COLOMBO, Dec 9: A male streaker ran on the field on the opening day of the second cricket Test between England and Sri Lanka on Sunday, forcing play to be halted for three minutes.

The unidentified man, part of the nearly 3,000-strong band of travelling England supporters, sprinted from the stand next to the Press Box just as Muttiah Muralitharan was about to bowl to Paul Collingwood.

He took two cartwheels on the field as bemused fans and players looked on, before returning to the stand where local police were waiting to escort him out of the Sinhalese Sports Club.

England, looking for a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Kandy, were at that stage 197-3 in the post-tea session.

Local journalists said it was the first instance of a streaker appearing at a cricket match in Sri Lanka.—AFP