England v Sri Lanka: Chris Jordan eyes improvement after starring role

Chris Jordan vowed to continue improving after the all-rounder helped England become the first ODI side to beat Sri Lanka this year.

The 25-year-old smashed 38 runs of 13 balls to help England build on the foundations laid by Gary Ballance (64), Ian Bell (50) and Joe Root (45) as the hosts posted a target of 247-6 off 39 overs at Kia Oval.

Sri Lanka struggled in response as Jordan claimed 3-25 and James Tredwell also took three scalps to prevent the tourists from chasing down the twice-revised target of 226, with England winning by 81 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

“I came in to try to score with a flurry and I’m glad it came off,” Jordan told BBC Sport.

“We wanted as many runs as we could because Sri Lanka bat really deep and we were wary of that. I want to keep improving my game and want to capitalise on any chances I get to score runs.

“We know they had to go some guns and luckily it came off.”

Jordan also gave an update on his fitness after appearing to sustain an ankle injury in the closing moments of the first ODI of the five-match series.

“Running after that ball at the end, I twisted my ankle a little bit, but it’s OK,” Jordan added.

“In 50-over cricket you’re allowed two bouncers an over and I thought I’d exploit that.

“Malinga finished off the game for them well the other night so it was nice to get one over on him. I had six or seven years at Surrey so it was nice to play well here.”