At Dambulla, October 4, 2007 (day/night). England won by 65 runs. Toss: England.
England reacted brilliantly to the defeat described by their captain, Collingwood, as "an eyeopener"
by beating their hosts for the first time in a one-day international on Sri Lankan soil since
their inaugural meeting in 1981-82. Shah ensured there was no repeat of the previous collapse
with an outstanding 82 in 92 balls, mixing wristy strokeplay and measured composure. He put
on 78 with Collingwood, though at one stage they went ten overs without a boundary, and later
helped to add 71 in the final ten overs. Even with that late surge, a target of 235 looked
straightforward enough, but Sri Lanka's reply was hindered by England's vastly improved bowling
performance - using the same variations of pace that had undone them three days earlier - and
by batting on a slow pitch under floodlights. Sidebottom set the tone by claiming two wickets in
his opening spell and, once they had slid to 90 for six, even Mubarak's spirited unbeaten 44 could
not prevent England's historic triumph.
Man of the Match: O. A. Shah.
© John Wisden & Co.
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Tony Greig Show: Why India have the advantage against Australia, England's team for India, and West Indies' continuing crises
