Kent and England spinner James Tredwell claimed two wickets in two balls but could not help England avoid a 25-run defeat in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old had been hit for consecutive sixes by Angelo Mathews before the Sri Lankan was well caught by Ben Stokes for 33, and the next ball, the final of Tredwell’s 10th and final over, saw Mahela Jayawardene nick one down the leg side to keeper Jos Buttler for 55.

Tredwell finished his spell poised on a hat-trick ball, with 2-52 from 10 overs, the pick of the England bowlers, as Sri Lanka amassed 317-6.

He also played his part with the bat, joining Ravi Bopara at the crease with the game on the line, batting at 10, with the score on 259-8.

He scored 11 runs from six deliveries, helping steer England to 286-9 before being bowled by Mendis.

Bopara was eventually the last man to go, holing out off Perera for 65 as the tourists were bowled out for 292 with 17 balls to spare.

The second ODI of the seven-match series begins in the early hours of Saturday, in Colombo.