ALASTAIR COOK praised his side for their perfect performance after his reign as England’s one-day captain started with a crushing 110-run win over against Sri Lanka.

The tourists spoiled Stuart Broad’s debut as Twenty20 captain on Saturday with a nine-wicket victory but failed to do the double on England’s new limited-overs leaders after being bowled out for 121 in the first one-day international at The Oval.

England had earlier made 229 for eight in a match reduced to 32 overs per side due to a three-hour rain delay.

James Anderson, with match-turning figures of four for 18, was the standout performer, while Craig Kieswetter top-scored with 61.

England were also airtight in the field, leaving Cook delighted despite a personal return of only five runs.

“It doesn’t get much better than that,” he said.

“I thought it was an oustanding performance from all our bowlers but Jimmy up front...to get them 15 for four and get their danger men out got us ahead of the game.

“The way we batted and handled the rain break was very special as well.”

Despite his delight at having tamed the side who ended Andrew Strauss’ tenure as ODI captain in the World Cup quarter-final, Cook was cautious about the remainder of the five-match series.

“It’s a really good start, let’s not get too carried away about how I did or the team did,” he said.

‘‘It’s just a good start and we have to keep our feet on the floor. We’re not in it for personal plaudits, we’re in it to win games of cricket.”

Cook’s own innings is unlikely to gain any plaudits, ended for five after just three balls as he was strangled down leg side by Lasith Malinga.

Although disappointed, he does not intend to read too much into such a dismissal.

“That’s the game isn’t it?” he said.

“There’s nothing you can do about it. It’s probably the most frustrating way to get out but I shouldn’t have nicked it so fine I suppose.”

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was sorry to see the back of the glorious weather that his side enjoyed in the nets yesterday, but conceded his team were simply second best on the day.

“They batted well, put in a huge score to chase and it was not easy batting second to get 230,” he said.

“We had to take chances and it didn’t work. The thing is for the last two days has been sun but when it comes to the match it is rainy and overcast which is normally a help to the English bowlers.

“But that is not an excuse.

We didn’t bat well and we didn’t bowl well – that is why we lost the match.”