MOEEN Ali and his England team-mates were frustrated by the weather as the second warm-up match of their tour of Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

England had been due to play a second match in three days against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in preparation for the seven one-day Internationals.

But a wet outfield meant the game at the P Sara Oval in Colombo was unable to get under way.

Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen had wanted to build on his superb start to the tour after a 21-ball half-century and 3-29 with the ball against Sri Lanka ‘A’ on Friday.

The abandonment means Alex Hales, James Taylor, Ravi Bopara and Harry Gurney will have had no game-time ahead of the first ODI in Colombo on Wednesday.

Hales was replaced by Moeen at the top of the order on Friday — an opportunity the 27-year-old seized with both hands.

There was plenty of media discussion about Moeen going in first alongside skipper Alastair Cook.

But it is a role he has occupied in one-day cricket at county level for several seasons.