England moved rapidly from crestfallen to clinical against Sri Lanka at the Gabba as they finally ended their 13-match drought in Australia. After making 292 off their 50 overs, England's youthful bowling attack restricted Sri Lanka to 249 for six in reply, giving England victory by 43 runs.

A steady opening by England's new-ball pairing of Andrew Caddick and James Anderson soon made inroads into Sri Lanka's batting line-up. Caddick, up to 88 mph at times, had Romesh Kaluwitharana caught behind as he top-edged a pull, Alec Stewart running back to hold the catch. Anderson took his second one-day international wicket as Sanath Jayasuriya, driving too early at a slower ball, was held by Nasser Hussain outside the circle at mid-off.

A brilliant catch at backward point by Paul Collingwood, diving to his left with reverse hands, off Steve Harmison's third ball in one-day internationals accounted for Kumar Sangakkara (11) to reduce Sri Lanka to 63 for three. Sangakkara stood his ground, but was sent on his way after a consultation between the two umpires in the middle.

Marvan Atapattu, who had looked solid for his 38, found Harmison's extra pace too much as he fenced outside the off stump and Nick Knight took a straightforward slip catch. Although Russel Arnold added 75 with Mahela Jayawardene, the two were never up with the required rate before Jayawardene (71), trying to run the ball down to third man for the umpteenth time, was caught behind off Craig White. Jehan Mubarak was caught at mid-off, driving at Anderson, and despite an unbeaten half century from Arnold, an England win thereafter was a formality.

Earlier an innings of 79 from Hussain, who won the toss, and 64 off just 60 balls from Stewart enabled England to reach their highest total of the series. Stewart provided the innings with crucial impetus, hitting a six and four fours. England had been struggling at 73 for three when Hussain and Collingwood (37) initiated a revival that the Surrey veteran consolidated.

It was another uncertain start for England, with opener Marcus Trescothick dropped twice inside the first six overs. He fell in the seventh, cutting Chaminda Vaas to Jehan Mubarak at point. After two ducks in the series so far, Ronnie Irani made just one before being dismissed in the same way.

Knight, with 181 runs from his first two innings, made another 29 and added 25 with Hussain until he cut Dilhara Fernando to point, where Jayawardene took the catch. Collingwood joined Hussain for the best partnership of the England innings, 72 in 71 balls which ended when the Durham all-rounder clipped Arnold to Jayawardene at mid-wicket.

Stewart entered with England on 155 for four with 20 overs remaining, and by the time he was out the total had reached 278 for seven. Stewart was bowled by Jayasuriya after Ian Blackwell had boosted England further with 24 off 12 balls, but England lost their last five wickets for 14 runs in the final four overs. But thanks primarily to the bowling of Anderson and Harmison, who have just three England one-day caps between them, their 292 was enough to win the game at a canter.

© CricInfo Ltd.

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.