Strauss and Trott hit tons as England declare 272 for 4

Daily Mail: Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott compiled chanceless centuries on day two of England’s pre-Test warm-up but Ian Bell’s struggles continued on a flat pitch in Colombo.

Responding to the Sri Lankan Development XI’s 431 for six, the England openers shared a stand worth 197, both retiring upon reaching three figures to allow others some time at the crease.

But Bell, who had a woeful time against Pakistan and lasted just two balls in his previous innings on tour, fell tamely for 14 to leave him well short of runs ahead of next week’s first Test

Strauss declared with his side 159 behind, improving Bell’s chances of a second bat on the final day, and the hosts finished on 44 for one.

England were made to field for almost an hour in the morning session, conceding 55 runs before reaching the agreed first-innings maximum of 100 overs.

Angelo Perera was the only man out, upper-cutting Steven Finn to third man for 85. But the Middlesex seamer did no more or less than Tim Bresnan to push his Test case and England will have been most pleased to see Stuart Broad get another three overs in on his injured ankle.

Trott got the England reply going by nudging his third ball for four and punched Vishwa Fernando for another boundary in the fourth over.

Strauss found his feet with successive fours off Fernando two overs later, but Tharanga Lakshitha was keeping the batsmen honest at the other end.

A confident Strauss pull off Isuru Udana, followed by an inside edge to the fine-leg boundary off the same bowler, kept the total ticking along.

Later on Strauss made his bold declaration at 272 for four.

After a free-scoring eight overs at the close, the Development XI were 203 ahead.