LEEDS, July 2: Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya’s dashing hundred could not prevent his side going down to a third triangular series defeat in three games, against England, who beat them by three wickets here at Headingley on Tuesday.

Opener Jayasuriya’s 112, the left-hander’s 12th one-day century, was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s 240 for seven in a match reduced to 32 overs per side by rain. But a Lankan bowling attack, without injured off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and minus seamer Buddika Fernando after the decision to call up batsman Avishka Gunawardene, did not have enough firepower to contain England.

Marcus Trescothick top scored with 82 before Paul Collingwood (38) and Alec Stewart (38 not out) saw their side to within four runs of victory.

That left Darren Gough (three not out), playing his first senior match after sustaining a knee injury in the final match of England’s one-day series against New Zealand, to hit the winning runs with four balls to spare.

Earlier England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff defied Jayasuriya’s onslaught to finish with impressive figures of two for 18 from his seven overs

Scores: Sri Lanka 240 for 7 (32 overs)

England 241 for 7 (31.2 overs) —AFP