Three days away from the start of the Test series against Sri Lanka some of England's players enjoyed a visit to the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in the town of Kegalla

Paceman Matthew Hoggard was keen to get as much of the visit on film as possible, soaking in the surroundings of the 32-year-old sanctuary, which is set in 24 acres of land

England will be hoping key left-arm spinner Monty Panesar can show similar control when the three-Test series gets underway at the Asgiriya Stadium at the weekend

Graeme Swann is not sure of his place, unlike Nottinghamshire colleague Ryan Sidebottom, but the off-spinner has continued having fun in the country after impressing in the one-dayers

Rehydration will be the key for the tourists in searingly hot and humid conditions over the next three weeks and Hoggard looks for some help from one of the elephants

And the experienced swing bowler, who has started the tour with a bang, taking eight wickets in the final warm-up game, is properly cooled off by his new friend

On drier land, all-rounder Ravi Bopara plays it somewhat safer by feeding one of the young elephants - he will be hoping for more strenuous activity on Saturday