Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen rescued England from a slump to 14 for two on a rain-marred third day of the third Test at the Rose Bowl here on Saturday.

England were 69 for two in reply to Sri Lanka's 184, a deficit of 115 runs, at tea.


England's Kevin Pietersen (left) and Alastair Cook run between the
wickets on Day 3 of the third Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl in
Southampton on Saturday. pic/AFP

Cook was 32 not out and Pietersen 27 not out with their third-wicket stand so far worth 55 runs.

Spectators booed after Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar decided tea, after only 4.4 overs were bowled after lunch because of rain, would be taken even though conditions were then arguably at their best all day.

England were in trouble following the early loss of skipper Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott.

Strauss, concerningly was dismissed cheaply by Chanaka Welegedara for the third time in as many innings.

He managed just three runs before he opened the face of his bat against Lankan left-arm seamer Welegedara to a ball he could have left and gave a simple catch to Tharanga Paranavitana at first slip.

Sri Lanka, 177 for nine overnight, added just seven more runs. Welegedara was last man out. Dilhara Fernando was a Test-best 39 not out