Further rain frustrates England

(PA)

England's hopes of forcing an unlikely win on the final day of the first npower Test against Sri Lanka were dashed by more rain at Cardiff's SWALEC Stadium.

For the fourth day in five, morning showers prevented the players taking to the pitch for the scheduled 11am start, meaning a draw looked the only feasible result.

England closed last night on 491 for five, after 203 from Jonathan Trott and 133 from opener Alastair Cook, but that represented only a 91-run lead.

Ian Bell, for one, will be hoping some play is possible as he looks to score the two runs required to register a 13th Test century, while Eoin Morgan, who is 14 not out, would like a chance to push his case for selection again at Lord's next week.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Doctrove will assess conditions when the weather clears.