Harmison has been playing in South Africa after hernia surgery

Steve Harmison is not expected to feature on day one of England's opening tour match in Sri Lanka in Colombo.

It is thought the Durham fast bowler, who only flew into Sri Lanka two hours before the game began, will play on either Wednesday or Thursday.

Paceman Jimmy Anderson has taken the field after shaking off a back strain suffered in the nets on Sunday.

England lost the toss and are fielding in the three-day game against a Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI.

606: DEBATE I don't think Harmison should be recalled to the starting XI - not because he doesn't deserve a place, but that the other candidates deserve it more J01H1

The hosts had reached 174-3 at tea, with Test hopeful Upul Tharanga unbeaten on 76.

The match is a pick and mix affair, with England having named 12 men in their team for the start of the game.

Lancashire paceman Anderson has already been bowling but Harmison, who has just completed a successful spell in South Africa after recovering from hernia surgery, will have to wait for his chance.

The England players gather round to see the snakes in Colombo

The first session was enlivened by the presence of two snakes yards from the boundary edge.

The majority of the England players made for the area when the session ended, although the cobras had slid under a wall by the time the crowd gathered.

England have two warm-up matches before the three-Test series gets under way in Kandy on 1 December.

Sri Lanka are notoriously difficult opponents on their own turf but will go into the series on the back of a 2-0 series defeat away to top-ranked Australia.