Manchester: Sri Lanka beat England by 23 runs in its triangular series One-day International at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chasing Sri Lanka's modest 229, England was all out for 206 as the tourists recorded their first victory of the tournament and the home team suffered its first defeat against the Lankans.

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya led from the front, his slow left-armers yielding three for 38 in what was a productive day for spinners on both sides.

No England batsman managed more than the 29 scored by both Nick Knight and Paul Collingwood. The match itself was a 'dead' fixture because, after losing its four previous triangular matches, Sri Lanka had no chance of making Saturday's Lord's final.

Earlier Sri Lanka lost its last eight wickets for 67 runs after winning the toss, occasional England off spinner Michael Vaughan taking career-best One-day figures of four for 22. Recalled wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara top scored with 70.

The next match of the series is a dress rehearsal for the final with England playing India at The Oval on Tuesday.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Scorecard of Match 7: Sri Lanka vs England