Knight leads England to competitive total

Opener Nick Knight continued his run spree to inspire England to 7-279 from its 50 overs against Sri Lanka in the series-shaping one-day match here today.

Knight struck a stylish 88 and veteran Alec Stewart a half century as England compiled its competitive total in sweltering heat at Adelaide Oval.

As temperatures hovered around 39 degrees Celsius, Knight was the star England performer in an encounter which will play a crucial role in deciding Australia's opponent in the tri series finals.

England entered the day-night encounter just one point ahead of Sri Lanka on the competition table, with both nations having two minor round matches remaining.

After his captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and batted on a true Adelaide pitch, Knight demonstrated why he was the tri series' leading runscorer by consistently finding gaps in the Lankan field.

The lefthander, who entered today's fixture with 352 runs at the imposing average of 70.40, struck just two fours and one six in his 112-ball stay today.

Knight was sedate early as his opening partner Marcus Trescothick blasted 39 from 42 deliveries at the top of the innings.

Trescothick was dismissed attempting a crude cross bat slog from Chamila Gamage's bowling, bringing Michael Vaughan to the crease for his first one-day appearance this series.

Showing no signs of a knee injury which flared after the Ashes series against Australia, Vaughan breezily struck 28 from 34 balls before mistiming a pull shot to be caught by Chaminda Vaas at wide mid-on from Dilhara Fernando's bowling.

Hussain made 18 before Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya snuck a delivery through bat and pad which clipped off stump.

Knight fell soon after when caught behind from Vaas' bowling and the next ball Ian Blackwell was adjudged lbw for a golden duck.

Vaas was denied his hat-trick by Paul Collingwood, who combined with evergreen Stewart for a handy 54 run stand from 46 deliveries as the Englishmen lifted the tempo in the latter overs.

Stewart finished with 51 from 59 balls and Collingwood 18, including a six.