Reuters
England celebrate after receiving the tournament winners' trophy at the end of their fifth one-day international match against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday. Sri Lanka beat England by 107 runs in the fifth and final one-day international, but England won the series 3-2.

COLOMBO, (Reuters):

DILHARA FERNANDO claimed a career-best six for 27 to propel Sri Lanka to a 107-run win over England in the fifth and final one-day international yesterday. England won the series 3-2.

Fernando, coming into the attack as first change, produced an inspired spell to bowl out England for a paltry 104 in 29.1 overs.

England were chasing a modest target after their bowlers had bundled out Sri Lanka for 211 in 48.1 overs.

Middle-order batsman Chamara Silva top scored for the hosts with a fine 73 from 109 balls that included nine boundaries.

Variations in pace

Sri Lanka were unable to defend an identical target on Wednesday, but England's batsmen struggled yesterday against Fernando, who mixed aggression with clever variations in pace.

However, it was left-armer Chaminda Vaas (2-36) who broke through first as Phil Mustard (one) was acrobatically caught by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara.

Fernando, introduced into the attack after a three-over burst from Lasith Malinga, struck early when Ian Bell (11) was deceived by his slower ball and caught at mid-on.

Opener Alastair Cook (28) edged behind to leave England in trouble on 56 for three.

But England still looked on course on 72 for three until Fernando trapped captain Paul Collingwood (two) lbw in the 18th over, a dismissal that sparked a dramatic collapse with the final seven wickets falling for just 32 runs. Lasith Malinga, who finished with 2-24, finished off the innings as Monty Panesar gave Sangakkara his fourth catch of the innings.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's batsmen showed more positive intent after three consecutive defeats, starting the innings with a 45-run opening partnership between Sanath Jayasuriya (26) and debutante Dilruwan Perera (30).

But England's bowlers, as they have done throughout the series, maintained their discipline and chipped away with regular wickets.

Jayasuriya cracked two sixes and one four in his 18-ball 26 before driving a slower delivery from James Anderson straight to Pietersen at mid-off.