Stuart Broad took the first wicket of the tour for England

A spectacular thunderstorm midway through the afternoon session brought day one of England's opening tour match in Sri Lanka to a premature close.

England had been toiling in tropical heat in Colombo, with three dropped catches helping the Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI reach 218-3.

Upul Tharanga boosted his chances of a Test recall with an unbeaten 92.

Durham paceman Steve Harmison sat out the day after flying into Sri Lanka just two hours before the match began.

England will employ all 16 members of their touring party during the three-day warm-up match and Harmison, who has just enjoyed a successful spell in South Africa as he recovers after a hernia operation, will take part in the final two days.

606: DEBATE Whenever England struggle to take wickets in Asia; you can be certain that the match report will contain excuses about the heat! SCA

In his absence, Stuart Broad took the chance to claim the first wicket of the tour in his second over, and the 13th of the innings, when Dilruwan Perera gloved a short one through to the keeper.

Harmison arrived at the ground after lunch and soon witnessed a double breakthrough.

Ryan Sidebottom, who shared the new ball with Matthew Hoggard, trapped left-hander Malinda Warnapura lbw on the back foot and home captain Tillekaratne Dilshan skied Monty Panesar to deep cover to make it 126-3.

Tharanga, whose chances of a Test recall have been strengthened by Marvan Atapattu's retirement, enjoyed a hefty slice of luck on 62 when Paul Collingwood put down a chance at slip off Panesar.

Tharanga gave the selectors a timely nudge with an unbeaten 92

James Anderson is still suffering stiffness in his back and although he came on first change he did not return until after tea.

He induced Chamara Kapugedera (48no) to edge to gully but Alastair Cook grassed a regulation chance.

Despite England's opening-day struggles, off-spinner Graeme Swann said it had been a valuable workout.

"I don't think anyone should read into how the bowlers bowl in this game. It's a case of just getting everyone a bit of rhythm," he explained.

"It's been a long time since any of us have played four-day or five-day cricket and it's just about getting used to the rhythm of the game again, getting used to bowling your overs and thinking batsmen out.

"It was a good honest day's work. Everyone came in hard and in the heat and humidity It wasn't easy but I thought Ryan bowled superbly.

"He seemed to hit his rhythm quicker than anyone and it's a very good omen for England if he's bowling that well so early on in the tour."

No-one had run quicker than a slow jog for the first hour of the game and all of a sudden people were sprinting to see this "anaconda" Graeme Swann

The first session at the Colombo Cricket Club was enlivened by the presence of two snakes, yards from the boundary edge.

Most of the England players made for the area when play halted for lunch, although the serpents had slid under a wall by the time the crowd gathered.

"Apparently there was this monster at long-leg and KP [Kevin Pietersen] went over with a stick to show his African roots and how he would deal with it.

"I had a look and could only see two or three inches so it was nothing unusual as far as I could see!

"It's amazing what two hours of first-class cricket can do to your mind.