luke Wright and Bopara pronto! Oh and can I be coach?"
Joe in the TMS inbox

36th over - Eng 144-6
New batsman Graeme Swann works Dilshan to leg for two off his first ball.

35.5 overs - WICKET - Bopara b Dilshan 1 - Eng 142-6
Shah takes a single off Dilshan to bring new batsman Ravi Bopara on strike. A careful sweep gets him off the mark with a single. Shah gets another single, but then it's a bad day for Essex as Bopara matches the one run scored by his county team-mate Cook but is bowled round his legs from the third ball he faces.

35th over - WICKET - Collingwood lbw b Fernando 42- Eng 139-5
The "new" old ball is handed to Dilhara Fernando, who replaces Jayasuriya. Alison Mitchell on TMS says Ottis Gibson told her that the replacement balls are generally about 20 overs old, but have been cleaned up. Fernando drops one in short and Colly pulls it away for a fairly flat six. The next one is gathered just inside the rope as they run two from another legside pull. But Colly then misses one, Fernando appeals for LBW and Rudi's finger is up even quicker than normal.

"Rahul, come on, having to cover this series can't be that bad for Mark Mitchener - at least he can watch the cricket. Its the poor bloke who has to sit next to him and trawl through all the pap we send in to the TMS Inbox that I feel sorry for"
Andrew, Khartoum, in the TMS inbox
[He agrees with you - there have been all sorts today, including some of you e-mailing us pictures of dogs - MM]

"I'm sure Paul 'Colly' Collingwood would love the dogs on the pitch"
Nathan in Essex in the TMS inbox

34th over - Eng 130-4
After a refreshing drinks break, Shah jogs through for another single. Colly has to hurry for the next one to beat Jayawardene's throw. As per the new ODI rules, we now have the mandatory ball change.

"Whilst it is widely acknowledged that Kevin Pietersen is a fantastic player, the only time in the last few years that England has played with any success as a team in ODI was when he broke a rib vs Glen McGrath. Is is a coincidence that England started to play well, and won, in his absence?"
AH in the TMS inbox

"I am just waiting for a male streaker to run on to the pitch and for the corresponding picture that you will be posting! Remember that it should be an accurate portrayal of events"
Annabel in the TMS inbox

"I like the new dog pictures, but I feel that with the wide variety of Sri Lankan wild life perhaps you could expand it. Certainly monkeys and snakes could make an appearance could they not? Almost like one of those I-Spy books"
Adam Stock in the TMS inbox

33rd over - Eng 128-4
Jayasuriya already into his third over, and Shah takes a single before Colly comes down the pitch and chips one which lands, safely, just on the fielding circle. They take two, and Colly fires the first boundary for 11 overs when he wafts one to midwicket for four. Buoyed by that, he reverse-sweeps the last delivery of the over and that goes for four too.

32nd over - Eng 117-4Colly takes a single before Shah prods one to long-on to bring up 111 - it may be Nelson but it's also the 50 partnership. England's best partnership of the series, wouldn't you know. Shah and Colly continue to push the singles, but when will they hit out? Mubarak and Malinga leave the fielding to each other at midwicket, and the ball flies through as the batsmen run three. Shah calls for a drink. It's thirsty work out there.

31st over - Eng 109-4
Colly drives to long-on for a single, while Jayasuriya dives to field off his own bowling to deny Shah a single. Shah then off-drives but it's straight to the sun-hatted Malinga on the cover boundary. Colly strokes another one to long-on to take the strike.

"The two English batsmen are handling themselves very well under pressure at the moment. But there's no turn at all for the two spinners"
Russell Arnold on TMS

30th over - Eng 105-4
Simon Mann on TMS spots an inviting ice-cream van, while Dilshan rattles through his third over quickly and just three singles are taken.

"Mark, honestly tell me if you're really interested in covering this series? Be honest"
Rahul in the TMS inbox[Yes I am - and when am I ever less than honest? - MM]

29th over - Eng 102-4
Spin from both ends as veteran slow left-armer Sanath Jayasuriya comes on. He's playing his 400th ODI, and won't be happy with some wayward fielding which allows Colly to take two from his first ball. It's pretty average "middle over" 50-over cricket at the moment, as Colly and Shah nibble away with ones and twos to a defensive field. Eight from the over though - slightly better from England.

"I'm so disappointed by the cricket today I've made myself some cheddar cheese and strawberry jam butties to cheer myself up"
Andy, Liverpool, in the TMS inbox[Both in the same sandwich? MM]

28th over - Eng 94-4
Shah sweeps Dilshan and it evades Sanga behind the timbers as they scamper two. It's still fairly pedestrian from England - "a great advert for Twenty20 cricket" says my BBC colleague Paresh Soni, who's writing the match report - as just two more singles are taken.

"Maybe we could ask Dog #1 if he fancies batting at number three and Dog #2 could then bat in the middle order"
John Allum in the TMS inbox

27th over - Eng 90-4
Collingwood nudges Malinga into the covers for a single, before Shah works one off his legs as the strike is rotated again. Another Colly single takes him to 1,000 ODI runs for the calendar year 2007, in his 30th match. Ahead of him are Matthew Hayden, Mahela Jayawardene, Ian Bell and Sourav Ganguly. Malinga strays with a wide as Radio 4 listeners are whisked away from TMS for the Shipping Forecast.

"Regards the dog theme - would I be 'barking mad' to suggest England won't get 'bowl'-ed out and take a good 'lead' from this innings - just a 'paws' for thought!"
Andrew, Barnsley, in the TMS inbox

"I went to the first ever game in Dambulla. The building work was miles behind schedule so they decided on the eve of the game to erect some temporary roofing which consisted of a load of corrugated iron sheets tied on with rope. Needless to say, when the wind got up said corrugated sheets flew off at regular intervals - it was a novel experience trying to watch a game of cricket while at the same time trying to keep an eye on the roof above to ensure that you didn't get decapitated. Then, when all sections of the roof had disappeared and we thought we were safe, a few thousand ticketless locals decided to storm the gates and clamber over the walls into our bit of the ground. Marvellous fun. Oh, and England got battered then as well"
Ian, E5, in the TMS inbox

26th over - Eng 85-4
Our first sight of some spin, as Tillakaratne Dilshan relinquishes his predatory fielding position at backward point to toss up some off-spin. He sends down a legside wide, just the second extra of the innings, before Colly nurdles a single.

"During a West Indies game, I agreed to name my son after the next name spoken on the TV. Luckily, it was Ben Hollioake, not Shiv Chanderpaul, who was batting at the time!"
Sean in Dublin, via text

25th over - Eng 83-4
Malinga's sixth over sees Shah push one to deep cover for a single. Colly tries to tickle one fine but an outstanding stop by Sanga prevents even a single. The final ball of the over is short, and Colly is up on his toes but prods it to leg for a single.

"In every single ODI that Phil Mustard has played (yes, every single one, bar none), he's scored one more run than in the previous one. Does that mean that if we give him enough games he'll eventually be hitting triple hundreds all over the place? World Cup 2015 here we come"
Louis, Henley, in the TMS inbox

"Surely there's a good call for Pietersen to be dropped? He's been in terrible form, and I think he thinks his place is secure. 12 off 41 balls isn't good enough. Drop him and give him a kick up the Mascarenhas!"
Mark Gracey, Gillingham, Kent

24th over - Eng 81-4
Maharoof's off after eight overs and Vaas returns. Sangakkara is standing up, and the batting pair are still restricted to singles. A slower ball is lifted to midwicket by Colly but it evades the fielders, and just five singles are taken from the over.

"As another Astros fan (who knew there were so many over here) I've noticed how their fortunes seem to have mirrored the England cricket team. 2005 - Ashes win, World Series. 2006 - moderate performance, ultimately disappointing. 2007 - fell apart, new coaches brought in (Cecil Cooper, Peter Moores)"
Paul Bailey in the TMS inbox

"I think Chris should name his child after the man of the match, which will no doubt be Farveez Maharoof"
Craig in the TMS inbox

23rd over - Eng 76-4
The Slinger's back as Fernando takes a rest and Colly works him away for a brace, before flicking one off his legs for a single. Shah follows suit, before Colly chips one just wide of Mubarak in the covers. Shah pinches the bowling off the final delivery.

"Really enjoy dipping into the commentary online, but will no longer do so, as every time I check progress England lose a wicket! I predict a massive score now I am making the ultimate sacrifice and getting on with work!"
Stuart Vaughan in the TMS inbox

"Perhaps one of the dogs could play for England; they seem to have more desire to be on the pitch than any of our players at the moment!"
Neil, Sussex, in the TMS inbox

22nd over - Eng 70-4
Shah tickles the economical Maharoof away for a single. Colly pushes one to midwicket for a single, and then Shah angles one through the vacant slip area for four. Might we see some spin soon, or will Jayawardene be tempted to keep these two on for their full spells?

"Now then Mark, posting a picture of the wrong dog is simply not cricket. Would you attempt to pass Aggers off in place of Geoffrey? This sort of laxness does you no credit, not to mention might cause the canines in question an identity crisis..."
Sarah, Canterbury, in the TMS inbox
[Sarah, you must have read about the Blue Peter cat scandal. Are you trying to get me fired from the BBC over fake pictures of dogs? Hopefully this second picture may be acceptable as a stand-in for Dog #2 - MM]

21st over - Eng 64-4
Fernando keeps it equally tight, and Shah can only take a single from the last ball. Sri Lanka must be loving this.

20th over - Eng 63-4
Maharoof has Colly completely tied down, and completes his second maiden of the innings. Not for the first time in this innings, Maharoof is on fire! That's it for the fielding restrictions.

"Rather than a 60/40 split of the overs, which we'd never survive, we ought to get a head start. I gave my mother-in-law a 100 start at darts the other day and she became the fifth visitor to soundly beat me, so head starts work"
Dave in the TMS inbox

19th over - Eng 63-4
Owais Shah is the new man, while he was accompanied to the wicket for a lightning visit by the Sri Lanka physio - "the fastest physio in cricket", according to Alison Mitchell on TMS. Shah gets off the mark with a sharply-run two off his first ball, before ducking under a sharp bouncer from Fernando.

18.3 overs - WICKET - Pietersen c Jayawardene b Fernando 12 - Eng 61-4
The BBC fire bell FINALLY stops after 11 minutes (though it's still going in all of our ears) as Colly takes a single off his first ball. KP then departs when he tries to pull Fernando to leg and captain Jayawardene joyfully takes the catch above his head at midwicket.

"Please don't get me started with names... the wife got a free names book from one of her magazines. We've been through them all from Aaali - meaning "high, lofty, sublime" in arabic to Zyanya meaning 'forever, always' in Hahuatl... and we're still no further on"
Chris in Hull in the TMS inbox

18th over - Eng 60-3
They crossed on the catch, so Captain Collingwood is the non-striker as KP finally plays an attacking stroke to the 35th ball he receives - a classical off-drive which sails away for four. KP sees off the rest of the over.

"The dog photos are a welcome addition to the usual ones but do you think that you could perhaps use a different photo to distinguish between Dog #1 and Dog #2 and any subsequent pitch invasions?"
Annabel in the TMS inbox
[We only have a pic of Dog #1 - MM]

17.1 overs - WICKET - Mustard c Mubarak b Maharoof 28 - Eng 56-3
And still, the fire bell tolls - it tolls for Mustard as he tries a slightly unorthodox flick but only succeeds in spooning the ball up for an easy catch for Mubarak, who finally gets into the action, having not been required to bat or bowl in the first ODI.

17th over - Eng 56-2
The fire bell goes off as BBC TV Centre is evacuated in a fire drill. Most people in the office have to troop out and leave the building - except myself, match report colleague Paresh Soni and "gaffer" Paul Grunill, who smugly wave our "exemption" passes so that we can continue to bring you the live text. Pietersen and Mustard run another couple of sharp singles, while the fire bell rages on, and it's worse on the ears than an over-exaggerated Sree Santh LBW appeal. Mustard tries to give himself some room but Dilshan remains panther-like at backward point, although they do scamper another run off the last ball.

"Why are there never stray dogs on the field when the Sri Lankans are batting?"
Richard Hughes in the TMS inbox

16th over - Eng 52-2
The third powerplay is taken (with three fielders outside the ring). Mustard has an old-fashioned slog at Maharoof, and that brings the fifty up as he clubs the ball away to cow corner for four. He then attempts a similar slot, but it just accrues a single as the ball goes straight to Malinga at long-on. Maharoof then hits KP on the pad and Mustard has to dive back into his crease to avoid being run out by Dilshan. A direct hit and he'd have gone. Pietersen digs the next one out to mid-on for a single. Drinks are belatedly taken.

"To Steve From Leeds: I feel it would be mighty unfair on the child for Chris to call his child 'Brown Dog'!"
Bruce in the TMS inbox
[The dogs have shown more enthusiasm than the England batsmen - MM]

"That wild dog pic is a lot less scary than the photo of Dougie Brown you keep showing"
Ward Jenner, St Helier, Jersey, in the TMS inbox

15th over - Eng 46-2
With the drinks trolley poised and ready, it's Fernando to Mustard. He steps back to give himself some room, works a single into the off-side and my old friend the unspellable leg-spinner [see earlier] is on as a sub fielder. I'm reliably informed that it's permissible to refer to him by the shortened name of Loku. A couple more singles are taken, just three runs from the over, and the umps aren't allowing drinks on yet. Spoilsports.

"I don't know if Pietersen's trying to occupy the crease, but he looks very frustrated"
Dougie Brown on TMS

14th over - Eng 43-2
Mustard dabs Maharoof for a single, and KP still doesn't look in any kind of nick as he's deceived by a superb slower ball by Maharoof. Another very tidy over from Maharoof - his figures are 4-1-7-1.

"You know how on Stick Cricket if you start with a bad first few overs you have the option to 'restart'? Well can someone prompt Peter Moores to press that button?"
Chris Simpson in the TMS inbox

"A child named after England's highest scorer? There's a chance it'd be Leg-bye, the way things are going"
Anon, via text

13th over - Eng 42-2
Dilhara Fernando replaces Vaas, and his first ball is a full toss which Mustard can't get away, before he swings and misses at the next one. Frustrated, he pushes one into the off-side and calls KP for a quick single, but Mubarak's throw is high and wide. KP and the Colonel add a couple more singles, but it's still pedestrian scoring at this rate - KP has four off 22 balls.

"I got back from Houston last week after nine months there supporting the Astros [a man after my own heart - MM] Whilst watching one of the games at Minute Maid Park on TV, I heard the commentator say: 'Luke Scott would be good at cricket on current form - he always fouls it away. I'm not sure he would last the distance though, those cricket games go on for weeks at a time don't they?' The co-commentator said 'Yeah, at least...'"
James, Chiswick, in the TMS inbox
[As a Star Wars fan, I love it when Luke Scott steps up to bat and all the crowd go "Luuuuuuuke" - MM]

12th over - Eng 39-2
Another dog - a different dog from earlier - invades the pitch. This one is a black dog - is this one-day international cricket or Crufts? As the dog disappears towards cow corner, Mustard works Maharoof off his legs towards square leg, and a good stop from Jayasuriya keeps the runs down to three. An attendant runs on the pitch to chase Dog #2 who finally leaves the arena. Maharoof completely deceives KP with a fast leg-break - just those three runs from the over.

11th over - Eng 36-2
Umpire Tyron Wijewardene signals the second powerplay as Mustard finally plays his first aggressive stroke of the innings - off-driving past the diving mid-off fielder for four. A single brings KP back on strike, and he hammers another straight-driven single. Sangakkara moves up to the stumps, but he can't stop Mustard taking another single.

"Is Chris from Hull going to name his child after England's highest scorer today?"
Steve from Leeds, via text

10th over - Eng 29-2
Mustard gets the scoreboard moving again with his usual start-of-over single. KP whips one off his legs but straight to a fielder at midwicket. He finally gets off the mark by nudging one to fine leg, and scampers back for a second run despite a good diving-stop-and-throw by opener Upul Tharanga. He then straight-drives one which demolishes the stumps at the bowler's end - Mustard, who backs up quite far (see earlier) is well out of his ground but thankfully Maharoof didn't get a touch on it, so the Colonel is safe for now.

"When I stayed in that hotel in Dambulla, it wasn't the monkeys or even the bats that worried me, it was the six-foot lizard I saw disappearing into the undergrowth"
Adam, in London, in the TMS inbox

"As the inventors of this fine game do you not think that we should qualify for a larger split of the overs? Say 60/40, might give us more of a chance! Could we bat 60 overs?"
Phil, Aylesbury, in the TMS inbox

9th over - Eng 26-2
Pietersen moves across his crease, exposing his leg stump, but is unable to work wily left-armer Vaas away, and it's another maiden. Eight balls faced by KP and no runs - it's going to be one of those days...

"Whilst at Uni, we devised an extremely complex game entitled 'lowest score does the chore', whereby everybody sat on the sofa is given a single dart to throw at the board. Examples of common chores included making tea, changing the TV channel and answering the doorbell"
Kirsten, Waterloo, in the TMS inbox

"If an attacking batsmen like Michael Slater couldn't play one day cricket despite his talent, what's to think that Cook will be able to? We neeed someone to tameone to take it to the bowlers from the very start, one run off two overs is all to common a start that puts us on the back foot from the start"
Mark in the TMS inbox

"Is Dan really comparing Panesar to Murali?! Let's face it, Panesar's record in ODIs is terrible, and he doesn't deserve his place in the team"
John Michaels in the TMS inbox

8th over - Eng 26-2
The new batsman is Kevin Pietersen, who shoulders arms to his first ball from Maharoof. He also hits Pietersen on the pad - it hits him in line, but was probably going over. While Sri Lanka concentrate on the appeal rather than retrieving the ball, the batsmen trot through for a leg-bye.

7.2 overs - WICKET - Bell lbw b Maharoof 18 - Eng 25-2
Malinga takes a rest as Farveez Maharoof, who was England's nemesis on Monday, comes on and Bell is trapped in front, before being despatched by the slowly-raised finger of death from umpire Rudi Koertzen.

"Bell has been England's consistent batsman - Jayawardene will hope that dropped catch doesn't cost them - while Mustard is good at rotating the strike"
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russell Arnold on TMS

7th over - Eng 25-1
As is becoming customary, Mustard starts the over with a single. He has five off nine balls. Bell and Mustard then take a single each. Bell then glances Vaas away towards midwicket, and a diving stop from Maharoof means they take three rather than four. Bell already has 18. And my ever-efficient "gaffer" Paul Grunill has conjured up a picture of the dog who invaded the pitch - see below. If the dog reappears at any point, so will the picture.

"Off work with a bad back here in Norway and can't listen to the commentary... how annoying! Did you know the Norwegians here joke about cricket and say the scores on the radio just for a giggle! How rude! Why no Mascarenhas? He was the find of the summer"
Richard Hill, F-16 Engineer, Norwegian Air Force, in the TMS inbox

6th over - Eng 19-1
Mustard dabs a single to point, then Malinga fires one in short of a length and Bell carefully prods him to the cover boundary for another well-timed four. He then finds the same boundary, just evading a diving fielder - England's best over so far.

"Big day today... the wife is due with our first child, so I'm on tenterhooks at work, just awaiting the phone call... but more importantly if England don't put some kind of resistance up today this series will be over before it starts - all the good work done in the Indian series gone down the drain. Fingers crossed we at least post a decent total, oh yes and that the baby arrives safely as well"
Chris in Hull in the TMS inbox

5th over - Eng 10-1
Mustard pushes a single into the off side, while his backing-up when at the non-striker's end is praised by Alison Mitchell and Dougie Brown on TMS. Bell comes down the track but Jayasuriya, a sprightly 38 and playing his 400th ODI, is quickly in at mid-off to prevent the single. He then edges the last ball of the over to Jayawardene at slip - an easier chance than the Cook dismissal - but he puts it down. A life for Bell.

"Ever since reading the opening words of today's coverage, I have Paul Whitehouse of 'The Fast Show' fame saying 'Monster Monster' stuck in my head"
Michael G, London, in the TMS inbox

"Perhaps with all this baseball talk creeping into cricket Colly could have a word and get the 'three strikes, you're out' rule enforced today for every missed ball? Got a feeling England might need it"
Elliott in Reading in the TMS inbox

4th over - Eng 9-1
The dog rolls around on his back, resisting any attempts from Sri Lankan fieldsmen to chase it away. Eventually it trots off past the scoreboard. Mustard off-drives for a single, while Simon Mann reveals that "there are more monkeys than guests" at the hotel where the TMS crew are staying, while the odd snake has also been spotted. Tillakaratne Dilshan is a predatory fielder at backward point, and the ball seems magnetically drawn to him for a couple of deliveries before a well-timed Bell cover drive brings the first four of the innings.

"Cook puts too much pressure on the rest of the batsmen. He should not be playing!"
Carrsy, via text

3rd over - Eng 4-1
New batsman is Ian Bell, who like Vaas also has plenty of sun cream on the go. He nudges one to third man and turns for a second run, testing Dilhara Fernando's arm, but makes his ground as they run two. And the dog's back! As the over ends, the same dog which invaded the pitch during the first ODI on Monday runs on again!

"I want to go to Northern Poland for my hols but my wife wants to go to Italy. I have offered a one stump bowl-out to decide matters but she has refused becuase of a slight shoulder strain. Can readers advise any other cricket-based methods of adjudicating on holiday destinations?"
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox

2.2 overs - WICKET - Cook c Jayawardene b Vaas 1 - Eng 2-1
Phil Mustard is off the mark from the first ball of the over - only the second he's faced. Cook then fences at one outside off-stump, rather like he's giving slip catching practice, and captain Jayawardene - who's standing rather wide at first slip - dives to his right to take the catch.

2nd over - Eng 1-0
While a trumpeter in the crowd continues a lengthy concerto, Malinga takes the second over, and Dougie Brown on TMS reveals that England faced another sling-action pace bowler in the nets yesterday, which may have helped them. Unfortunately, Colly didn't bowl in the nets - he's still suffering with a shoulder injury he sustained on Monday. Cook tries to get his eye in against the Slinger, but only succeeds in playing out a maiden.

"Why are we sticking with a team that got battered in the last game when we have Monty and Dimi on the bench? Unfortunately the only player Dimi could come in for as a direct replacement is the skipper, but Monty should be in the side no matter what. We've been crying out for a match-winning spinner for decades and now we've got one he carries the drinks because he can't bat! Will Sri Lanka leave out Murali when he's fit again? You're having a laugh!"
Dan in the TMS inbox

1st over - Eng 1-0
Just like on Monday, the first ball is delayed because of problems with the sightscreen behind the bowler's end. Vaas is one of several Sri Lankans with a thick covering of white sun cream on his face, although Vaas's looks as though he's been splattered in the face by an iced bun. Either that, or he put the cream on in a hurry. His second ball to Cook nips back prodigiously, pitching outside off-stump, beating Cook in between bat and pad, sailing over middle stump and is taken by Sangakkara down the leg side. Cook clips the fifth ball away to midwicket for a single to get England under way.

0959: As before, it's Cook, with Mustard, to open up (although I think we pretty well exhausted the culinary gags on Monday). Chaminda Vaas takes the new ball.

"I think it's a good gesture from Peter Moores to keep an unchanged team - saying 'you're the ones who got us into trouble the other day, you get us out of it now'"
Warwickshire and Scotland all-rounder Dougie Brown on TMS

How to get BBC Sport on your mobile or PDA

0953: Don't forget, if you're off on your travels today, you can keep track of all the news and scores on BBC Sport via your mobile, PDA or other whizzo handheld device.

"Let's see if we can do better today than Liverpool did in the football last night. Maybe that way we can actually get a half decent score"
Kevin, Luton, via text

0944: Apparently, bowling consultant Ottis Gibson has been teaching James Anderson and others to bowl slower balls. They could do a lot worse than watch footage of Maharoof bowling in the first game - he doesn't bowl at any huge pace but his line and length were good, and he varied his pace well.

"After the first game England might do better to turn the lights off when Sri Lanka bat"
Dave H, stuck at work, in the TMS inbox

0938: Here's the full teams:

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Jehan Mubarak, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando.

England: Alastair Cook, Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (capt), Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen is joined by Tyron Wijewardene, who was third umpire in the first ODI (and gave Ravi Bopara not out three times). Replacing him on TV replays is Gamini Silva.

TOSS NEWS: Captain Colly has won the toss and England will bat first. Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene admits he'd have preferred to bat first but his side are unchanged as well, so there's still no place for the jolly-difficult-to-spell-if-you're-typing-quickly leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi. Phew.

ENGLAND TEAM NEWS: They're unchanged - so the four drinks waiters are the Montster, Luke Wright, Chris Tremlett and Dimitri "five sixes" Mascarenhas.

0915: A very good morning. We're about 45 minutes away from the start of play in Dambulla - the bad news is that it's not looking good for those of you hoping for a recall for the Montster. Mr Panesar is likely to be carrying the drinks again, as England stick with off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Meanwhile, veteran Sri Lanka opener and slow left-armer Sanath Jayasuriya is ready to make his 400th ODI appearance. Crikey.