England v Sri Lanka 4th ODI, Colombo

Sri Lanka vs England
4th ODI, Colombo, 10th Oct, 2007

A thoroughly convincing all-round performance from England earned them a first-ever series win in Sri Lanka as they won the 4th one day international by 4 wickets in Colombo.
Despite being asked to bowl first on a wicket that, in contrast to Dambulla, was batsman friendly, England managed to restrict the hosts to a rather modest 212. Ryan Sidebottom was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3 for 27 in his ten overs, combining miserly accuracy and late movement to great affect, particularly in the opening overs. James Anderson bowled himself back into form, picking up his first wickets of the series, dismissing the dangerous Jayasuriya and the Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena in his spell of 3-33. Stuart Broad continues to make a name for himself, and has developed a healthy knack of picking up wickets at the right times, his ‘golden arm’ accounting for both Sangakarra and Chamara Silva. Indeed it was Silva and Sangakarra who formed the only meaningful partnership of the Sri Lankan innings. Coming together at 20-3, they attempted to rebuild, and did so with some success, although at the expense of improving the run-rate. Credit must go to England’s bowlers though as they restricted the home side to only twelve boundaries in the entire fifty overs and after Broad had broken a 120 run stand between Silva and Sangakarra, Sidebottom and Anderson returned to make sure that the lower order did not make a nuisance of themselves. Graeme Swann will be disappointed not to have made more of an impact with his off-spin, although he provided a useful foil to the quicker men, while Ravi Bopara was unlucky not to pick up at least one wicket in his first bowl of the series, umpire Tyron Wijewardena turning down several vociferous LBW shouts against Chamara Silva.
Phil Mustard once again set about the Sri Lankan attack with positive intent; looking to force the pace early on he was caught and bowled by Fernando for a run a ball 19. Mustard had already hit two boundaries in the over, and although he might have got somewhat carried-away, it is difficult to criticise considering his role is an attacking one. Ian Bell looked assured and Ally Cook composed as the pair put on 50 for the second wicket before Bell holed out to mid-on trying to pull the leg-spinner Lokuarachchi. This enabled Kevin Pietersen to make his first meaningful contribution of the series, and despite several intervals of heavy rain, Pietersen and Cook moved England steadily towards victory, with a stand of 120 in 22 overs. Cook was cruelly dismissed 18 runs shy of victory as he played on off the bowling of Fernando for a well made 80, while Paul Collingwood’s poor run continued when he fell LBW to the same bowler. Owais Shah survived the hat-trick ball, but was dismissed soon after, yorked by Lasith Malinga. All the while Pietersen watched on from the non-strikers end, quite content to simply be there at the moment of victory and indeed he was when a leg bye secured a 3-1 series victory.
A historic win for an England side that is steadily improving as a one-day outfit. Paul Collingwood has proved himself to be a determined leader, setting a fine example in the field, he is quite simply outstanding at backward point, and while he has not excelled with the bat as he has in recent time, he has made important contributions with the ball. In Sidebottom, Anderson and Broad, England have three seamers who are not only reliable but capable of taking wickets throughout an innings. It is especially pleasing to see how well they have adapted after a slightly off-colour display in the opening game of the series. It also worth noting that England have yet to bowl a no-ball in this series, a positive impact of the new law imposing a ‘free hit’ penalty for front foot no balls. The series victory all the more pleasing considering the strength of Sri Lankan cricket, although a Sri Lankan Test side inclusive of Muralitharan will be a totally different proposition and one that England must prepare fully for.