SYDNEY, Australia, Feb 3 (AFP) - Sri Lanka beat an insipid England by 11 runs in a tri-nations encounter here on Wednesday to help the World Cup holders restore some pride.

The ressurgence came too late for Sri Lanka to qualify for the tournament finals, which will be disputed by England and hosts Australia.

But it raised their morale before they begin the defence of the World Cup in England in May and June.

In a match restricted to 44 overs a side after a rain-delayed start, Sri Lanka made 181 for seven after being sent in by acting captain Adam Hollioake, deputising for an injured Alec Stewart.

They then restricted England to 170 for nine.

England crumbled to Sri Lanka's five-strong spin attack on a deteriorating pitch.

For Sri Lanka, Romesh Kaluwitharana (54), Aravinda de Silva (52 not out in 52 balls) and Avishka Gunawardena (24) showed the way with the bat.

Kaluwitharana and Gunawardene opened with a 71-run stand off 17 overs but Sri Lanka crumbled to 134 for seven off 34 overs before a rescue act by de Silva.

Mark Alleyne finished with his best international figures of three for 27 off nine overs.

Despite missing the injured Muttiah Muralitharan, however, Sri Lanka's spinners settled the game.

Thilam Samaraweera finished with three for 34, Chandana had three for 35 and Mahela Jayawardene and Hashan Tillakeratne took one wicket each.

Nick Knight and Vince Wells slipped behind the run rate of just under four an over but had taken England to 53 without loss by the 17th over when Samaraweera struck with two wickets in three balls.

England took 13 overs to crawl from 39 to 79 in singles only and when Knight (58), John Crawley (13) and Mark Ealham (0) went in quick succession, England were on 122 for six in the 36th over.

England play Australia here Friday. Sri Lankan finish their tour at th=e Melbourne Cricket Ground Sunday when they take on Australia in the final qualifying match of the series.