Giles, who has struggled for form for much of the past year, recently chose to change his action in search of an improvement in fortunes.

But everything was in good working order as the Warwickshire left-armer proved the hosts' main stumbling block on the way to 138 for four on another rain-shortened day.

He told Sky Sports: "I have been working hard for the last few months, and it's good to get some reward for it."

Giles and co feared the worst when the home side chose to bat first on a ground where England were well beaten in the first Test of their last Sri Lanka tour, before rallying to take the series 2-1.

"After they won the toss on a good deck, I think we came out of the day very well," he said.

Even so neither he nor anyone else in Michael Vaughan's team is about to get carried away.

"Let's not kid ourselves," he urged. "It's only the first day of 15, but it has been a good start.

"After our last experience here (in Galle), we were hoping to win the toss. But this bunch of guys just get up and get on with things."

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