Moeen Ali struck twice in three balls to put England in a promising position in the first match of their World Cup winter but failed to capitalise as Sri Lanka responded from a slow start. Moeen, who learned the previous day that he will replace Alex Hales in this fixture as Alastair Cook's new opening partner, made his mark on proceedings with the ball by taking the wickets of Niroshan Dickwella and then Dinesh Chandimal for a second-ball duck. On a stodgy pitch after a rain-delayed start which reduced the match to 43 overs per side, the hosts - a line-up containing nine international players - won the toss and moved to 66 for three after 15.
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Off-spin bowler Moeen Ali took three wickets including Dinesh Chandimal
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England restricted Sri Lanka to 122-6 thanks to Ali and Steven Finn
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However Sri Lanka responded to add 76 unanswered runs
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England are chasing 198 after Sri Lanka A's innings in a reduced 43 overs
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Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali will open for England against Sri Lanka A
Then Moeen made short work of former @placeholder one-day international captain Chandimal, who pushed forward and edged straight to Cook at leg-slip.