Moeen Ali’s maiden one-day international century yesterday, the third-fastest in England’s history, was in vain in a 25-run defeat against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium.

Moeen (119) got England off to a brilliant start in pursuit of their highest successful run chase in this format, after Tillakaratne Dilshan (88) had underpinned the hosts’ 317 for six in the first match of seven.

But after hitting 11 fours and five sixes, the opener was sixth out with the score on 203 in the 31st over of this day-night fixture — and despite a fine hand by Ravi Bopara (65) in a near run-a-ball half-century, the equation proved beyond him.

Bopara was last out, caught in the leg-side deep with 2.5 overs unused, and England therefore began their World Cup winter with an honourable near miss.

Captain Alastair Cook twice escaped on nought after local umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge gave him out lbw both times. Hell fell lbw nonetheless, for 10. Cook has now scored just one half-century in his last 17 one-day international innings.

But Moeen had already powered England past 50 in only five overs — beginning as in last week’s win over Sri Lanka A in his first attempt as Cook’s new opening partner with a four from the first ball he faced, and then adding seven more in successive overs.

Moeen did not let up — twice hitting Rangana Herath over midwicket for six in the same over — despite the loss of Bell, caught at slip off the impressive Thisara Perera.

His hundred arrived in just 72 balls. But, having been badly dropped in the deep by Jeevan Mendis on 72 off his namesake Ajantha, he eventually poked a simple return catch back to the leg-spinner.

England’s bowlers earlier had to withstand an initial barrage from Dilshan and Kusal Perera (59), after Cook won the toss.

In the absence of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Steven Finn England struggled to contain an opening stand of 122.

But after Perera was run out in a mix-up over a second run, the tourists made a precious double breakthrough when Moeen turned one sharply from round the wicket to have veteran left-hander Kumar Sangakkara lbw.

Dilshan ensured Sri Lanka were still perfectly placed when they took a slightly early powerplay on 179 for two, Jayawardene having survived a half-chance on seven off James Tredwell when Morgan could not quite hang on to what would have been a spectacular catch diving to his left at midwicket.