1st ODI: Cook upbeat after Jordan’s all-round show

England captain gives teammate seal of approval after win over Sri Lanka

LONDON: England captain Alastair Cook was in an optimistic mood after Chris Jordan's ‘fantastic’ all-round performance helped put his side 1-0 up in their five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Jordan was at the heart of England's 81-run Duckworth-Lewis victory in Thursday's rain-marred clash at The Oval, his former home ground.

Now with Sussex after being released by Surrey, the Barbados-born all-rounder starred with both bat and ball in the day-night clash at his old home ground.

His unbeaten 38 not out off just 13 balls helped propel England to 247-6 in their 29 overs.

And the fast-bowler then took three wickets for three runs at a key stage in the game to derail Sri Lanka's pursuit of 226 in 32 overs after a second rain delay.

New England number three Gary Ballance weighed in with a valuable 64 and Ian Bell made a typically elegant 50 but Cook was in no doubt that Jordan, who finished with three from 25 in six overs, had turned the match the hosts' way.

"It was a fantastic performance," said Cook, who had little to celebrate during England's 5-0 Ashes series thrashing in Australia.

"To come in and whack it like he did – he hit a really clean ball, against a very good death bowler [Lasith Malinga] – was a credit.

"That extra 30-odd we got in the last two overs gave us that momentum swing we really needed.

"He probably didn't start off as well in the first two overs [with the ball]. But when he came back, he flew in and he bowled quickly.

"Those wickets he got, it looked very uncomfortable batting."