 Fernando bowled with plenty of pace to claim three wickets |
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said his side's controlled bowling effort was the key to their 20-run win over England in the opening one-dayer. After the tourists made 257-9, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando took three wickets each to limit England to 237-9.
"We probably finished 30 runs short after the start we had but the bowlers did a brilliant job," Jayawardene said.
"The pacemen were disciplined at the start and the end and the spinners came in and did the job in the middle."
He added: "For Dilhara to come back after a long time was brilliant and Lasith has been the find of the tour for us."
 | We've given him the licence to do what he wants and he's done a brilliant job |
England conceded 42 extras when they bowled, with 23 runs conceded to the Sri Lankans in wides.
Jayawardene's men gave away only 12 extras by contrast and the skipper felt that was the key.
"It's all about mistakes," he explained. "I've been telling the guys the fewer you make the better for you in the end.
"Our guys bowled wicket to wicket, put a lot of pressure on them and got the rewards they were looking for."
The mainstay of Sri Lanka's innings was young opener Upul Tharanga, who hit his third one-day international century.
| We let ourselves down at the beginning of the innings with the ball and bat |
The 21-year-old has been one of the successes of the tour and Jayawardene insisted he was not surprised.
"Upul showed a lot of maturity and character but we knew he had the potential - he's been playing like this for a year and a half.
"He's a batsman who has a lot of confidence, we've given him the licence to do what he wants and he's done a brilliant job.
"The way he handled Steve Harmison at the beginning and the way he finished was fantastic."
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Interview: Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene