England bag ODI series

England beat Sri Lanka by 18 runs via the Duckworth Lewis method in the rain-marred fourth one-day international on Saturday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a target of 274, England were comfortably placed at 132 for two after 27 overs when rain forced the players off.

No further play was possible in the penultimate match of the series and England were 18 runs ahead. Joe Root was unbeaten on 32 with his ODI counterpart Eoin Morgan 31 not out, the duo adding a crucial 56 for the unbroken third-wicket partnership.

Earlier, half-centuries from opener Niroshan Dickwella and middle-order batsman Dasun Shanaka and some useful contributions from the lower order helped Sri Lanka to 273-7 after being put in to bat.

SCORES IN BRIEF

Sri Lanka: 273 for 7 in 50 overs (Dickwella 52, Shanaka 66; Moeen 2-55)

England: 132 for 2 in 27 overs (Roy 45, Root 32 not out, Morgan 31 not out; Dananjaya 2-27)

Result: England won by 18 runs (DLS Method)