Collingwood rescues flawed England

England 258-9 Sri Lanka 163 England win by 95 runs

Judging by the mood of Nasser Hussain during England's victory over Sri Lanka yesterday, it is safe to say that the captain will not be playing Santa Claus at his squad's Christmas Day lunch. Despite winning their second VB one-day series match in a row, by the comfortable margin of 95 runs, there was more "bah humbug" about Hussain than "ho, ho, ho" here at the WACA.

Hussain had every right to show his displeasure, too. Because, although England won this match, and moved above Australia to the top of the table – Australia have played two games less than England before we start getting too carried away – it was by no means a good performance. With the bat it was only through the efforts of Paul Collingwood, who scored a responsible and composed maiden hundred for England, and Craig White that Hussain's side posted a competitive total. In the field there was also vast room for improvement as the bowlers failed to gain the support they deserved.

"I wasn't so much angry," Hussain said at the end of the game, "it is just that we need to win. It is as simple as that. We showed when we batted it only takes one partnership in one-day cricket for a game to slip away from you and I just thought I would let them know that. We cannot become complacent. This winter should have showed us that by now."

It was just as well one batsman in England's top seven did not show such characteristics. Collingwood described himself as being "shocked and jolted" when omitted from the side that played in the first two one-day games against Australia. Yesterday, in more than 40 degrees of heat, he cemented his place in the team. But he would not have been playing without the England coach Duncan Fletcher having had a quiet word in Hussain's ear.

"The coach persuaded me to play him." Hussain said. "He [Fletcher] has a very good eye for a player and he has always raved in my ear about Colly. Duncan has gone on about his character and today he showed it. Colly played well. Both he and White batted sensibly. They took the runs that were on offer. It is only his neck injury that has kept him out of the side because he has been a big part of our one-day plans."

Arriving at the crease with England's innings floundering on a good pitch, the Durham all-rounder's first job was to try to patch up the damage created by the top three and it was only when White arrived that he found a worthwhile ally.

England were 122 for 6 at the time and in "the last chance saloon", according to their captain. They could have been further up the creek had Thilan Samaraweera held on to a simple catch at slip, offered by Collingwood when he was on 11. But this chance, along with four others, was shelled by Sri Lanka, who looked dreadful in the field.

Realising this could be the break he needed, the 26-year-old Collingwood played with the control of a seasoned campaigner. He made it look easy as he manoeuvred the ball into the gaps as both he and White put together a match-winning partnership of 110.

Their level-headedness was highlighted by the fact they only hit seven boundaries between them on a ground where the ball normally flies around. They were helped, not only by dropped catches, but by Sri Lanka having to bowl at least 10 overs of spin during their innings. Such bowling was nudged skilfully into the gaps without the slightest risk and it allowed England's score to creep up to a respectable level.

Knowing his side were fortunate to be in such a strong position, Hussain seemed desperate not to throw it away. It appeared they may do just that at one stage when Alec Stewart – who resembled David Seaman in goal when going for his catch – and Marcus Trescothick dropped two chances in three balls off James Anderson. In the next over, bowled by Andrew Caddick – who limped off with a twisted ankle after completing his 10 overs – Hussain took a catch at mid on. As his team-mates gathered to congratulate him, he gave them what for.

Showing their weakness against good fast bowling, Sri Lanka, like Hussain's mood, never recovered. However, in the same way that Hussain is unsympathetic to those who he feels are not doing their job properly, he is also happy to recognise, and generous to reward, those who are. At the end of the game he let Collingwood lead England off the field, which was a nice touch, as was the way he encouraged and supported Anderson and Stephen Harmison for the effort they gave him and the way they bowled.

With the World Cup 15 to be announced before England's next one-day international on 9 January, some players will have a nervous Christmas. They can be grateful for the win because Hussain would have been more uncharitable than Scrooge had England lost this match. "Our [World Cup] squad is pretty much settled," he said. "Obviously the injury situation needs to be reviewed but there are only one or two spots which the four selectors have to discuss."

England will have a squad of 21 to pick from for the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Of the massed ranks they have collected only four will be leaving. Anderson is flying back to England to attend a memorial service after the death of his grandmother.

Anderson, along with Adam Hollioake, who will spend Christmas with his family in Perth, will rejoin the squad in Sydney to prepare for the second round of one-day matches in the new year. Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali will return to the Adelaide academy after Christmas.