Rain could save England

They barely deserve it after their pitiful first-innings effort, but England could well end up drawing the third and final Test against Sri Lanka after rain hit day four in galle. More bad weather is forecast for the final day so if England's batting can hold out for a few hours, they could get away with a draw.

It won't stop them from losing the series but it will prevent a 2-0 loss and perhaps lift their morale after what had been an awful day three as they slipped to 81 all out.

Second time round, they looked much more solid and focused and Alastair Cook and Ian Bell held firm to leave England 102-1 at stumps. Bet365 make the draw now a 1/5 (2.20) shot, while Sri Lanka are 10/3 (4.33) and England are 500/1.

I liked the way Bell stood up to the barracking of the Sri Lanka close fielders on Friday and if they do get some play on day five, all the England batsmen will need to stay strong, mentally as much as physically.