Harmison checks Sri Lanka recovery

GALLE, Sri Lanka -- Steve Harmison kept England in the game as Sri Lanka reached 147 for four on the first day of the third and final test in Galle.

England enjoyed the best of the first and last sessions while Sri Lanka's third-wicket pair, Kumar Sangakkara (46) and Mahela Jayawardene (51not out), dominated the afternoon with a stand of 88.

Harmison was in good form for the tourists, snapping up three wickets for 28 on an emotional day as test cricket returned to the stadium devastated during the 2004 tsunami.

Play started two hours late because the outfield was saturated by heavy rain, but officials put back lunch so that the first session occupied 90 minutes. It was also planned to add an extra hour at the end of the day, but bad light forced a premature close.

England, trailing 1-0 in the series, put the home side in and made a solid start by picking up two wickets for 44.

Matthew Hoggard returned after missing the second test with back trouble, but it was his new ball partner Ryan Sidebottom who struck the first blow, assisted by a charitable umpiring decision.

Upul Tharanga had been let off when Paul Collingwood failed to hold a straightforward chance off Harmison but England were in luck when Sidebottom rapped Michael Vandort on the pad soon afterwards.

TV replays suggested the ball would have gone over the stumps but umpire Asad Rauf ruled in favor of the bowler with the total 34.

Sangakkara was given the benefit of doubt in the mind of umpire Daryl Harper when England vociferously appealed for a catch at the wicket off Hoggard but the next decision went England's way, Tharanga being adjudged leg before to Harmison, making it 44 for two.

Vice-captain Sangakkara was then joined by skipper Jayawardene and they soon turned the game in the hosts' favor. They were untroubled until the second over after tea when Sangakkara hurried his shot against Harmison's short delivery and sent the ball steepling to deep square leg, where Monty Panesar was ecstatic to hold the catch.

As the light worsened Harmison had Chamara Silva caught at slip by Ian Bell before play was halted for the day. E-mail to a friend