Sri Lanka vs England: Alex Hales replaces Ian Bell as Chris Woakes makes early breakthrough before rain stops play

Hales joined Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes in the side for the third ODI as Bell, James Tredwell and Harry Gurney were dropped

England dropped Ian Bell and brought Alex Hales back to bat at number three in the third one-day international against Sri Lanka.

After two defeats so far in this seven-match series, the tourists decided on three changes in all at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Captain Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali's opening partnership will not be disturbed. But further down the order, Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes return - with no James Tredwell or Harry Gurney.

Sri Lanka won the toss on an increasingly cloudy afternoon ahead of this day-night match, and brought Thilina Kandamby in for Mahela Jayawardene - who is missing the fixture for personal reasons.

Chris Woakes made an early breakthrough in the second over, before the players left the field with dark clouds casting the ground into semi-darkness and threatening heavy rain.

It was too late for Kusal Perera, just dismissed for a duck when he cut aerially to point.

Sri Lanka were six for one after two overs when the interruption came.

PA