England in command

Ryan Sidebottom claimed two early wickets to lift England hopes of a famous victory in Thursday's second one-day international against Sri Lanka.

Sidebottom dismissed both openers during his new-ball burst and helped restrict Sri Lanka to 46 for four in pursuit of England's competitive total of 234 for eight at the Dambulla International Stadium.

The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer struck in his first over to remove the dangerous Upal Tharanga, who flashed at a wider delivery and was caught by Alastair Cook at second slip.

He should have claimed a second wicket in the same over with Kumar Sangakkara playing an almost identical shot two balls later only for Cook to miss a far more comfortable chance.

Sangakkara was missed again in the next over when he edged a lifting delivery from Anderson but wicketkeeper Phil Mustard failed to take the difficult chance.

But Sidebottom earned his reward for an impressive opening spell by striking again in the sixth over and removing Sanath Jayasuriya, who was playing his 400th one-day international, when he drove to Ian Bell at cover.

Stuart Broad added to Sri Lanka's problems by ending Sangakkara's innings seven overs later when he induced him into edging behind to leave England firmly on top and hopeful of securing their first win on Sri Lankan soil since 1982.

Broad strengthened England's advantage in his next over when he dug the ball in short and Chamara Silva was only able to fend it off to gully where Collingwood took the catch.

England's innings had followed a similar pattern and after winning the toss and deciding to bat first they slumped to 61 for four to leave them in danger of suffering another humiliation similar to Monday's 119-run defeat.

But they were propelled to a competitive score by a determined innings of 82 off 92 balls from Owais Shah, who forged crucial stands with Collingwood and Graeme Swann.