Sri Lanka recorded their fourth win in a row in a World Cup match against England, following a splendid performance.
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England captain Eoin Morgan had termed Sri Lanka as the ‘surprise package’ going into the 2019 edition of the World Cup. Morgan made this statement with reference to the lack of information about most of the players going into the tournament. While the remark may have been made in tongue-in-cheek humour, his concern about the unknown cricketers actually does not seem worth the while currently. England were defeated in Match 27 of the edition against Sri Lanka in Leeds, following a majestic performance by a familiar foe. The foe was none other than Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who was coming into the tournament following questions over his decline in pace and increase in weight.
However, Malinga proved that there is no substitute for skill and natural talent, helping Sri Lanka pull off the greatest upset in the 2019 World Cup as well as one of the finest comebacks in the history of the sport.
The Asian team posted a total of 232 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs, after opting to bat. Veteran Angelo Matthews was the top run-scorer, accumulating 85 runs off 115 deliveries in an innings comprising of five boundaries and a six. Avishka Fernando was the second highest run-getter, with 49 runs from 39 balls. Fernando was aggressive in his approach, smashing six fours and two maximums. It was a great day for the England pacers Jofra Archers and Mark Wood, with the duo chipping in with three wickets apiece. Adil Rashid accounted for two dismissals as well. It seemed like a game that would end early considering the paltry total and supremely strong England batting. The presence of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali certainly made the target of 233 seem like one that would be chased down without much ado, considering the tournament was being conducted in English conditions.
The chase certainly started off in a wonderful manner from the viewpoint of the hosts, with the scorecard reading 126 for 3 at the end of the 30th over of the chase. With skipper Joe Root and Ben Stokes on the crease and nearly 100 runs needed, England fans would have been confident of a comprehensive win. Malinga came on to bowl his seventh over at this stage, having been impressive but not exactly lethal.
The impact was visible soon after as he sent Root back to the pavilion following an edge to a delivery down the legside. However, the game suddenly changed even further following the dismissal of Jos Buttler off his next over. Malinga left the wicketkeeper-batsman in two minds with a bouncer, which was followed by a yorker that rapped him plumb. England soon completed their 150th run in the 35th over, having lost the same number of wickets as Sri Lanka. While Malinga still had two overs left to help his nation record a famous win, the hosts had an opportunity to showcase their famous batting depth.
However, the lower order failed to make much of an impact, with Moeen Ali’s dismissal marking the beginning of a collapse. The southpaw attempted to slog the ball over the long-off region, with Isuru Udana completing the catch. Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid failed to make significant contributions, with England soon reduced to 178 for 8. The scoreline changed to 186 for 9, less than just three overs later marking a massive shift.
Ben Stokes attempted his best to dominate the strike and smash the ball to all corners of the ground. However, Malinga allowed limited room to play his shots, conceding just two runs off his last two overs. The required run-rate had shot up to 9 in the last five overs, with Stokes doing his best to keep England in the hunt with 15 runs off Udana’s 46th over. However, he had no choice but to stand silently and watch as Mark Wood edged the ball to the keeper, marking the end of the England innings.
The triumph represented Sri Lanka’s fifth win against England in World Cup history. It is the joint-most for a team against the opposition. Malinga was extremely modest during the post-match conference, stating that his sole focus was on sticking to the plans.
“(On the dropped catch of Stokes) We know how good a player he is, we’ve seen it in T20 cricket and in the IPL. But we kept sticking to our plans, ensured that he played away dots and put pressure on him. It paid off. Our plan was to stick to line and length on this pitch with the slower ones and bouncers. We have the confidence to influence matches and have faith in ourselves,” he said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was full of praise for Malinga, with appreciation in store for Matthews as well.
“It was a close one. Sometimes we were under pressure and sometimes we were dominating. At the end of the day it was team work – batters, bowlers and fielders. This wicket looked good but when we were batting it was slow. We knew we couldn’t get 300, so we wanted to get 250-275 but unfortunately we lost wickets. Angelo batted really well and took responsibility. If we had the score, the bowlers knew what to do on this wicket. When Malinga got a couple wickets we had to keep him for the last overs and then I gave Dhananjaya the ball and he did a good job. Those are the things we want as a team and I am expecting those things as a captain. I think Root’s wicket was the turning point. I was not confident (with the review) but still went for it,” he stated.
While England went on to win the edition following an exciting final against New Zealand, they will certainly hold on to memories of the defeat against Sri Lanka as due warning over not taking any opposition lightly.
