In the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup match held on Thursday, Sri Lanka secured an impressive eight-wicket victory over England. England, batting first, struggled and were dismissed for a mere 156 runs in 33.2 overs. In response, Sri Lanka pursued their target with determination, achieving a total of 160 runs for the loss of only two wickets in 25.4 overs. It was a humiliating defeat for England.
Nisanka played a crucial role in the victory, contributing an unbeaten 77 runs from 83 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes. Samarawickrama also made a significant impact with an unbeaten 65 runs off 54 balls, featuring seven fours and a six. Their partnership of 137 runs for the third wicket remained unbroken.
England’s batting performance was lackluster, and they struggled to cope with the uneven bounce of the pitch. Apart from Ben Stokes, who managed 43 runs from 73 balls, none of their other batsmen could make a substantial contribution. As a result, England was all out in 33.2 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Kumara emerged as the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 35 runs. Angelo Mathews and Kasun Rajitha also chipped in with two wickets each.
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Expressing his disappointment, England’s captain, Jos Buttler, acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles and his own subpar performance in the tournament. He mentioned that despite making thoughtful team selections, things hadn’t gone their way.
The Player of the Match award was presented to Lahiru Kumara for his exceptional bowling performance. Kumara expressed his satisfaction with his contribution against a formidable opponent like England and credited his hard work in improving his bowling skills. He also highlighted the valuable experience gained from having Angelo Mathews on the team, emphasizing their efforts to bowl aggressively and allow their batsmen to dominate the game.