Disappointing start for Cook

England's new one-day captain Alastair Cook fell cheaply on his return to the side before heavy rain delayed the first one-day international against Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval.

Cook was playing an ODI for the first time in 15 months, taking the opening berth and captaincy from predecessor Andrew Strauss, but failed to answer any of the critics who question his aptitude for limited-overs batting.

He fell third ball for five, with Jonathan Trott and Craig Kieswetter taking the hosts to 35 for one from seven overs before the skies opened.

Cook got off the mark with a single from the first ball of the match and proceeded to send his second through the onside for four.

Cook's perceived inability to hit over the top has been much discussed but in that neat flick off the pads, he showed precision is also an asset in powerplays.

Unfortunately, his promising start was cut indecently short when Lasith Malinga bowled another average delivery at his pads only for Cook to feather through to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara attempting another leg glance.

At the other end Kieswetter looked a little rusty, playing out a maiden off Nuwan Kulasekara and seeing a leading edge fall just short of the ring fielders.

Trott, on the other hand, had little problem finding his feet. His first three scoring shots were boundaries, with two in three balls off Malinga.

Kieswetter found the ropes for the first time off his 20th ball, drilling Kulasekara through the covers with perfect timing.

With dark clouds overhead the floodlights were on full beam before 2pm, and moments later the umpires led the sides off as thunder and lightning started.