LEEDS:Mahela Jayawardene produced a beautifully crafted 144 from 150 balls as Sri Lanka thump England by 69 runs in the second one-day international at Headingley on Friday .
Faced with a stiff target of 310, England threatened for a while, particularly while Eoin Morgan was compiling a 37-ball half-century, but eventually succumbed to 240 all out.
Earlier, Jayawardene made 144 – his highest score in 343 ODIs surpassing his 128 against India at Sharjah in 2000 – as Sri Lanka looked to level this five-match series at 1-1.
A couple of reckless run-outs reduced Sri Lanka to 45 for two in the 10th over after England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to field.
But a record stand of 159 between former captains Jayawardeneand Kumar Sangakkara, who made 69, turned the tide Sri Lanka’s way.
Angelo Mathews kept the runs coming with a brisk 46 not out off 30 balls while Jeevan Mendis’ unbeaten seven included a hooked six off Stuart Broad that saw Sri Lanka past 300.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann – who dropped Jayawardene – led England’s attack with two wickets, both stumpings completed by wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter to remove Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
But the seamers suffered with Broad, Tim Bresnan and Jade Dernbach managing just one wicket between them for 203 runs in a combined 28 overs. (Agencies)