James Kirtley bowled himself into contention for a Test place as England took control on the first day of their warm-up match against a Sri Lankan President's XI in Colombo.

The Sussex fast bowler claimed the first four wickets to fall before the home side's innings was curtailed by a downpour during the tea interval.

They will resume ton Thursday on 142-8 after Kirtley returned figures of 19-4 to strengthen his case for a place in the first Test at Galle, starting next Tuesday.

He was originally scheduled to fly home with the other one-day specialists two days ago but has been kept on the island as cover after James Anderson injured his right ankle.

"It was a very simple day for me in that it was a game I didn't expect to play in," said Kirtley.

"So the pressure is very much off me, I am not trying to compete and I am not under any pressure to do anything. I am just out here to bowl and keep it very simple.

"On days like this, if you are relaxed, things work for you more often than not.

"But the way I am looking at it is I am here as cover for James Anderson and very happy to be here."

But for a drop low down at first slip by Graham Thorpe and two seemingly blatant leg before appeals which were turned down, Kirtley could have had an even stronger case to stay beyond next week.

Ashley Giles, one of three spinners named in an England team led by Andrew Flintoff, built on Kirtley's success by snaring three wickets after lunch.