CWC 2023, England vs Sri Lanka: SL thrash ENG by 8 wickets

England has lost three consecutive matches in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 and have overall lost four matches leading them to the brink of elimination. Both Sri Lanka and England have faced each other five times in the World Cup but England have never won a single game against the Lankan Lions.

Earlier, England’s captain Jos Butler won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first their top six batters crumbled within 25 overs. Though their openers were off to a good start, veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews scalped a wicket in the seventh over, which was also his first ODI wicket after three years.

Later Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Jos Butler were back in the pavilion before the 16th over. Later, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali tried to steady the innings, but the latter was dismissed by Angelo Mathews breaking the partnership.

Soon Chris Woakes was also dismissed as Sadeera Samarawickrama took a blinder and the Englishmen became almost completely reliant on Ben Stokes to get the team to a respectable total. However, he fell on 43 off 73 in the 31st over eventually leading to England being bowled out for a mere 156 in 33.2 overs.

Defending a mere total, England tried well to stop the Lankan Lions, they scalped two early wickets but inform batters Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Nissanka steadied the innings and later both the batters scored a brilliant half-century, giving no chance of comeback to the English bowlers and eventually ending England’s chances of victory.

Nissanka finished it off in style with a six and Sri Lanka won the game by 8 wickets with a whooping 146 balls to spare. Both the batters were unbeaten and Nissanka scored 77 off 83 and Samarawickrama scored 65 off 54.

Lahiru Kumara was adjudged the Player of the Match for his figures of 7-35-3. The chances of the defending champions qualifying for the semis have been drastically reduced and any further loss will be an early exit for the defending champions. They will face India next on Sunday at Lucknow who are the only unbeaten side in this World Cup.