London: England captain Alistair Cook fell for 17 as Sri Lanka left the hosts at 98-3 at lunch on Thursday's opening day of the first test at Lord's, after the tourists won the toss and elected to bowl on a green pitch.
The Australian-born debutant Sam Robson, playing on his home county pitch, departed for only one run when he was caught by Prasanna Jayawardene off the bowling of Nuwan Pradeep in the fourth over.
Cook followed his new opening partner in the sixth, when he chopped the ball onto his stumps trying to cut a Nuwan Kulasekara delivery to leave England on 22-2.
Gary Ballance, up to third in the batting order, added 23 to England's total before he was caught behind for Pradeep's second wicket of the day.
At the interval, Ian Bell was unbeaten on 41, with Joe Root on 6.
Bell, playing in his 99th test for England, looked in good touch for the hosts as he hit six fours, and they will be hoping that the duo can form a lengthy partnership at the crease to prevent early exposure of the tail.
England named three debutants for the test, with Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan also promoted, while Liam Plunkett was included for his first test in seven years.
