Hazell proves tough nut to crack

Danielle Hazell, who took a career-best 3-22, said: "It was a lot closer than we wanted it to be"

Danielle Hazell admitted a sense of relief after England narrowly avoided a first defeat to Sri Lanka.

After being bowled out for 192, the tourists were given a fright by the hosts, who were just one lusty blow away from sealing a thrilling last-ball victory.

Jenny Gunn was handed the task of bowling the final over and, with six runs needed off the last two deliveries, the vice-captain showed a steely resolve to dismiss Deepika Rasangika and then bowl a dot ball to seal victory.

"It was a lot closer than we wanted it to be," Hazell told ecb.co.uk. "We are just glad to have won.

"Sri Lanka got off to a flyer but we were always confident of defending our total. Bowling has been the strong part of our game this year. Jen bowled a brilliant last over."

England were in trouble at 47 for three and needed an 86-run partnership between Claire Taylor and Jenny Gunn to haul the tourists towards the 200-mark.

"Tails [Taylor] was brilliant but we were always confident of pushing close to 200, which was a competitive total," said Hazell.

Sri Lanka made an excellent start in pursuit, rattling along to 64 without loss until a combination of Hazell, Laura Marsh and Charlotte Edwards applied the brakes.

Hazell led the way by taking three of the first four wickets to fall, while Marsh, who finished with 2-30, continued to add to her burgeoning reputation.

"We took the pace off the ball, which worked," said Hazell. "Boggy [Marsh] and I bowled well together. We have bowled in tandem quite a lot in the last year. I know what she can do and she knows what I can do. Lottie [Edwards] bowled well too.

Hazell celebrates with Jenny Gunn, who bowled a tight final over to ensure England began the tour with a victory

"I was pleased with how I bowled. I enjoyed bowling on that wicket despite it being slow and not turning much."

England will play Sri Lanka in the second and final one-day international on Wednesday - a game Hazell is determined to win.

"We want to win that game and win the series," she said. "We will come out all guns blazing."