Pietersen in a spin

Kevin Pietersen's jinx against left-arm spin surfaced again on day four of the first npower Test between England and Sri Lanka after Alastair Cook's dismissal finally brought him to the crease in Cardiff.

With a result now unlikely and rain preventing play until 2.30pm, the tourists at last prised out Cook, ending his 274-ball stay for 133. By then his latest epic stand with Jonathan Trott (147 not out) was worth 251 but worse was to come for England, who reached tea 56 short of parity on 344 for four.

Pietersen's much-documented struggles with slow left-armers have become inescapable in the last two years and, even though his dismissal this time came from Rangana Herath's freakish shooter, it will not stop questions over his apparent decline.

Cook's long stay at the crease ended in untypical fashion when he went hard at a seaming Farveez Maharoof delivery and sent a thick edge into Prasanna Jayawardene's gloves at the wicket. He had added just four to his overnight total.

Pietersen was off the mark with two off Maharoof but was immediately skittish against Herath, Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner. He almost found himself run out by silly point after advancing down the track then prodding defensively.

Moments later, Herath got one to stay devilishly low, leaving Pietersen stricken on the back foot. Umpire Billy Doctrove judged that Pietersen had got some bat on it but, after a referral and a lengthy wait, he was given out.

Pietersen stood for a moment in disbelief before trudging from the field.

Ian Bell showed him how it was done, taking a couple of steps down the track and belting Herath for a straight six.

Trott followed that with a flowing drive for four off Maharoof.

Bell (28no) had some luck, first earning four from a woeful misfield, then being dropped on 19 when Kumar Sangakkara could not hold a very sharp chance at gully.