Sri Lanka vs. England, 3rd ODI, 2014: Highlights, Scorecard and Report

England earned a morale-boosting five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international in Hambantota.

The hosts won the toss and made 242-8 in a match reduced to 35 overs after heavy morning rain at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

England reached their revised target of 236 with eight balls remaining after a partnership of 84 between Joe Root and Jos Buttler.

The victory means they now trail 2-1 in the seven-match series.

Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne scored half-centuries to help Sri Lanka set a stiff target after their innings was interrupted after two overs by a deluge of rain.

The hosts, either side of the break, stuttered to 31-3 with Chris Woakes removing Kusal Perera and Thilina Kandamby for ducks.

Sangakkara, who made 63 from 62 balls, and Tigers captain Angelo Mathews (37) put on 87 in 14.2 overs before both were removed by Chris Jordan.

Wickets fell at the other end, but Thirimanne reached 50 from 39 balls and finished unbeaten on 62 with Sri Lanka smashing 62 runs from the final five overs.

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@ECB_cricket @OfficialSLC #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/xEr107PBtx

— Khawaja Talha Javed (@TalhaJavedPTI) December 3, 2014"

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#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/9PcbAuwTWE

— Khawaja Talha Javed (@TalhaJavedPTI) December 3, 2014"

England needed 6.74 runs per over and started well with under-pressure captain Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali putting on 84 for the opening wicket.

Cook was caught behind off Dhammika Prasad, one of four Sri Lanka spinners, for 34 in the 12th over and Moeen was run out for 58 soon after.

England were 144-2 in the 22nd over before losing the recalled Alex Hales (27), Ravi Bopara (6) and Eoin Morgan (1) in the space of nine balls.

The visitors needed 78 from the final 10 overs and scored 30 off the final powerplay.

With required 40 off 24 balls, Root hit a six and then was reprieved after being caught off a Prasad no-ball.

Buttler proceeded to hit three consecutive boundaries to change the momentum of the match which culminated in a Root six.

The Yorkshire batsman made 48 not out off as many balls with Buttler swatting 55 from just 37 deliveries, and England will now go to Colombo on Sunday with renewed vigour.