England dig deep for series win

Cricket:  Paul Collingwood applauded his England side after they bounced back from 1-0 down to win a one-day series in Sri Lanka…

Cricket: Paul Collingwood applauded his England side after they bounced back from 1-0 down to win a one-day series in Sri Lanka for the first time.

Today's five-wicket win in the fourth ODI gave captain Collingwood's men an unassailable 3-1 lead with one match to play.

It was also England's first one-day series away victory against one of the sub-continents superpowers since 1987.

"Before we came out here, a lot of people wrote us off," said the captain.  "After the first game it was difficult work. The way the boys have bounced back has been a credit to the players.

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"It's great to win a series. Coming out to Sri Lanka, you've got difficult conditions.  Special mention to the bowlers today.  A great effort. It was really really hot out there. All the boys have been superb since day one."

Collingwood said: "We learnt a lot form the Sri Lankan bowlers.  The bowlers went away, worked on their skills, came back and have bowled fantastically well since.

"We've got a real good buzz, a real feel-good factor in the dressing room at the moment."

Opposite number Mahela Jayawardene admitted his side were well beaten and congratulated England on their historic win.

He said: "We haven't been playing some really good cricket the whole series and I think it showed today as well.

"Up front they bowled pretty well.  It was always a struggle unless we took early wickets, which we didn't. They got a couple of partnerships we couldn't capitalise on. It wasn't enough runs."

Asked if his side were struggling for confidence, he added: "I guess so, especially with the bat. We were not confident enough to go out an express ourselves.

"I'm very disappointed with the batting the whole series."