PERTH, Dec 20 AAP - Paul Collingwood's maiden one-day international century guided England to 9-258 off 50 overs in its day-night cricket match against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground.

But the Sri Lankans only had themselves to blame for not restricting England to a minuscule total after missing five regulation chances in the field including Collingwood on 11.

The 26-year-old Durham batsman's timely knock of 100 off 127 balls featured four fours and two sixes on a day which topped 40 degrees celsius.

Collingwood rode his luck early in his innings as his side's batting lineup lost its way with some reckless shots.

He brought up his 100 by pulling a sharp short ball from Dilhara Fernando (4-48) for a single in the last over before being dismissed with the final delivery of the innings.

He was well assisted in resurrecting the England innings in his 27th one-day international by Craig White (48) and they put on 110 for the seventh wicket after England had slumped to 6-122.

Outstanding Sri Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas (3-36) earlier cashed in on some ambitious England shots ripping through the top order on a typically bouncy WACA pitch.

The 28-year-old left-armer claimed the scalps of openers Marcus Trescothick (15) and Nick Knight (11), and also Ronnie Irani for four.

But he should also have dismissed Collingwood after Thilan Samaraweera dropped a straightforward opportunity at first slip.

Poor fielding has been a sad theme of Sri Lanka's opening two tri-series matches after putting down three catches at the Gabba.

Knight and Trescothick opened the innings in aggressive fashion smashing opening bowler Pulsasthi Gunaratne out of the attack before Vaas struck.

The classy paceman sent both players back to the pavilion in the fifth over after they attempted to pull him over the infield.

Beleaguered No.3 batsman Irani entered and exited early again but not before almost running captain Nasser Hussain out and more than tripling his series average.

Irani survived second slip Russel Arnold dropping a sitter off Fernando's bowling but was unable to add to his score as Vaas trapped him in front.

Hussain was also given a chance edging the second delivery he faced between the wicketkeeper and first slip at waist height off Fernando as well.

But it didn't stop England's reckless array of shots with Collingwood top-edging a six off the unlucky Fernando before Samaraweera's costly miss.

Hussain (25) and Collingwood put on a half-century partnership before he was caught behind to the recalled Prabath Nissanka.

Veteran Alec Stewart only lasted three balls before he guided a Nissanka delivery to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip to be 5-93.

Fernando claimed his first scalp picking up the wicket of Ian Blackwell (19) just moments after Jehan Mubarak spilt a tough chance in gully off the same batsman in the same over.

However Collingwood and Craig White guided the score towards a respectable total with their sensible century seventh wicket stand.

Fernando finally received the rightful rewards for his fine bowling efforts picking up the last three wickets to fall.

© 2002 AAP NewsWire

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.