England's semis hopes all down to the math now
BENGALURU: England's World Cup campaign hung by a thread after they slumped to their fourth defeat in the competition, their aggressive brand of cricket nullified by Sri Lanka who claimed a runaway eight-wicket victory here on Thursday.
After bowling out England for a paltry 156 in 33.2 overs, Sri Lanka rubbed salt into the opposition's wounds by winding up the chase in 25.4 overs and lift themselves on the points table.
While the Bengaluru jinx continued for England - who are yet to win a World Cup game here - the Lankans stretched their World Cup winning streak against the team to five matches (in 24 years).
The Lankan resurgence was orchestrated by some fine bowling by Lahiru Kumara (3/35), Angelo Mathews (2/14) and Kasun Rajitha (2/36) and steady batting by Pathum Nissanka (77 n.o) and Sadeera Samarawickrama's (65 n.o) who figured in an unbroken 137-run, third-wicket partnership.
Opting to bat on a wicket which was on the slower side but had enough runs, it appeared as if the famed English batting line-up was on a suicide mission. Reckless shots and lack of application marked their laboured stay at the crease.
England's start was promising but six overs into the match it proved to be all bluff and bluster. Jonny Bairstow (30) was handed a lifeline off the first ball, when the Lankans failed to review what was an evident LBW.
Although Dawid Malan (28) took longer than Bairstow to get his eye in, he was more fluent. As the new ball pair of Dilshan Madushanka and Rajitha struggled to bowl in the channel, Malan unleashed a repertoire of shots.
The opening partnership of 45 off 39 balls was halted by seasoned warhorse Mathews. Malan became Mathews' first ODI wicket in over three years when he played a good length delivery late and offered a faint edge to Kushal Mendis. The southpaw's wicket signalled the unravelling of England's batting. The boundaries dried up and the fact that the Lankan fielders were on top of their game did not help the batters' cause.
Mathews lifted not just Lanka's spirits but also their game. An astute reader of the game, the 36-year-old proved to be an able ally to skipper Mendis.
England's fall started with Joe Root (3), who ran himself out while seeking a non-existent single. Next, Bairstow holed out to Dhananjaya de Silva at mid-on off Rajitha. Skipper Ben Stokes (43) looked to add respectability to the total, but partners were at a premium. He was finally sent back when he committed early to an expansive shot and was taken by substitute Dushan Hemantha at deep midwicket off Kumara.
England's new-ball pacer David Willey (2/30) offered some hope of defending the lowest total recorded at this venue by sending back openers Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis. But Nissanka and Samarawickrama had other plans, the latter finishing the chase with a maximum.
England will need to win their remaining four matches handsomely and then hope for a lot of luck to fancy their chances of advancing to the semifinals.
