England, who lost to Afghanistan, lost to the Lankans in their fifth match today. Today they lost to Sri Lanka by 8 wickets. Sri Lanka won in 25 overs after losing only 2 wickets in the pair of half centuries of Pathum Nisanka and Sadira Samaravikrama, who came to bat against the target of 157 runs given by England. With this loss, the English lost in four out of five matches in the World Cup. On the other hand, Sri Lanka picked up their second win in the current World Cup.
Two English openers Jonny Bairstow and David Malan got off to a good start after winning the toss against Sri Lanka. But after breaking this pair for 45 runs, the English could not turn around. England lost 5 wickets for only 85 runs on the bowling ball of the Lankans. Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali tried to save the team from disaster in the sixth wicket partnership but the pair was broken for just 37 runs. Ben Stokes, the highest run-scorer for England today, also returned with 43 runs. In the end, the English managed to score 156 runs after losing all the wickets after playing 33 overs.
With a target of 157 runs, the Lankans lost 2 wickets for just 23 runs. After losing 2 wickets for 23 runs, Pathum Nisanka and Sadira Samarawickrama formed a partnership. The Lankans won by losing 2 wickets in just 25 overs with a pair of half-centuries by these two batsmen. Pathum Nisanka remained unbeaten on 77 runs and Sadira Samarawickrama on 65 runs.
Pathum Nisanka and Kushal Perera, the two openers who opened for Sri Lanka, could not take their opening pair far today. Today Sri Lanka broke the opening pair in just 9 runs.
Kushal Perera, who scored 4 runs off 5 balls, was caught by Ben Stakes off David Willey and went back to the dugout. In his departure, the opening pair of Lankans broke in just 9 runs.
After Kushal Perera, captain Kushal Mendis also returned to the pavilion with 23 runs. Kushal Mendis, who scored 11 runs off 12 balls, became the second victim of David Willey and led the way to the pavilion.
After 2 wickets fell for 23 runs, Pathum Nisanka formed a partnership with Sadira Samaravikrama. The Lankarans completed the team’s 50 runs with 8 over 5 balls based on this pair. And picked up 56 runs in the first power play.
Both these batsmen have brought up a pair of half-centuries today. Pathum Nisanka brought up his fifty off 54 balls today. Of which four has 6 and six has 1.
On the other hand, Sadira Samarawickrama brought up a personal fifty off 44 balls. In the end, these two batters left the field with victory. Sri Lanka won by losing 2 wickets in just 25 overs with this pair. Pathum Nisanka remained unbeaten on 77 runs and Sadira Samarawickrama on 65 runs.
Earlier, the two openers, Jonny Bairstow and David Malan, who had opened for England, played carefully from the beginning. He took 39 runs in the first 5 overs. But in the seventh over, the rhythm fell.
Angelo Mathews bowled David Malan with a catch to Kushal Perera. Sri Lanka took a review when the field umpire didn’t respond to Mathews’ appeal at first. And in this Malan’s forehead burned. He had to return after scoring 28 runs off 25 balls. England’s opening pair broke for 45 runs on his departure.
Jonny Bairstow formed a pair with Joe Root after Malan’s departure. But this pair could not go far.
The pair broke when Joe Root returned for the team’s 59 runs. Root, who scored 3 runs from 10 balls, was run out and returned to Sajghar. On his departure, England lost 2 wickets for 59 runs.
Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler went back to suit Joe Root. Jonny Bairstow scored 30 runs off 31 balls off Kasun Rajitha, caught at mid-on by Dhananjaya de Silva and went back to home.
Jos Buttler also returns to the dressing room following Jonny Bairstow’s path. He fell victim to LBW by Lahiru Kumara. Scored 8 runs off 6 balls before getting out. On his departure, the English lost 4 wickets for 77 runs.
After Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone could not stay long at the crease. He returned to be Lahiru Kumara’s second victim with just 1 run off 6 balls. On his departure, the English lost 5 wickets for 85 runs and fell into a batting disaster.
Ben Stokes paired with Moeen Ali after 5 wickets fell for 85 runs. The English tried to turn around by relying on this pair.
But after the departure of Moeen Ali for the team’s 122 runs, this pair was broken by 37 runs. Moeen Ali, who scored 15 runs off 15 balls, fell victim to Angelo Mathews and went back to Sajghar. Chris Woakes returned in the over after Moeen Ali’s dismissal. He returned with zero runs off 4 balls.
Ben Stokes, who raised hopes of a half-century, also returned with 43. He returned as Lahiru Kumara’s third victim with 43 off 73 balls. After his departure, England’s innings could not go much further. In the end, the English managed to score 156 runs after losing all the wickets after playing 33 overs.
Lahiru Kumara took 3 wickets, Angelo Mathews 2, Kasun Rajitha 2 and Mahesh Thekshana 1 for Sri Lanka.
(October 26/NBW)