Sri Lanka keep hopes for semi-final alive with thumping win over England
Cricket
England were bowled out for 156 by the Lankans
BENGALURU (Web Desk) – Sri Lanka on Thursday outclassed defending champion England by eight wickets in a crucial match of the World Cup 2023 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed unbeaten 77 and 65, respectively, to secure the victory that has slimmed the chances for England to qualify for the semi-final round of the mega event.
The Lankans chased the target of 157 in 26th over.
Earlier, a stunning bowling performance from Sri Lanka restricted defending champion England from building a tough total as they were bowled out for 156.
The Kusal Mendis-led side ran through England's batting order in 33.2 overs. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan made 30 and 28 runs, respectively as they failed to build a strong opening stand.
Ben Stokes tried to lift the score with his 43-run knock but Lahiru Kumara dismissed him timely putting the Lankans in control.
Later, England lost quick wickets as all middle-order and top order was removed for cheap scores. It is the lowest total of the ongoing World Cup event so far.
Earlier, England won the toss and decided to bat first against the injury-riddled Lankas.
The English team’s title defence is on the brink of collapsing at the halfway mark of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Earlier Coverage
England will enter their clash with Sri Lanka only above the bottom of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup standings on net run rate.
Out of form and now without their leading wicket-taker at the tournament after Reece Topley broke a finger against South Africa, England are already at serious risk of falling out of the race for a semi-final spot.
A fourth loss in the tournament would most likely end their title defence before it truly began, and with India, Australia and Pakistan among those still to come this looms as a must-win fixture for England.
Sri Lanka have the same 1-3 record as England ahead of this high-stakes clash as the luckless outfit continue to be hit hard by injuries.
Star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out before the tournament started, captain Dasun Shanaka has since been injured, and it has now been confirmed that emerging quick Matheesha Pathirana will also remain on the sidelines.
Veteran Angelo Mathews has been called into a squad that was in desperate need of experienced reinforcements and will boost the batting line-up if pulled straight into the starting XI.
Both sides have multiple issues to overcome to keep their faltering semi-final hopes alive, and with this essentially the first in a long stretch of do-or-die battles time is running out for England and Sri Lanka to find the form needed for a late surge.
The England captain will be out to lead by example with little to no margin for error left in their title defence.
But Buttler has barely played a tune at this Cricket World Cup with only 87 runs from four knocks despite being one of the most explosive batters against the white ball when on song.
The right-hander can bat anywhere in the order from opening down to No.6, but might be best served returning to second drop to ensure England have a leader at the crease to steer them to a much-needed victory.
For Sri Lanka, pacer Kasun Rajitha slipped out of the starting XI after conceding 90 runs against a rampant South Africa in Sri Lanka’s opening match of the Cricket World Cup but was back with a vengeance against Netherlands.
Rajith took the new ball and sparked Sri Lanka with three early wickets during a tireless seven-over spell, then returned at the death to pick up an important fourth scalp when Netherlands were piling on the runs.
Dilshan Madushanka has been superb for Sri Lanka at the tournament with 11 wickets so far, but with Rajith bowling from the other end the 1996 champions have a pace attack that could rattle an already shaky England top order.
Squads
England: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne
