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28 March 2024

Lanka bounce back to stun England

Published
By Staff with Agencies

A chanceless unbeaten 134 from Kumar Sangakkara inspired Sri Lanka to a seven-wicket win over an overly cautious England on Thursday to leave Champions Trophy Group A wide open ahead of the final two matches.

A victory in the day/night clash would have taken England through to the semi-finals as one of the top two and defeat would have dumped Sri Lanka out but all is now left to play for with New Zealand leading the group on three points.

England, who next face New Zealand in Cardiff on Sunday, and Sri Lanka are on two points with Australia on one ahead of their meeting with Angelo Mathews' side at the Oval on Monday.

England's batsmen earlier took their time in trademark style before some last-over fireworks by Ravi Bopara helped them make 293 for seven amid woeful Sri Lankan fielding.

"I was pretty happy with the way I went about it," Sangakkara said at the post-match presentation.

"It was tough on the bowlers but both sides batted well. We've got to win the next one, hopefully our run rate has done some good today and we'll have to prepare well for the Aussies."

Number three Sangakkara paced himself perfectly in Sri Lanka's 297 for three from 47.1 overs to notch his 15th one-day international ton under constantly overcast skies.

England's batsmen earlier took their time in trademark style before some last-over fireworks by Ravi Bopara helped them make 293 for seven amid woeful Sri Lankan fielding.

The tournament hosts have been criticised by commentators for their recent ponderous batting in the 50-over format but still beat Australia by 48 runs in their opening game.

This time they managed only 38 runs in the first 10-over powerplay when sides such as India, who have already reached the last four from Group B, have notched in excess of 60.

England are confident of defending totals around 270 despite 325 now being very possible in the explosive modern one-day game and it looked like they would make only a decent score before Bopara (33 not out) blasted 28 off Shaminda Eranga's final over.

His cameo, which brought an almost shivering crowd to life amid the chilly temperatures and constant breeze, included the only three sixes of the innings but proved not to be enough.

"I thought 300 was about par. I couldn't get my innings away. If I had done, we might have got to 320," said England captain Alastair Cook, who also felt his bowlers' rhythm and hopes of reverse swing were upset by the ball being changed.

"Sometimes you come up short, but we'll have a look at it and come back on Sunday."

LABORIOUS APPROACH


Cook and Jonathan Trott again summed up England's patient but at times laborious approach, gleaned from their success in five-day tests, with Cook scoring 59 off 85 balls and Trott 76 off 87 before both were out lbw to Rangana Herath when sweeping.

Trott suffered a thigh strain and could be a doubt for Sunday, with some England fans hoping a player with more enterprise comes in.

Joe Root, in the headlines after being hit by suspended Australia batsman David Warner in a bar, upped the tempo with 68 off 55 before Lasith Malinga took two wickets in two balls and Bopara then silenced some of his constant critics.

Tillakaratne Dilshan dropped three catches and wicketkeeper Sangakkara spilled another before redeeming himself handsomely.

Sri Lanka began their reply with more urgency than England, scoring 10 more runs at the 10-over mark and Dilshan (44) hitting their first six in the 15th over off the innocuous off-breaks of Root, who proved expensive.

The raft of flag-waving Sri Lankans inside the almost full Oval gave the impression of a home match for the south Asians despite even colder conditions as the London gloom descended.

Sangakkara never looked in danger but controlled bowling from medium pacer Bopara and returning spinner Graeme Swann helped keep a lid on Sri Lanka's attacking tendencies and by halfway the required run rate had crept up to seven an over.

Loose bowling from Stuart Broad allowed them to retake the initiative however and Mahela Jayawardene began to dispatch all of the bowlers around the ground before holing out to sub Jonny Bairstow off James Anderson for 42.

Sangakkara guided Sri Lanka home with 17 balls to spare with the help of the bludgeoning Nuwan Kulasekara (58 off 38), who was brought back into the side and promoted up the order.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

Sri Lanka bounced back from a loss against New Zealand to beat England by seven wickets in a day-night Group A Champions Trophy clash at The Oval in London on Thursday. Chasing a massive target of 294, Sri Lanka coasted home with nearly three overs to spare thanks to a classy unbeaten century from Kumar Sangakkara (134).

He was ably assisted by Nuwan Kulasekera who swung the match around by smashing three sixes and five boundaries during his unbeaten 38-ball ball 58.

Sangakkara virtually carried out his bat having come in at the fall of Kusal Perera's wicket in the third over.

Barring for Perera, Sri Lanka's top order going about the run-chase clinically.

Sangakkara got into his stride early being the dominant partner during the 92-run second wicket stand with Dilshan (44).

Jayawardena (42) then added 85 runs for the third wicket before falling in the first over of the Batting Powerplay.

Sri Lanka sprung a surprise by promoting Kulasekera who came into the side at the expense of big-hitting all-rounder Thisara Perera.

Kulasekera nearly twice ran out his senior partner but made amends despite failing to fire in the Powerplay overs during an explosive 100-run unfinished stand for the third wicket with Sangakkara.

Anderson claimed two for 51 but Broad went for 67 in 8.1 overs.

Sangakkara hit the winning boundary off Broad as Sri Lanka finished on 297-3 to win with 17 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka have tied the scores at 293-3 after 47 overs.

Sangakkara slams Anderson straight down the ground to the boundary as Sri Lanka race to victory. SL 287-3 in 46 overs.

Sangakkara gets a boundary off Bresnan. SL 275-3 in 45 overs.

Kulasekera races to his half century off 30 balls with a six and two boundaries off Broad. SL 268-3 in 44 overs.

Kulasekera clobbers two massive sixes off Swann who finishes with figures of 10-0-50-1. SL 253-3 in 43 overs.

Kulasekera swings Broad for a boundary to fine leg. SL 237-3 in 42 overs.

Kulasekera hammers a couple of boundaries off Bresnan. SL 229-3 in 41 overs.

Sangakkara lofts Anderson to midwicket for a boundary as Sri Lanka finish the batting Powerplay overs making 31 runs. SL 218-3 in 40 overs.

Sangakkara completes his 15th ODI century and first against England off 111 balls with eight boundaries.

Kulasekera gets a boundary off Bresnan who goes for 10. SL 199-3 in 37 overs.

Kulasekera has been promoted up the order as pinch hitter in the Powerplay overs.

Anderson strikes in the second ball of the batting Powerplay as Mahela chips to midwicket. SL 187-3.

M Jayawardene c sub (JM Bairstow) b Anderson 42 (43b 3x4 1x6)

It ends a fluent 85-run stand for the second wicket with Sangakkara.

Sangakkara has moved to 90 as Sri Lanka are virtually in cruise control ahead of the batting Powerplay overs. SL 187-2 in 35 overs.

Jayawardene has raced to 34 finding the boundaries with ease flicking one from Bopara to fine leg. SL 166-2 in 32 overs.

Big over for Sri Lanka with Jayawardene getting a couple of boundaries off Broad. SL 150-2 in 30 overs.

Jayawardene hits his first boundary off Broad flicking to fine leg.

Jayawardene smashes Broad over long-on to make his intentions clear.

Sangakkara flicks a loose delivery from Bopara to the fence. SL 125-2 in 26 overs.

Sri Lanka have made a steady start without pressing the panic buttong having reached 119-2 at the halfway with Sangakkara batting fluently on 61.

Sangakkara drags Swann through midwickeet for a much-needed boundary for Sri Lanka. SL 110-2 in 23 overs.

Sangakkara completes his 76th ODI half century which came off 59 balls with a single off Bopara. It was studded with five boundaries.

Swann strikes getting the big wicket of Dilshan who attempts to hoist out of the ground but only holes out to Root at long-on. SL 102-2.

TM Dilshan c Root b Swann 44 (56b 3x4 1x6)

Dilshan's second wicket stand with Sangakkara yielded 92 runs.

Bresnan and Swann are keeping Dilshan and Sangakkara quiet with some tight overs. SL 97-1 in 19 overs.

Tight opening over by Swann giving aways just three runs. SL 92-1 in 17 overs at the drinks break.

Sangakkara also gets into the thumping Root to the fence. SL 84-1 in 15 overs.

Dilshan cracks a boundary and lofts Root for a six next ball.

Sangakkara greets Bresnan by despatching the loosener through the covers as Sri Lanka reach 48-1 at the end of the Powerplay overs.

Sangakkara smashes consecutive boundaries off Broad cutting him over point and then flicking him to fine leg. SL 39-2 in 8 overs.

Broad and Anderson bowl a couple of tight overs. SL 30-1 in 7 overs.

Sangakkara pulls Anderson to the square leg fence for his first boundary. SL 25-1 in 5 overs.

Dilshan picks up another boundary gloving a delivery from Broad. SL 19-1 in 4 overs.

Anderson draws first blood as Kusal Perera is caught at mid-on. SL 10-1.

KJ Perera c Bopara b Anderson 6 (11b 1x4 0x6)

Kusal Perera cracks a boundary off Broad. SL 10-0 in 2 overs.

Dilshan hits a boundary off Anderson in the first over.

ENGLAND INNINGS

England took their time in trademark style before some last-over fireworks by Ravi Bopara helped them post 293 for seven.

The tournament hosts have been criticised by commentators for their recent ponderous batting in the 50-over format but still beat Australia by 48 runs in their opening game.

This time they managed only 38 runs in the first 10-over powerplay when sides such as India, who have already reached the last four from Group B, have notched in excess of 60.

England are confident of defending totals around 270 despite 325 now being very possible in the explosive modern one-day game and it looked like they would be posting only a decent score before Bopara (33 not out) blasted 28 off Shaminda Eranga's final over.

His brilliant cameo included the only three sixes of the innings.

Jonathan Trott scored 76 off 87 balls against a lacklustre Sri Lanka, who know defeat would eliminate them but failed to find significant movement under overcast skies. Tillakaratne Dilshan also dropped three awkward catches and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara spilled a dropping ball.

Captain Alastair Cook was just as watchful as Trott with 59 but like so many England batsmen in recent times, both were trapped lbw by Rangana Herath when sweeping.

Joe Root, in the headlines after being hit by suspended Australia batsman David Warner in a bar, helped up the tempo in the closing overs with 68 off 55 before Lasith Malinga took two wickets in two balls.

England produced another solid batting performance to set Sri Lanka a daunting target of 294.

Spurred by half centuries from Alistari Cook (59), Jonathan Trott (76) and Joe Root (68), England made 293-7 aided by some sloppy fielding by Sri Lanka with Dilshan dropping three chances.

England's final tally was bolstered by a brilliant unbeaten 13-ball cameo of 33 which included three sixes and two boundaries from Ravi Bopara.

Eranga's two wickets cost 80 going for 28 in his final over.

Malinga rocked England with two wickets in consecutive balls as they collapsed to 254 for seven losing four wickets within the space of 14 balls before Bopara's cameo.

Herath also claimed two for 46.

Bopara blasts three sixes and two boundaries of the final over from Eranga which goes for 28 as England finish with a flourish to make 293-7 in their 50 overs.

Broad smacks a boundary off Malinga who goes for 10 in the penultimate over. Eng 265-7 in 49 overs.

Eranga claims his second wicket bowling Bresnan to peg back England. Eng 254-7.

T Bresnan b Eranga 4 (7b 0x4 0x6)


Sangakkara takes a brilliant catch to dismiss Buttler for a duck. Eng 249-6.

J Buttler c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Bopara blocks the hat-trick ball from Malinga.

Malinga is on hat-trick dismissing Root and Morgan in successive ball.s Eng 249-5.

E Morgan lbw b Malinga 13 (10b 1x4 0x6)

Root departs after an aggressive knock holing out Malinga. Eng 249-4.

J Root c Jayawardene b Malinga 68 (55b 5x4 0x6)

Roots cracks a couple of boundaries off Malinga through the covers. Eng 237-3 in 44 overs.

Sangakkara drops Root this time off Malinga. Eng 226-3 in 44 overs.

Root paddle sweeps Kulasekera for a boundary. Eng 225-3 in 43 overs.

Herath claim his second wicket in his final over trapping Trott leg before. Eng 218-3.

J Trott lbw b Herath 76 (87b 5x4 0x6)

Root completes his half century off 43 balls.

England finally decide to launch an offensive with Trott and Root slamming boundaries off Kulasekera. Eng 213-2 in 41 overs.

England manage 37 for no loss in the Batting Powerplay overs.

Dilshan fails to hang on to a skier from Root off Malinga. Eng 201-2 in 40 overs.

Trott drives Eranga through the covers for a boundary. Eng 195-2 in 39 overs.

Root scoops Eranga to fine leg for his first boundary. Eng 178-2 in 37 overs.

Trott manages to end the drought of boundaries for England in the first batting Powerplay over clipping Malinga to midwicket. Eng 171-2 in 14 overs.

Trott also reaches his half century as England made steady progress. Eng 160-2 in 34 overs.

Cook is trapped leg before by Herath attempting to sweep with England being unsuccessful with the decision review. Eng 131-2.

A Cook lbw b Herath 59 (85b 3x4 0x6)

Dilshan drops a return catch off Cook (56) having let him off earlier on 23.

Cook completes his half century as England take nine runs off Dilshan's first over. Eng 109-1 in 24 overs.

Slow yet steady start by England with Cook leading the way. Eng 85-1 in 20 overs.

Trott gets his first boundary clipping Mathews through midwicket. Eng 63-1 in 15 overs.

Sri Lanka get the first breakthrough in the 12th over as Bell chips to midwicket for a soft dismissal. Eng 48-1.

I Bell c Perera b Eranga 20 (37b 3x4 0x6)

Cook smashes the first delivery from Mathews to the square leg fence. Eng 47-0 in 11 overs.

A double bowling change as Mathews replaces Kulasekera.

Bell attacks Eranga flaying him over extra cover a much needed boundary for England. Eng 38-0 in 10 overs.

First bowling change by Lanka as Eranga comes into the attack replacing Malinga in the 10th over.

Bell gets his first boundary punching Malinga through the gap on the offside and then pulls him around to square leg. Eng 19-0 in 4 overs.

Malinga opens with a maiden over to Bell.

Sri Lanka seems to be coming out with all guns firing with Malinga joining Kulasekera to attack with the new ball.

Cook cracks Kulasekera through the covers for a boundary to open England's account.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against England in a key Group A day-night Champions Trophy clash at The Oval in London on Thursday.

Kulasekera comes in place of Thisara Perera in one change from the match against New Zealand.

England have also made one change with Swann coming in for Tredwell.

PLAYING XI

England - A Cook, I Bell, J Trott, J Root, E Morgan, R Bopara, J Buttler, T Bresnan, S Broad, G Swann, J Anderson
           
Sri Lanka - KJ Perera, TM Dilshan, K Sangakkara, M Jayawardene, D Chandimal, A Mathews, L Thirimanne, N Kulasekara, R Herath, S Eranga, L Malinga