England bowlers get it right

Collingwood plays vital cameo as England take control vs Sri lankaDefying all odds, England turned in a rousing performance in the Champions Trophy yesterday and were 132 for three (32 overs) in reply at press time yesterday after dismissing Sri Lanka's formidable batting line up for 212.With top order stalwarts Dilshan Tilakaratne (2), Sanath Jayasuriya (0), Kumara Sangakkara (1) and Mahela Jayawardene (9) back in the pavilion for just 17, Sri Lanka were on their knees.But stout resistance by middle order batsmen Thilan Samaraweera (30), who had a narrow escape when the Sri Lankan bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore, Thilina Kandamby (53) and Angelo Mathews (52) helped the team, which had beaten South African in the tournament opener on Tuesday attain a semblance of respectability. James Anderson finished with three for 20 off 9.3 overs, Stuart Broad three for 49 and Graham Onions two for 58.Before start of the match, England captain Andrew Strauss admitted that England's one-day form had been a matter of concern for a number of years. In the meantime I maintain we are capable of beating anyone but we haven't had the consistency over the years. A change in environment can make a big difference. We have to start looking forward.We have not played Ajantha Mendis before, said Strauss, whose team had been routed 6-1 by Australia in the recent one-day series at home.Everyone will have his own game plan against him. You can look at a lot of footage of him, but it is only in the middle that you can be really sure of how he bowls and what his variations are.It requires us to think pretty quick on our feet. There are some fundamentals you have to keep in mind against someone like him, but it is a new challenge.The way he (Mendis) bowls makes life difficult for batsmen, but to an extent the pace he bowls at provides opportunities for batsmen as well once you get used to his variations. Sri Lanka are a good side with a lot of confidence. England lost Joe Daley, leg before to Nuwan Kulasekara with the score just nine. Owais Shah joined skipper Strauss, but the real battle with Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan had not yet begun.