Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara hit unbeaten half-centuries and shared an unbroken 149-run partnership to lead Sri lanka to an eight-wicket win over England in the second one-day international on Saturday.

The victory at R. Premadasa Stadium gives the hosts a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.

Players wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence before the start of play to honor Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, who died in hospital Thursday after being hit in the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Australia. Sri lankan and English flags flew half-staff on the scoreboard.

Chasing a modest 186 to win the match, which was shortened to 45 overs per side because of rain, Sri lanka lost two wickets for 37 before Jayawardene and Sangakkara combined to take their team to victory in only 34.2 overs.

Jayawardene blasted an unbeaten 77 off 80 deliveries hitting a six and eight boundaries while Sangakkara was 67 not out in 93 balls including eight boundaries.

They added 149 for the third wicket in only 160 balls.

Sri lanka had a brisk start to its chase but lost its first wicket in the fifth over with the total on 27. Kusal Perera (9) was caught by Ravi Bopara at square-leg off seamer Steven Finn.

Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 26 off 23 deliveries before a miscue off spin bowler Moeen Ali for a high catch to Chris Woakes.

Sri lankan spin bowler Ajantha Mendis earlier took three wickets to dismiss England for an unimpressive 185 in 43 overs after choosing to bat first.

Brief Scores

England: 185 all out in 43 overs (Bopara 51, Root 42; Mendis 3/33, Prasad 2/16, Dilshan 2/32) lost to Sri lanka: 186/2 in 34.2 overs (Jayawardene 77 not out, Sangakkara 67 not out; Finn 1/35) by 8 wickets.