Kevin Pietersen was the only notable batting failure as England's warm-up contest headed for a draw against a Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI.

Pietesen made just four before he was surprised by an effort ball from Nuwan Kulasekera which looped off the shoulder of the bat to gully.

England racked up 315 for six as their batsman all spent valuable time in the middle against a competitive home attack.

Opener Alastair Cook hit 63 while captain Michael Vaughan (38) was the only other dismissal as England replied to a mammoth 500 for five declared at Colombo Cricket Club.

Vaughan showed moments of class, hitting seven boundaries, before being adjudged lbw to Malinga Bandara.

England had piled up 241 by tea, with the top-order batsmen making the most of a docile surface.

Leg-spinner Bandara was punished by Cook whenever he dropped short and there was only one moment of mild concern prior to Vaughan's dismissal, in fact, which came when the Essex batsman squeezed a leading edge low but well short of mid-off early on.

Ian Bell, promoted to number three for this trip, displayed his current confidence with a big straight six off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Moments later Cook was celebrating the first 50 of the tour, which was somewhat muted due to the fact the majority of his colleagues were investigating another reported sighting of a snake behind the advertising boards.

Play once again began half an hour early in a bid to claw back some of the time lost to thunderstorms on the opening two days.

England were tested with long periods against spin but responded with general good use of the feet - Paul Collingwood lofted one straight six and followed up with another via a slog-sweep in the same Bandara over.

Bell called it a day at the drinks break, having contributed 49, while Collingwood also passed on the baton shortly after registering a 67-ball 50.

Owais Shah (38) then shared a sixth-wicket stand of 53 with Ravi Bopara (40 not out), one of his rivals for a Test place, before retiring.

Wicket-keeper Matt Prior (18 not out) was the eighth man in, while Phil Mustard and the seven bowlers did not bat in this 16-a-side game.