England have lost 11 one day internationals on the trot, but today’s game against Sri Lanka was much closer than the score card indicates because they fought to the end on a slow pitch that spun square in the second session after the 25th over.
Winning the toss , Sri Lanka had no hesitation in batting first, they rested 2 of their first choice spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana, and also rested Dushmantha Chameera the seamer taking into consideration the World Cup at hand next month
Since the wicket was going to spin, England too had 5 spin options led by Abdul Rashid, Rehan Ahmad, Jacob Bethel, and Liam Dawson.
Sri Lanka picked 2 specialist spinners namely Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage with two parttimers in Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Charith Asalanka.
Sri Lanka made 271, an excellent display of good batting based on the fact the average team total at the R Premadasa Stadium being 223.
Experts predicted a score of 260 is a winning score, hence England will be kicking themselves for conceeding 23 runs in the final over as Dunith Wellalage took Jamie Overton to the cleaners by thumping the seamer for 23 Runs batting at number 7.
Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka cheaply on a placid pitch for 21 undone by a Sam Curren slower delivery, Kamil Mishara for 27 bowled round his legs by an Abdul Rashid googly as Sri Lanka slumped to 2 for 54.
England played 2 leg spinners, the experienced master crafter Abdul Rashid , who bowled at a variety in pace , hence Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka’ struggled to read his googly and Sri Lanka looked in danger with the score on 124 for 4 wickets with Dhananjay de Silva dismissed for 10 and Asalanka’ for 12.
The partnership of 81 runs for the 5th wicket between Janith Liyanage and Kusal Mendis helped Sri Lanka to recover to 212 runs before Liyanage became Abdul Rashid’s 3rd Victim
Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 93, but the turning point was Dunith Wellalage 25 runs in 12 deliveries that helped Sri Lanka to a winning score of 271.
For England Abdul Rashid took 3 for 44 , Liam Dawson 1 for 31 , but Rehan Ahmad the second leg spinner leaked 61 runs , despite scalping Dhananjaya Silva , whilst seamer Sam Curren took 1 for 40 and his fellow seamer Overton was expensive wicketless for 66.
England needing 272 lost Zak Crawley with the score on 12 , but Joe Root and Ben Ducket had no problems with the Sri Lankan spin attack as they stitched a 117 runs partnership for the second wicket , before Ben Ducket was adjudicated LBW off Jeffrey Vandersay for 62 , followed by Joe Root for 61 another LBW victim of Dhananjaya de Silva, and England still in the hunt despite the two quick wickets because they bat deep.
England lost Joe Root with the score on 144 , and then panic struck the English camp.
The ball started spinning square, they lost 3 quick wickets, then slumped to 169 for 6 wickets with Wellalage scalping 2 victims.
Rehan Ahmad made a quick fire 27 off 21 deliveries brought England back into the fold , but Wellalage took the catch of the match to dismiss the right hand pinch hitter at long off
Buttler after hiking Madushan for a glorious six over long on was bowled off a slower delivery, and the writing was clear that England’s defeat was inevitable
Then came that fight back as Jamiei Overton did what Wellalage did to him. He slammed 34 off 17 deliveries almost got England over the line but sadly was caught by Wellalage in the 50th Over and the game ended with Sri Lanka winning the lung opener by 19 runs
Wellalage was adjudicated as player of the match for his exceptional catching , his 2 wickets for 41 runs and his 25 in 12 Deliveries
Scores
Sri Lanka 271 for 6
Kusal Mendis 93 not out
Janith Liyanage 48
Dunith Wellalage 25
Abdul Rashid 3 for 44
England 252 all out in 49. 2 overs
Ben Ducket 62
Joe Root 61
Jammie Overton 34
Vandersay 2 for 40
Wellalage 2 for 41
Madushan 2 for 39