Watford-born Steve Finn helped England to victory over Sri Lanka in their latest one-day international today, reducing the hosts’ lead to 3-2.

England had trailed 3-1 in the seven-match series after Sunday’s six-wicket defeat in Colombo, but the tourists rallied to seal a five-wicket triumph and maintain the intrigue ahead of the penultimate ODI.

The 25-year-old took one for 28 from six overs as England removed their hosts for 239. The former Parmiter’s School pupil removed Kusal Perera for a duck as England made an early breakthrough.

James Taylor again impressed in England’s reply, making 68 from 90 balls, but a superb unbeaten 104 from Joe Root saw them over the line after play was extended into a second day due to rain.

On Sunday Finn finished without a wicket for 61 runs as England were undone by Kumar Sangakkara’s 86.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, England were all out for 265, with Taylor’s 90 from 109 balls and Eoin Morgan’s 62 off 47 deliveries the highlights.

The tourists had no answer to Sangakkara though, who smashed his way to 86 from 105 deliveries, and was supported by Angelo Mathews’ knock of 51.

The sixth ODI takes place in Pallekele on Saturday.