Vaughan urges caution

Michael Vaughan is keen to see England retain their status in the rankings © Getty Images

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England captain Michael Vaughan has urged his team to retain their conservative gameplan for the must-win final Test despite the delayed start.

More heavy rain in the south of Sri Lanka encouraged match officials to put the scheduled start time of an emotional and historic Test back two hours to 12pm.

Only victory for England can preserve their status as the second best side in the Test rankings by virtue of a 1-1 draw at the newly-developed international ground, which was devastated by the 2004 tsunami.

However, despite the latest and most severe disruption to their plans to triumph under the 16th century Dutch fort, Vaughan is preaching patience.

"The team has to be in a good position to push for the win and you don't get that by being too aggressive on day one," he said. "You can't get too far ahead of yourself.

"You really do have to put everything in place to let the game take its natural course on days four and five."

Although both teams were able to practise on the ground on Monday - regular evening downpours left expansive boggy patches on previous days - concerns remained over whether playing conditions could be up to Test standard in time.

Vaughan spent the early minutes of England's midday session conversing with International Cricket Council match referee Jeff Crowe and umpires Asad Rauf and Daryl Harper.

The wet weather has played havoc with preparation of the ground and the match officials spent the morning surveying an unkempt outfield - not dry enough to cut - and a pitch still worryingly damp despite hours of baking under the hot sun.

Galle has suffered deluges

At one stage the idea of putting back the match a whole 24 hours was considered, although that would have created logistical problems with both travel, so close to Christmas, and television scheduling.

Decisions on the suitability of facilities on the field are under the umpires' jurisdiction while Crowe has to consider the safety aspect for spectators.

When the latest deluge descended, the finishing touches had not been completed in the middle, so Crowe announced the late start.

England have been uncomplaining throughout the few days here, respectful of the fact that the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami devastated this ground and took the lives of so many in the area.

"As we speak it is not in ideal condition but there is a bigger picture for the game of cricket," Vaughan said during the net session. "We just want to get out there and play.

"We realise a lot of time, effort and commitment have been put into this ground and we are delighted to be the first time here to play after such a huge disaster.

"We're ready to play in the conditions. It looks pretty good - there seems to be a little bit of moisture in it - but it is amazing how much pitches change in 24 hours over here.

Vaughan is ready to play

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"Yesterday it was completely green and today all the grass is off it."

Yorkshire swing bowler Matthew Hoggard, returning from a back injury, and off-spinner Graeme Swann have been named in a 12-man squad while Steve Harmison is also included despite suffering from an ear infection.

It will take something of a reversal in form for England to maintain their second-placed Test rating, having won only one of 13 overseas matches since claiming the 2005 Ashes.

"It is important to us because you never want your ranking to drop," said Vaughan. "But there are a lot of good things happening around the team and whatever happens this week I am sure, if we continue to work and progress the way we are, Test match wins will come sooner rather than later. We're very much a team in progression.

"There are areas of concern: first-innings hundreds is one of them and we obviously haven't got 20 wickets here yet.

"But I have seen enough to suggest that could happen here this week.

"We just have to continue with the level we showed in Colombo, try to grab our chances in the field and try to convert our fifties into hundreds and big hundreds."