In a stunning display of cricket mastery, Sri Lanka decisively outclassed England with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph in Bengaluru during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Demonstrating superior skill and strategy, they achieved their victory target with a substantial 24.2 overs to spare.
Sri Lanka’s Dominant Win
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This remarkable outcome places England’s hopes of retaining their World Cup title in serious jeopardy. Captain Jos Buttler’s squad now faces the daunting task of winning all their remaining matches, significantly improving their net run rate, and relying on other results to favor them, to maintain any semblance of a chance for a semi-final berth.
With this victory, Sri Lanka ascends to fifth in the tournament standings and continues their dominance over England in World Cup encounters, marking their fifth consecutive win. In contrast to England’s underwhelming performance in Bengaluru, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, led by the impeccable Maheesh Theekshana and the formidable duo of Lahiru Kumara and Angelo Mathews, was nothing short of phenomenal.
Sri Lanka’s pursuit of a modest 157-run victory was spearheaded by Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who each scored magnificent half-centuries. England briefly harbored hopes of a comeback when David Willey removed both Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis during an impressive opening spell in the Powerplay.
However, Willey’s early success proved insufficient to derail Sri Lanka’s momentum. Nissanka and Samarawickrama swiftly counteracted, swinging the match decidedly in Sri Lanka’s favor. Their partnership culminated in a pivotal century stand, which began with cautious consolidation before erupting into an aggressive charge towards victory, significantly enhancing their team’s net run rate in the process.
Match 25 Analysis: Sri Lanka’s Commanding 8-Wicket Victory Over England
In the 25th match of the series, Sri Lanka delivered a formidable performance, defeating England by eight wickets. England’s captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat first, introducing Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, and Moeen Ali into the lineup, replacing Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson, and the injured Reece Topley.
Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Kusal Mendis and with the return of Mathews and Kumara, exhibited remarkable prowess, dismantling England’s batting order and bowling them out for a mere 156. This score stands as the lowest total ever recorded in an ODI at Bengaluru. Lahiru Kumara (3/35), Angelo Mathews (2/14), and Kasun Rajitha (2/36) were the standout bowlers, while Maheesh Theekshana’s 8.2 overs yielded only 21 runs, showcasing tight control. The Sri Lankan fielding was sharp, contributing to two crucial run outs.
An early moment of fortune for England occurred when Dilshan Madushanka’s first ball, which seemed to have brushed Jonny Bairstow’s bat, was not reviewed by Sri Lanka. However, this did little to stem Sri Lanka’s dominance. England’s Dawid Malan showed promise but was soon dismissed by Mathews, making an impact in his first ODI bowl since 2020 and recently joining the squad as an injury replacement.
England’s batting woes were compounded when Joe Root was run out for three, marking the fourth run-out in an international partnership between Root and Bairstow, with Root being the dismissed batsman each time. With their key players out, England’s innings faltered as Sri Lanka’s pacers utilized movement effectively, and Theekshana maintained pressure from one end.
England’s attempt to counterattack led to further wickets. Bairstow’s early reprieve was squandered when he mistimed a shot off Rajitha. Captain Buttler’s poor form continued, dismissed by Kumara for just eight runs. Liam Livingstone, returning to the lineup, was also dismissed cheaply by Kumara.
Ben Stokes offered some resistance but his partners fell quickly. Moeen Ali’s dismissal off Mathews’ bowling and Chris Woakes’ controversial catch dismissal added to England’s troubles. Stokes, the top scorer with 43, eventually fell, leading to England being bowled out for 156 in just 33.2 overs.
In response, Willey’s excellent opening spell briefly raised hopes for England, taking early wickets, including that of the dangerous Mendis. However, Woakes struggled to maintain the pressure.
Sri Lanka confidently faced England’s bowling changes, with Rashid and Wood unable to contain the Lankan batsmen. Moeen Ali and Livingstone, brought on later, found no leverage to apply pressure. Samarawickrama, remaining unbeaten at 65, and Nissanka, sealing the win with a six, carried Sri Lanka to a comfortable chase.
The victory brings Sri Lanka four points, keeping their semi-final aspirations alive in the tournament, while England faces an uphill battle for advancement.