Cricket: Now go win it; We have to maintain the pace says captain.

Byline: By MYLES HODGSON

PAUL COLLINGWOOD has warned that England's first win in Sri Lanka for 25 years will mean nothing if his side do not go on and win the five-match one-day series.

Yesterday's 65-run victory at the Rangiri International Stadium was England's first one-day victory on Sri Lankan soil since Ian Botham inspired their only previous win back in 1982.

But despite their efforts in bouncing back from an opening match trouncing and without main strike bowler Andrew Flintoff, who is rumoured to be out until next season, captain Collingwood stressed only a series triumph would satisfy his demands.

Asked about the historic win, Collingwood insisted: "I'm not really that interested in that - we've got a series to win out here and there's no point coming out here and only winning one game.

"We want to come out here and win a series. Tonight we set the benchmark. We set the standards we want to keep for the rest of the series and go even higher if possible, ecause I know Sri Lanka will bounce back hard and we have to be better every time we go onto the pitch.

"Tonight was exceptional. We've put in a special performance and there was a lot of hard work put in the nets and talking about the game and where we could improve. To take it onto the field so quickly is a special thing.

"It shows they are fast learners, but it's only one game and we've set the standards in this game but we want to keep on improving and go on and win the series."

It was Owais Shah who provided the touch and guile required to claim the famous triumph.

Born in Karachi but raised in England from a young age, Shah demonstrated an ease in sub-continental conditions to hit a match-winning 82 off 92 balls.

Shah's composure helped England recover from a shaky 61-4 to reach a competitive 234-8 before Sri Lanka were dismissed for 169 to seal the triumph.

Humbled on Monday, England's young side regrouped to post a competitive total despite their top order once again failing to set a platform.

Unlike Monday evening, when England were dismissed for 150 by playing cricket far too aggressive for the conditions, this time the middle order paced themselves perfectly, with Shah and captain Paul Collingwood happy to keep the score-board ticking over.

Shah also got enthusiastic support from Graeme Swann, once again preferred to Monty Panesar for the extra batting he provides. The pair added a crucial 70 off 69 balls to take England past 200.

Denied early wickets on Monday, which enabled Sri Lanka to reach a formidable total, England were immediately able to put their talented hosts under pressure following an outstanding opening spell from left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom.

Restored to their one-day plans after missing the series win over India with a side strain, Sidebottom frustrated Sri Lanka's free-scoring batsmen with a spell of 8-2-18-2 and set the tone for the rest of the attack.

He struck with his second ball, tempting Upal Tharanga into driving outside off-stump and edging to Alastair Cook at second slip to give England a flying start.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan forged a determined 52-run stand which had put Sri Lanka back on course and above the rate when Swann was introduced in the 23rd over of the innings.

Just as he had done with the bat, Swann had an immediate impact and turned his third delivery past the inside edge of Dilshan's attempted drive to clip his off-stump.

It was a key breakthrough and, with Collingwood snaring Jayawardene in the next over when he forced off the back foot to Kevin Pietersen at mid-wicket, England began to dream of their first victory since names like Botham, Gower and Gooch were on their team-sheet.

Swann also removed the dangerous Farveez Maharoof with a sharp return catch as Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 36 runs in 12 overs to seal their fate.

CAPTION(S):

Ryan Sidebottom (right) celebrates with Kevin Pietersen after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya