Sri Lanka hold off England in opener

Nov 26, 2014

Rain delayed the start of the opening ODI but play was only held back for an hour and England chose to bowl first•Getty Images

Kusal Perera overcame his lean series in India with his own strong innings as the opening pair added 120•Getty Images

Jayawardene and Dilshan got the innings moving in a stand of 76 and a total of over 300 was looming•Getty Images

However, some late hitting, including Angelo Mathews' 33 off 24 balls saw Sri Lanka post an imposing 317•AFP

In contrast to Cook, Moeen Ali was in fluent touch and stroked his way to a 25-ball fifty - the second highest for England in an ODI. And it was just the start for him•Getty Images

Jos Buttler sparkled briefly but dragged into his stumps as England began to stutter badly•Getty Images

However, England were poor with the new ball as Tillakaratne Dilshan made a bright start•Getty Images

But England found two quick wickets including Kumar Sangakkara lbw for only 2 against Moeen Ali•Getty Images

Dilshan was set for a century after cruising to 88, it would have been his 18th in ODIs, but he fell to a fine return catch by Chris Woakes and it sparked a mini England revival•Getty Images

England's chase began in remarkable style as Alastair Cook was given out lbw to consecutive balls but both times was saved on review•Getty Images

But wickets began to fall at the other end. Thisara Perera had Ian Bell caught at slip...•Getty Images

But Moeen Ali continued to play his strokes and brought up a maiden ODI hundred off 72 balls - the third-fastest for England in ODIs•AFP

And Alastair Cook was inches away from taking Mahela Jayawardene at leg slip first ball, but from there the innings started to get away from England again•Getty Images

James Tredwell took two wickets in two balls, including Jayawardene for 55, caught down the leg side•AFP

Dilshan's offspin saw Cook given out lbw for a third time and on this occasion had to go for 10•Getty Images

...and also removed Joe Root caught behind cheaply•Getty Images