Former Amersham and Gerrards Cross batsman Alex Hales contributed as England picked up their first win of their one-day international series against Sri Lanka.

The 25-year-old played his part with a knock of 27 from 29 balls to help his country take a much-needed five-wicket win in the third instalment of a seven match series.

After losing the first two games England were desperate for a win in a match which was reduced to 35 overs due to torrential rain in Hambantota.

England fielded first and were set a target of 236 to win by the Duckworth Lewis method.

Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes had done the damage with the ball for the tourists taking three wickets from his allotted seven overs.

Captain Alastair Cook – who has subsequently been given a one-match ban for his side’s slow over rate – shared an opening stand of 84 with Moeeen Ali before he edged behind to Kumar Sangakkara, bringing Hales to the crease at number three.

The Nottinghamshire batsman shared a stand of 19 with Ali before a mix-up as the pair tried to sneak an extra run caused Ali to depart having been run out.

That episode showed no signs of effecting Hales, who put on 41 with Joe Root before he holed out to mid-on off the bowling of Angelo Matthews.

England wobbled after his departure losing their next two wickets for just eight runs.

Root, alongside the fast scoring presence of Jos Buttler, steadied the ship, and guided England to victory with eight balls to spare.