LONDON - Sanath Jayasuriya scored his 20th one-day cricket international century and took the vital wicket of Kevin Pietersen to inspire Sri Lanka to a 46-run win over England today.
Jayasuriya's 122 off 136 balls, full of trademark uppercuts over point and gully, set the foundation for the touring side's
319 for eight in the second one-dayer at The Oval before England, completely outclassed, subsided to 273 all out in the 47th over.
Pietersen made 73 off 76 balls but his departure, making it 176 for four in the 32nd over of the run chase, sealed the home side's fate.
Sri Lanka lead the five-match series 2-0. The sides next meet on Saturday at The Riverside in Durham.
Sri Lanka's total was their highest in one-dayers against England. Having opted to bat, they had to survive a fine opening burst from Steve Harmison before taking charge.
Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene (66) set the tone with a devastating display against England's young and wayward pace attack, putting on 160 in just over 23 overs for the second wicket.
The 36-year-old Jayasuriya, in his 359th one-day international, scored his runs off 136 balls, hitting 15 fours and two sixes. Bowling his canny left-arm spin, he also ended with three for 51.
Harmison, by far the best of England's seven bowlers, took three for 31. Sajid Mahmood, in contrast, was smashed to all parts as he conceded 80 off seven overs, taking two consolation wickets late on.
Harmison had made an early breakthrough, removing Upul Tharanga who snicked to first slip with 34 on the board. At the other end, though, the runs were soon flowing.
From 42 for one after 10 overs, Sri Lanka went into overdrive. The left-handed Jayasuriya carved anything short over the infield while Jayawardene, off the mark with a flicked six over square leg off Mahmood, looked in exquisite touch as they rattled up a century stand off 84 balls.
It took a run-out to get rid of Jayawardene, who failed to beat Ian Bell's throw after being sent back. Jayasuriya, though, kept dominating, even if his eventual departure, caught off another carve off Harmison to make it 259 for three, led to six wickets falling in the last eight overs.
Kumar Sangakkara contributed a highly polished 51 off 41 balls.
England's reply faltered early when Marcus Trescothick slashed an attempted drive off strike bowler Lasith Malinga to point with just 10 on the board. Strauss followed by the 10th over, mis-hitting a lofted drive off Farveez Maharoof's fast-medium into Muttiah Muralitharan's hands at mid-on.
Bell made 40 off 50 balls before an attempted pull at Malinga ballooned to mid-on and Pietersen was bowled, sweeping at Jayasuriya. Paul Collingwood made a neat 56.
By then, though, the game was all but lost, the innings ending with three run-outs.
- REUTERS
LONDON - Sanath Jayasuriya scored his 20th one-day cricket international century and took the vital wicket of Kevin Pietersen to inspire Sri Lanka to a 46-run win over England today.
Jayasuriya's 122 off 136 balls, full of trademark uppercuts over point and gully, set the foundation for the touring side's
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