DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka (Reuters):

A fine all-round performance from Graeme Swann helped England snatch a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international yesterday.

Swann was instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka to a paltry 164 all out in 41.1 overs, claiming career-best figures of 4-34 from 10 overs, and then scored a crucial 25 off 37 balls.

England lead the five-match series 2-1.

England had slumped to 107 for seven when Swann was joined by Stuart Broad (20 not out) for the start of an eighth-wicket partnership that produced 40 precious runs and swung the initiative back to the tourists.

Nerve racking

Broad then held his nerve after Swann had his stumps uprooted by a Dilhara Fernando yorker, guiding England home with seven balls to spare after an unbroken 17-run ninth-wicket stand with Ryan Sidebottom.

Broad had also made an impact with the ball, claiming 2-26 from eight overs.

Sri Lanka appeared to have claimed an early advantage by winning the toss and batting first but the top order collapsed and then Swann ripped through the middle. Left-armer Sidebottom was also on form with a penetrative new ball burst, finishing with three for 19 from 8.1 overs.