A steady downpour has cost England the chance of sealing an early victory on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.
The dismal weather caused play to be delayed for nearly six hours, leaving just 34 overs to be bowled in the evening session.
To compound the home side's frustrations, the Sri Lankan batting pair of Michael Vandort and Tillakaratne Dilshan formed a resolute fifth-wicket stand of 125 to ensured the third day closes at a stalemate.
Finally, as stumps drew close, England bowler Matthew Hoggard exacted the important breakthrough. It was Dilshan (59) who succumbed, when the gritty batsman missed an ugly forcing shot off the back foot to be trapped in front of his stumps.
The visitors started the third day precariously poised on 86-4 and many expected a swift result.
However, Vandort, in his first Test match against an opponent other than Bangladesh, remained defiant on 89 not out at the close of play.
At the other end is Farveez Maharoof, who is yet to get off the mark.
Sri Lanka, batting in their second innings after scoring a paltry 141 in their first, ended the third day at 194/5 in response to England's first innings haul of 295.
