The chances of good weather for the remaining two Tests of the series are far better.

December should be better but they are still expecting six inches of rain! John Kettley BBC weatherman

But as the rain fell like stair-rods outside, Michael Vaughan's men need only have looked at the statistics to see how ill-advised a November tour of Sri Lanka is.

In a country that sees around 88 inches of rain each year (Manchester gets 35ins), November is on average the third wettest month.

The reason, says BBC weatherman John Kettley, is the north-east monsoon.

"There are two monsoons in the year - the south-west in April and May and the north-east in October and November," Kettley explains.

"The wind pattern switches and there is a deluge of rain from the Bay of Bengal.

"December should be better but they are still expecting six inches of rain!"

England have already seen two one-day internationals ruined by the weather, to the frustration of the travelling fans who have dedicated their holiday budgets to watch them.

But with an average 11 days in November affected by rain those who planned the tour can hardly have been surprised.

At least, with two more Tests in the next two weeks, it normally rains on just six days in December.

Kettley, a keen cricket follower, is in no doubt as to why the problem is becoming worse in world cricket, and he lays the blame on the International Cricket Council.

"The ICC league table means teams are being forced to play more Tests so they have to fit them in at what may not necessarily be the best times.

The good news for England is that the weather should improve

"It's the same in England, where they have been forced to play Tests in May.

"South Africa and Zimbabwe are the only countries where the traditional cricket season clashes with the wet season."

England's winter plans have been dictated by the need to tour the West Indies early next year, in the November - June window between hurricane seasons.

Less lucrative tours have to be fitted in where they can.

The only solution for teams who have to play in Sri Lanka in November might be to begin play earlier in the day, although Kettley believes dew could be a problem.

For this Test match, showers should become more isolated as the game progresses, with the greatest chance of more rain on Thursday's third day.

But if they wanted to avoid the rain, England should never have toured Sri Lanka at this time of year.