Team talk motivated England

Up for it: Ryan Sidebottom led England's attack with aggression at Dambulla © Getty Images

England's impressive 65-run victory in the second one-day international against Sri Lanka came on the back of an honest team meeting which laid down where each player could improve. The squad sat down after their 119-run drubbing in the opening game and openly discussed how they could set about hauling themselves back into the series.

They turned words into deeds on the field at Dambulla as they skittled Sri Lanka for 169 on Thursday after Owais Shah's 82 had given them 234 to defend. The fast bowlers led the way, with Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad taking vital early wickets, and they were backed-up by Graeme Swann who continued his eye-catching return to England colours.

"It was all about jogging the memory," said Sidebottom. "As a team in general, nobody likes criticism but we all talk to each other about how we can improve and maybe the batsmen will pitch in with what they can see. We don't handle criticism very well but as a team you've got to do that and I think we've done that sitting down for 10 minutes.

"It's not about having a go at players, it's just reinforcing what we could have done better and what we should have done that we didn't do - it's not criticism, it's helping each other out to improve."

Sidebottom, who missed the series against India last month with a side strain, removed Upul Tharanga in his first over and followed up with the vital scalp of Kumar Sangakkara to put Sri Lanka onto the back foot. Despite a slow pitch he registered 89mph, the quickest bowling of the match ahead of Lasith Malinga and James Anderson.

"I wasn't aware of being the fastest bowler until I came off the pitch, but I suppose I built up a bit of rhythm and I was a bit fired up," he said. "We wanted to win, it was an important game and we didn't want to go 2-0 down in the series. It was up to myself and Jimmy to set the tone for the innings and we did that by getting a couple of early wickets."

At the end of his follow through, Sidebottom was regularly seen shouting at himself as he had done during the home season. It is an unorthodox method of motivation, but one he says works well. "I do it now and again," he added. "I suppose it's a bit of a gee-up for myself and the team. It shows the opposition that they're in a bit of a fight with us.

"We've over here to win, we're not here to make up the numbers. We know it's a difficult place to come but any one per cent we can find that gives us an edge then that's great."

There is one match remaining in Dambulla before the teams travel back down to Colombo for the final two games of the series. Rain has arrived in the capital over recent days, so whoever takes the honours on Sunday will hold a crucial advantage.