AMY JONES and Tammy Beaumont both hit half-centuries as England cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at Katunayake to complete a 3-0 one-day international series win.

Jones and Beaumont put on 127 for the first wicket, their record fourth 100 opening partnership for England in ODIs.

“That’s pretty cool,” Jones told the England and Wales Cricket Board’s website. “I didn’t really know that. I love batting with Tammy and we work pretty well together, so it’s great to get another 100 partnership.”

Sri Lanka, whose defeat in Hambantota made yesterday’s final match a dead rubber, won the toss and elected to bat, recovering from a poor start to set a victory target of 175.

Kate Cross claimed the wickets of both openers inside the first 10 overs, with Sri Lanka slumping to 52 for four. Harshitha Madavi, though, made 42 to help push the total into three figures before she was caught and bowled by Alex Hartley.

Oshadhi Ranasinghe (29), Nilakshi De Silva (19) and Inoshi Priyadharshani (one) were all then run out. Cross finished with two for 25, while Anya Shrubsole and Hartley both also had two wickets as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 174 in the final delivery of the innings.

England soon set about the Sri Lanka attack, putting on 127 for the first wicket as Jones chalked up a third ODI half-century before she was bowled by Sashikala Siriwardena for 76, which came off 58 balls with eight boundaries and three sixes.

Beaumont was out in the 25th over, also bowled by Siriwardene, having made 66, with nine fours.

Lauren Winfield finished unbeaten on 29 and captain Heather Knight was three not out as England claimed victory when they reached 177 for two in the 27th over.

“It was a really clinical performance,” Knight said. “The bowlers really put a shift in, especially the seamers. It was so hot today. They had three shirt changes during the first innings, so for them to bowl the way they did, and the spinners chipping in was really nice.

“And the way we finished it off, we just made it look very easy and it isn’t always easy, so to make it look like that is brilliant.”