Cook hails bowlers for Al start in England-Lanka series

London, June 29 (ANI): Skipper Alastair Cook hailed his bowlers for giving him the perfect start to his reign as England's one-day skipper.

"It doesn't get much better than to win by such a big margin. It was an outstanding performance, Cook said of England's 110-run victory over the Lankans in the first one-day international between the two sides at The Oval on Tuesday.

In reply to England's score of 229 for 8, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 121. Fast bowler James Anderson took 4-18, while off-spinner Graeme Swann took 3-18.

"Full credit to Jimmy Anderson. He was begging me for one more over to get his five. But let's not get too carried away with how I did as captain or how the team did here. We must get back to working hard ahead of the next match at Leeds on Friday," The Sun quoted Cook, as saying.

Anderson thanked the selectors for sticking with him after a poor World Cup.

He admitted: "I was delighted to get back in the team. I put the World Cup behind me at the start of the season. I've worked really hard to improve since then."

Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan said: "England batted well and to chase 230 is never easy." (ANI)