Play had barely begun before fans streamed to watch football

While it should be remembered that Old Trafford was under water at 7pm last night, today's spectators turned up to see the players from both teams happily knocking up and practising their fielding on the outfield.

Quite how the umpires summoned up the courage to pass on the news that, in their view, the ground was not fit, and the start was delayed for an hour, I do not know.

Understandably, this drew an angry reaction from some sections of the crowd which were able to enjoy only a few minutes of cricket before leaving the terraces to take up their position in the adjacent car park.

Position secure

So, at least half of the spectators were missing when Alec Stewart raised his bat to acknowledge the applause for his 15th Test century.

Under the circumstances, few will have been so important to him because now, surely, his Test place can be guaranteed.

Stewart's Test place is surely now secure

The selectors should now put the speculation about Stewart's position into the background by stating that he will be the first choice in both one-day cricket, and Tests, until the end of the World Cup next February.

This would lay the issue to rest once and for all, and give James Foster the season of county cricket he needs to harden him up before leaving for Australia as Stewart's deputy.

Although Sri Lanka set off positively, I can't believe that they really think they can make a match of it.

Racing along at five runs per over, they soon had Nasser Hussain setting defensive fields. England's hopes of embarrassing the visitors had been hampered by a rib injury that sent Andy Caddick from the field.

But Atapattu was despatched to the local infirmary by a hostile delivery from Andy Flintoff that reared up and struck his right index finger.

From that unfortunate start, Sri Lanka did well to lose just one further wicket and they now look well placed to save the game.