By Peter Moore
- Sri Lanka dent hopes of hosts reaching World Cup semi-finals with a 20-run victory
- Lasith Malinga rolls back the years with vintage performance after taking 4 for 43
- Ben Stokes’s brave effort all in vain
LEEDS, UK – England loose out to bogey side Sri Lanka, as experienced Lasith Malinga ties England up in knots.
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England
James Vince – 5/10 – Looked promising for a short while until driving at a delivery he should of left. Has been given some opportunities at the top of the order but always gets out in the same fashion.
Jonny Bairstow – 4/10 So keen to impress on his home ground but played all around a delivery from Malinga first ball up.
Joe Root – 9/10 – England’s ever reliable player in this World Cup. Currently in sublime form for his country. When he is in the middle he always looks in total control. Another half-century to add to his impressive total of 424 runs scored so far, and counting.
Eoin Morgan – 8/10 – Excellent today as Captain. Superb decision making, by attacking at the right time. Never got going with the bat after falling to a brilliant catch from Udana.
Jos Buttler – 6/10 – Tried to bring some energy to the innings but was outdone by Malinga. Wicket keeping as always up to a good standard.
Ben Stokes– 8/10 – Almost single-handedly tried to win the game for England before running out of partners. One of the most mature innings he has played in an England shirt. Got after the bowling of Pradeep early on. So unlucky to be on the losing side.
Moeen Ali – 5/10 – Another disappointing performance from Moeen. Steady with the ball, without threating the Sri Lankan batsman. Brainless cricket with the bat after hitting de Silva for a six, next ball decided to repeat the same shot, when he didn’t need to. So far has had a very poor return with the bat, with his place in jeopardy for the remaining three group matches.
Chris Woakes – 6/10 – Will be disappointed with his dismissal- chasing a wide ball outside off stump. Steady five overs from the Warwickshire all-rounder.
Jofra Archer – 9/10 – Outstanding again from the man who has looked so comfortable in an England shirt. Used his excellent slower ball to great effect. Very quick opening spell and picked up a couple of late wickets at the end of the Sri Lankan innings. Currently joint top wicket-taker in the tournament, with plenty more to come.
Adil Rashid– 7/10 – Did nothing with the bat. Picked up two wickets in two balls- and ended with promising figures of 2 for 45.
Mark Wood – 9/10 –. Another outstanding performance from Wood. Firing in a selection of yorkers and slower ball bouncers make him a real handful for batsman to face. Deserved his three wickets on the day. Along with Archer another big player for England.
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Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne – 4/10 – No impression at the top of the order. Fell to a fine delivery from Archer.
Kusal Perera – 4/10 – Awful way of getting out by the opener. Slash to third man where Ali grabbed the chance. Always looked in trouble against the quicker ball.
Kusal Mendis – 8/10 – Looked comfortable at the crease until taking on Rashid. Dismissed slog sweeping where Morgan took a fine catch at short mid-wicket.
Avishka Fernando – 9/10 – Terrific effort from the youngster. Took the attack to England with good effect. 49 runs with six fours and two six’s off 39 balls, but will be so disappointed at his dismissal- upper cut straight to third man. Overall, a very encouraging effort from a player making his first appearance in this World Cup.
Angelo Mathews – 8/10 – Now 32 years of age but showed in this match he has still got it. A patient match winning innings of 85 not out helped Sri Lanka to victory.
Jeevan Mendis – 4/10 – Won’t want to see the DVD of his own performance. Made a golden duck and was given just three overs after being hit for 23 runs.
Dhananjaya de Silva – 8/10 – Will be very pleased with his own individual performance in the match. Shared in a partnership of 57 with Mathews for the sixth wicket, with a vital contribution of 29. Fell to a super catch from Root at mid-on. Starred with the ball with figures of 3 for 32.
Thisara Perera – 4/10 – Never threatened England with either bat or ball.
Isuru Udana – 4/10 – Took a brilliant return catch to remove the England Captain. Slower ball removed Archer. Useful effort from the experienced seamer.
Lasith Malinga – 9/10 – Saved his best bowling in the tournament for England. Rolled back the years with bowling of the highest order. Removed England’s top three to put Sri Lanka on top. Returned to remove the key wicket of Buttler. Finished with four for 43. Best figures so far in the tournament from the experienced 35-year-old.
Nuwan Pradeep – 6/10- Steady ten overs from the right armer. Took some punishment from Stokes, but overall a steady performance with the ball.
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