Bengaluru, Oct 26: In a must win situation, electing to bat first, England batters failed to apply themselves and their innings collapsed like a house of cards.
Jos Butler led English side could score only 156/10 in 33.2 overs against Sri Lanka in the 25th match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at Chinnaswamy Stadium, here on Thursday.
English opener Dawid Malan (28 in 25 balls with 6 boundaries) was the first to go. He was removed by comeback Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews, who got him caught behind by his skipper-cum-keeper Kusal Mendis.
Mathews and Mendis were soon involved in another dismissal. The pair got England's key batter Joe Root run out for just 3 in 10 balls.
Jonny Bairstow departed after making run-a-ball 31, being caught by Dhananjaya de Silva at mid-on, while trying to hit right arm pacer Kasun Rajitha. England were reduced to 68/3 in 13.2 overs.
Soon England lost their skipper Jos Butler, who edged a Lahiru Kumara delivery in the off-side channel and keeper Mendis took a spectacular diving catch. England were in dire trouble losing their top four batters just for 77 runs in 14.5 overs.
Destructive Liam Livingstone (1 in 6 balls) did not last long, as he was claimed LBW by Lahiru Kumara. Livingstone known for his big hits and valuable contributions in the middle order, continued to disappoint in the 2023 World Cup once again.
Moeen Ali, who made 15 in as many balls, with a single boundary hit, gave good company to Ben Stokes for some time. But he had to return back to pavilion after mistiming a slower ball from Mathews, as Kusal Perera lobbed a simple catch.
Chris Woakes departed for a duck in 4 balls. Kasun Rajitha got his second wicket and Sadeera Samarawickrama took a low blinder at point. It may be reckoned as one of the best catches of the tournament so far.
Ben Stokes, who remained a spectator at the other end to the dramatic collapse of England innings, too went back trying a big hit against Lahiru Kumara. Substitute Madi Hemantha held a fine catch in the deep to send back the all-rounder.
Stokes, the hero of 2019 final, departed after making 43 in 73 balls. It was an uncharacteristic innings for him. But he stood helplessly at the non-striker end as his teammates returned one by one unable to counter the Lankan attack.
Adil Rashid was the next in queue after making just 2 runs. He was run out by keeper Mendis. England were 147/9 in just 32 overs.
The last to fall was Mark Wood (5), stumped by skipper Mendis as spinner Maheesh Theekshana got his first victim.
Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis was outstanding behind the stumps and in leading his side. He was involved in five English dismissals.
Among the Lankan bowlers, Lahiru Kumara (3/35), Angelo Mathews (2/14), Kasun Rajitha (2/36) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/21) tested success as the Englishmen failed like nine pins.
Trying to keep their semi-finals dreams alive, both sides effected a few changes in their Playing XI.
England included David Willey in place of injured left arm pacer Reece Topley, who is out of the championship with a thumb injury.
Sri Lanka included their former captain and seasoned all-rounder Angelo Mathews to bolster their line-up.
Both sides have just one win from four matches they have played so far.
England XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (captain and wicket-keeper), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood.
Sri Lanka XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicket-keeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara.
