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SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, Wednesday - The Sri Lankans galvanized with the return of Aravinda de Silva and some clever and intelligent spin bowling by Thilan Samaraweera (3 for 34) playing in his first game and Upul Chandana (3 for 35) on a wicket that was taking enormous spin beat England by 11 runs in their penultimate game of the tournament here today. Although the Lankans are only going through the motions having been knocked out of the tournament yet it was a victory to savour. When the Lankans made 181 for 7, it looked as though the Englishmen would notch up another victory. But they never bargained with the fighting qualities of the Lankans who finally seemed to have got their act together and excelled in their bowling and fielding aspects to register this victory.

When Sri Lanka batted Aravinda de Silva who has recovered from a torn thigh muscle underlined what his presence in the team could have done to raise their game. Playing in a game against Australia 'A' in Melbourne before the Lankans played in the Carlton and United series, going for a quick single he tore a muscle and went out and with that all meticulous planning by the Lankans how they would go in the series fell flat.

He made his first appearance in Perth against England, missed the game against Australia and here at the SCG cracked a ball a run 52 n.o. entertained the sparse gathering. The England bowlers could do nothing as he put them to the sword with beautifully timed strokes allround the wicket.

Had he played in all games, his steadying influence would have been inspiration to the Lankans and I make bold to say that Sri Lanka would have won most of the games and figured in the best of three finals. When he opened the bowling with his off spinners he turned the bowl viciously.

The rains that greeted the Sri Lankans when they arrived from Perth continued and heavy rain overnight left the outfield saturated and after a couple of inspections the umpires Simon Taufelx and Tony McQuillan agreed to start play at 4.30 pm. Sydney time with the game reduced to a 44 overs aside bash.

The ground staff here were doing their best to get rid of the water that was logged on the outfield by using the super sopper. The draining system on the ground has been found wanting in recent times and a new draining system is to be installed soon.

Before the game began Suresh Perera had split his hand at the nets which necessitated two stitches and was ruled out of the game. Arjuna Ranatunga lost the toss this time and Adam Hollioake who substituting for Alec Stewart asked Sri Lanka to bat. Stewart was suffering cricket fatigue and rested.

Avishka Gunewardena who came in for the injured Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kuluwitharne gave the Lankans a solid start from which to build a big score. They put on 71 for the first wicket, before Gunewardena who made 24 rushed down the wicket to be stumped. Gunewardena showed some good attacking strokes although having only one four. Kaluwitharne came good after a poor run and made 54 in 87 balls with 5 fours. He played some lovely drives and pulls and who knows what might have been had he been in this form in the previous games. But sadly the Lankans could not build on the sound opening and lost their way when their middle order collapsed. This could be attributed to change in the batting order and Ranatunga from whom much was expected failing to score. It was then left to vice captain Aravinda de Silva who was playing in only his second game on tour and Hashan Tillekeratne to add 47 for the eighth wicket and take Sri Lanka to 181 in their 44 overs. De Silva made 52 in 52 balls with 5 well struck boundaries and a six off the last ball. It was a revelation to see him playing the reverse sweep although he did not connect. Tillekeratne who gave de Silva good support remained unbeaten on 13. De Silva too was unbeaten. Surprisingly of all the bowlers used by Hollioake, it was Mark Alleyne bowling gentle medium pacers who had 3 for 27 which also was his best one-day international bowling figures.