England emerged from the opening two-day examination of their fitness and form encouraged by the early progress key players have made as they step up preparations for the Test series in Sri Lanka.

A positive result was always unlikely in the two-day fixture against a talented Colts XI, but both the time spent in the energy-sapping sun and the performances of several players will brighten their outlook as they prepare for tomorrow's first-class match against the President's XI in Colombo.

Off-spinner Robert Croft, making his first England appearance since angrily turning on the selectors for his omission in Pakistan, was given the lion's share of the bowling and earned two wickets, Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick both looked sharp and Michael Vaughan spent valuable time at the crease.

''It was very satisfying because everyone got a bat and everyone got a bowl,'' stressed captain Nasser Hussain. ''A few of the boys are tired because no matter what you do in training or in the field, it's not the same as having 80 overs in the field.

''The quick bowlers felt it after tea, but that is the whole point of going through with this match. We have only had two net sessions because of the weather earlier in the week and this was like another net.

''We had to use it as a practice match, shuffle the bowlers around, not take too much notice of the scoreboard and just make sure we didn't overdo it too early in the tour.''

Resuming 230 behind on 22 without loss, the Colts XI gave England everything they can expect in the coming months - attacking batsmen prepared to take on the spinners coupled with less flamboyant strokemakers and a great deal of frustration as they battle against the intense heat.

Gough was first to find his radar by dismissing both openers in successive overs, but the tourists had to wait a further 37 overs before they finally broke the stubborn 104-run stand between Malintha Perera and Surendra Kumar.

It finally fell to the newly-shaven headed Craig White to break the stand by bowling Perera for a determined half-century.

Croft reaped the rewards for switching ends by dismissing Kumar in identical fashion in the next over as he advanced down the pitch.

Andrew Caddick took three wickets, two in successive deliveries, before Croft brought about their declaration on 232 for eight by bowling Muthu Pushpakumara for 54.

''I was very pleased with Croft,'' revealed Hussain. ''I didn't want to over-bowl him and in this part of the world they they were always going to attack him."

Michael Vaughan played his first meaningful innings in the three months since suffering the calf injury which sidelined for most of the Pakistan tour.

England had seven overs to negotiate before the two captains agreed to settle for a draw.

After his fifth ball duck in the first innings, Vaughan again looked shaky on the inconsistent surface and survived a strong lbw appeal before he had scored.

He made only two runs, but at least he survived 32 minutes at the crease.