8 Apr 2012

England crusies to win against Sri Lanka in Colombo

7:51 am on 8 April 2012

The England cricketers have beaten Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second and final test in Colombo to retain their number one ranking.

Spin bowler Graeme Swann claimed a match haul of 10 wickets.

Swann followed his 4-75 in the first innings with 6-106 in the second as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 278 at the stroke of lunch on the fifth day .

England, set a target of 94, coasted home by eight wickets despite a brief stutter at 31-2 following the dismissals of skipper Andrew Strauss for a duck and Jonathan Trott for five.

Alastair Cook, 49 not out, and Kevin Pietersen (42no) carried the tourists home with a third-wicket stand of 66 in 69 balls.