Mahela Jayawardene on way to his century

Headingley: Mahela Jayawardene struck an imperious century to inspire Sri Lanka to a convincing 69-run win over England in the second one-day International in Leeds on Friday, levelling the five-match series at 1-1.

Jayawardene’s classy knock of 144 off 150 balls — his 15th ODI hundred and highest score — helped the visitors post a formidable 309 for five wickets.

England started positively, reaching 201 for four wickets after 38 overs, with Eoin Morgan (52) in prime form. Yet his dismissal triggered a stunning collapse, with England losing their final six wickets for just 39 runs.

Spinners Suraj Randiv (3-43) and Jeevan Mendis (2-31) were instrumental in stifling the hosts’ run chase, which if successful would have been England’s biggest on home soil in Odis.

All of England’s top-order batsmen got themselves in good positions but none of them were able to go on to make a big score, with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Captain Alastair Cook impressed with a rapid 48 off 52 balls but was caught on the off-side boundary by Angelo Mathews off the bowling of Randiv, leaving England on 85-2.

Lasith Malinga then took a sensational diving catch to his right as Mendis dismissed Kevin Pietersen (13).

Jonathan Trott (39) was bowled by a yorker from Suranga Lakmal but Morgan stepped up the run rate. He departed when he was deceived by the flight of a Randiv delivery.