England Apply The Squishy Squashy

England, for so long the bug, are thoroughly enjoying being the windshield.

Admittedly they have been grandly assisted in this series by both the weather and the player strife Sri Lanka are suffering through doping allegations, dopey shot making, injuries and retirements, but never the less, every post has been turned into a winner.

A sodden Southampton has turned on the charm of its people to host its first Test match but to say the weather has let them down would be like Kevin Rudd claiming he's right behind the Prime Minister and not pushing. Only 24 overs were possible on the second day and Chris Tremlett again used ever ounce of the conditions to his and England's benefit to take four of the five wickets to fall. Heavy conditions or not, he poses a large threat to India in a few weeks.

Prassana was the best of the Sri Lankans, playing resolutely before falling in the manner of the brain dead, trying to slog-sweep Graham Swann when he first came on and placing it with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker into Eoin Morgan's hands at mid wicket. It was a strange end to a player who is much better than the last impression this innings left. Fernando, perhaps finally hearing the drums, lived the high life with a series of fours behind square on the off side - some of them intended. Anderson was his unluckiest victim.

From here, its a matter of how much time this game will provide in the middle as the forecast is a discouraging one. Rain should interfere less on Saturday and the sun might even provide a rare full day on Sunday but England will need their twenty wickets by the end of play as Monday looks a wet disaster.