Hussain unhappy with
careless England

Nasser Hussain has warned his "clumsy" England side against complacency after they slumped to a 23-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the triangular series one-day international.

Chasing a victory target of 230, England collapsed from 100 for two to 206 all out in 47.4 overs at Old Trafford.

Although England have already qualified for the final against India at Lord's on Saturday, captain Hussain insisted the result was a blow.

"Every player in our dressing room should be gutted by that," he told reporters.

"It was a match we should have, and could have, won.

"I believe everyone was up for it, but there is no question that every game we play is important, no matter what the circumstances.

"That's the way I look at it...you can't treat matches differently and now we have to pick ourselves up for the next one."

England meet India at The Oval on Tuesday.

Hussain was less than impressed by the manner of England's defeat, as Sri Lanka, who made 229 all out off 49.4 overs, recorded their first victory of the competition.

SOFT DISMISSALS

"We were clumsy...their score was a good one, but we gave away soft dismissals when we batted," said Hussain.

"We had a word beforehand and said we needed to make the most of the first 15 overs...we did that and we were strolling it at 100 for two.

"We had them where we wanted but whether it was us giving it to them or them working hard for it, things changed."

Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore welcomed the win but criticised the schedule imposed on his team in the series.

Their defeat to India at Edgbaston on Saturday -- their fourth in succession -- ended their chances of making the final.

"Playing back-to-back is hard. We tried to change the schedule before the tournament," Whatmore said.

"We got to Manchester from Birmingham at 9.30 pm (2030 GMT) on Saturday night...all over the world we are trying to change that sort of schedule.

"But the players did themselves proud."

Mail Cricket Editor