England in strong position

Chasing England's competitive 234 for eight, Sri Lanka were reduced to 115 for six after 30 overs in reply to put them on course to lose their first match against these opponents on home soil since 1982.

Owais Shah was the architect of England's total with 82 off 92 balls, which helped the tourists recover from 61 for four after winning the toss and deciding to bat first. He shared crucial partnerships with Paul Collingwood and Graeme Swann and became the mainstay of the innings.

Shah, who hit five boundaries in his superb innings, added 78 off 98 balls with Collingwood despite neither player hitting a boundary for 11 overs at one stage.

That stranglehold was broken when Collingwood hit two fours in an over off Sanath Jayasuriya's left-arm spin but the partnership was broken when the England captain was given lbw playing around a straight delivery from seamer Dilhara Fernando.

His demise was followed in the next over by Ravi Bopara, bowled around his legs by off-spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan, leaving Shah with the responsibility of guiding England to a respectable total.

Shah took the lead role in a 70-run partnership off 69 balls with Swann, who was once again preferred to Monty Panesar because of his greater ability with the bat.

Swann hit an enterprising 34 off 37 balls before being run out pushing for a three and Shah's innings was halted in the final over when he was brilliantly caught at mid-off by Chamara Silva.

Sri Lanka slumped to 38 for four despite Kumar Sangakkara being dropped twice in the first three overs, but Mahela Jayawardene teamed up with Dilshan in a crucial 52-run stand which put Sri Lanka back on course for victory.

Just as the momentum seemed to be swinging in Sri Lanka's favour, however, Swann justified his selection ahead of fellow spinner Monty Panesar by bowling Dilshan with a turning delivery, and Collingwood removed Jayawardene in the next over when he chipped to Kevin Pietersen at midwicket.