Quickly
Socially
Trending
Crypto
ENG beat SL by 7 wickets | Sri Lanka vs England, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match - Commentary
England in Sri Lanka, 5 ODI Series, 2018
Date: Oct 17, 2018 Start Time: 14:30 IST | 09:00 GMT | 14:30 LocalVenue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Google Trends
Sri Lanka vs England Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - ODI Commentary
Needless to say, Sri Lanka will be disappointed. But they can take heart from the fact that the track is on the slower side with the wicket holding up. An interesting chase is on the cards. Stay tuned...
The Lankans could not adjust to the fielding restrictions and England came back strongly in the middle overs. Adil Rashid was the key, with 4/36 in 5 overs while Tom Curran impressed with his 3/17 in 4 overs. The visitors were excellent with the slower balls in the later stages of the innings.
What an anti-climax. 45/0 in the first 4 overs and just 105/9 in the next 17. The opening stand seemed to indicate that a 200-plus score is on the cards but Dickwella's dismissal turned the tide.
Tom Curran to Amila Aponso. OUT! A run out to end the innings. A slower ball again outside off, Aponso swings hard, only to miss. This time Malinga calls him through for a single. Jos Buttler has an under-arm shy at the striker's end but misses. No problem. Why? Because Tom Curran is there at the other end. Collects, turns around and then has a shy at the bowler's end. BINGO! Amila is nowhere in picture. ENGLAND NEED 151 TO WIN!
Tom Curran to Amila Aponso. Dot ball. A short ball outside off, Aponso slashes hard but misses.
Amila Aponso walks in at number 10, replacing Chandimal.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. OUT! Caught at short fine leg! Sri Lanka lose their 8th. Chandimal gets across well in advance while Curran smartly slips in a slower ball, around off, at 109 kph. The skipper is totally foxed, looks to paddle but mistimes it horribly to land a simple catch to Adil Rashid at short fine leg. Third wicket for the impressive Curran.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and straight, hit straight back. Curran dives to his right and stops the ball.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. A short ball, on off, Chandimal pulls it off the splice of the bat towards long on. By the time the fielder can get to the ball, they return for the second. 150 UP FOR SRI LANKA!
Tom Curran to Lasith Malinga. Punches this down to long off for a single.
Tom Curran to bowl the final over. 3-0-14-2 so far.
Chris Woakes to Lasith Malinga. On middle and leg, Malinga backs away and hits it towards long on for a single.
Lasith Malinga comes in at number 9, replacing Dananjaya.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. OUT! Run out by a yard! Outside off, Akila hits it towards point and takes a single. The batsmen take a late call to go for the second and poor Dananjaya sacrifices himself. The throw comes in to Buttler when he is at the halfway mark. Easy run out.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. FOUR! Cheeky! A short ball outside off, Dananjaya waits for it to come and ramps it over the keeper to the third man fence!
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. Full and outside off, driven neatly through the covers for a couple.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. A terrific delivery! A yorker outside leg, hits Chandimal on the boots as he looks to flick. He slips and falls over. The ball deflects over to third man and the batsmen take a leg bye. Boy, Chandimal is hobbling.
Akila Dananjaya walks out at number 8, replacing Shanaka. Chris Woakes to bowl the penultimate over.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. OUT! A wicket to end his spell! The googly it is and this time Shanaka does not pick it. Is early into his slog and does not connect with the ball. Timberrrr. A useful cameo from Shanaka comes to an end - 21 from just 10 balls. Rashid finishes with figures of 5-0-36-4!
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! Whoa! Slower ball goes horribly ugly. It is bowled at 65 kph and is miles outside off. Still, Shanaka goes after it. Reaches out and looks to club it over the bowler. Luckily for him, the ball lands right in between long on and long off. Jason Roy races across to his left from long on, dives but is nowhere near the ball.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and around off, reverse swept through point for a run.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, bludgeoned past the bowler towards long off where Tom Curran does well near the ropes, sliding to his right. The batsmen are restricted to a couple.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, slapped through the covers for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! Welcome back, mate! The googly, on middle and leg, Shanaka picks this well. Gets down and mows it over short fine leg for a biggie!
Adil Rashid to bowl his final over. 4-0-22-3 so far.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. They pick up a single. 10 from the over, much needed for the hosts.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! WHACK! Finally a biggie for Sri Lanka! Their first tonight. A short ball outside off, slower in pace, 113 kph, Shanaka picks up the change and pulls it over mid-wicket for half a dozen!
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. A low full toss wide outside off, Dasun reaches out and mistimes it towards short extra cover where Eoin Morgan dives to his right and parries it to his right. Gets up in a flash and the batsmen go back to their ends.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. A length ball now, on middle, helped through square leg for one.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Another short ball, extra pace and bounce, Shanaka mistimes his pull to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. A short ball, around middle and off, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Powerplay 3 has been signalled. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 21st over.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Short and outside off, slammed through the covers for one.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
A bit of a delay as Tom Curran asks for some sawdust to be sprayed around the landing area.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off, eased through the covers for a run.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. On a length outside off, coming in, Chandimal looks to tuck it to the leg side but is cramped for room. Is hit on the tummy and he wants the single but does not realize that the ball is just beside the stumps. Is sent back.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Full and straight, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single. Gets off the mark.
Dasun Shanaka walks in at number 7, replacing Dhananjaya de Silva.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. OUT! Slower ball does the trick again! Curran has his second. He deceives the batsman with his change in pace, bowls it at 110 kph, on a length outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva, who has been simply struggling to read the change in pace, is done in once more. Is early into his shot and spoons a simple catch to Jason Roy who moves to his right from mid on. Sri Lanka are losing their way big time here.
Tom Curran is back on. 2-0-10-1 so far.
Ben Stokes to Dhananjaya de Silva. A short ball, around off, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Ben Stokes to Dhananjaya de Silva. Another slower ball outside off, DdS has a wild swing but is beaten comprehensively by the change in pace.
Ben Stokes to Dhananjaya de Silva. Outside off, a siwng and a miss.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. Around off, on a length, watchfully defended.
Ben Stokes to Dhananjaya de Silva. DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE CONSUMED DHANANJAYA. A length ball outside off, de Silva pushes it towards the off side and sets off for a single. However, he is sent back, from a point of no return. Ben Stokes gets to his left, takes aim and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. De Silva was nowhere in the picture. Now, to add to Stokes' frustration, they take a single off the overthrow.
Ben Stokes is back on. 2-0-8-0 so far.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, hit hard but straight to mid off.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. MISFIELD, FOUR! After a wonderful effort on the previous ball, Stokes fumbles an easy one. A short ball, around middle and off, Chandimal heaves hard and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards deep mid-wicket. Ben Stokes gets across to his left, slides but cannot quite push the ball back in. Is frustrated with himself.
Chris Woakes to Dhananjaya de Silva. Outside off, tapped through point for a run.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Excellent fielding by Ben Stokes! A length ball on middle, Chandimal helps it through mid-wicket where Ben Stokes races across and dives full stretch to his right and cleanly stops the ball. Two runs taken.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Full on middle, driven straight back.
Chris Woakes is back on. 2-0-21-0 so far.
Olly Stone to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Olly Stone to Dhananjaya de Silva. A short ball outside off, de Silva looks to pull but gets a thin inside edge, which does not quite carry to Jos Buttler. He is unable to stop it either and the ball rolls to fine leg. Two byes signalled though.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. WIDE. Unusual bounce. Too high to worry the batsman! The umpire has signalled a wide.
Olly Stone is back on. 2-0-22-0 so far.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Outside off, Dhanajaya pushes but misses. 3 runs and 2 wickets from the over, Rashid's figures read 4-0-22-3!
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. On a length around off, watchfully defended.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Dhananjaya de Silva has come in at number 6, replacing Thisara. Chandimal will face the hat-trick ball though.
Adil Rashid to Thisara Perera. OUT! Gone first ball! All of a sudden, Rashid is on a hat-trick. Tossed up outside off, Thisara looks to slog this out of the ground, without having the patience to even have a look at the bowler. Is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and skies it high in the air. Now, two people come in convention. Long on and long off. For a second, both misjudge, leaving it for the other. However, at the last moment, Jason Roy calls for it from long off, keeps his eyes on the ball and then dives full length to his right to take the stunner! Absolutely needless from Thisara.
Thisara Perera walks in at number 5, replacing Samarawickrama.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. OUT! Caught off a full toss! Bonus wicket for England. Rashid perhaps looks to bowl a googly but it slips out of his hand. It turns out to be a high full toss and Samarawickrama, looking to paddle it over fine leg, hits it towards square leg, where Chris Woakes backpedals and takes a good leaping catch! How crucial will this be? Samarawickrama was looking in great touch and could have powered the Lankans to a total of around 175. Now...
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Backs well away to the leg side, Rashid follows him, bowling it outside leg, Samarawickrama backs away and punches it towards point where Joe Root dives to his right but parries it towards sweeper cover. Two runs taken.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. A short ball outside off, Chandimal flays but misses.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Full and wide outside off, squeezed through point for a run.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. A short ball, outside off, pulled towards mid-wicket for a quick run.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Walks down the track and looks to go over the top but mistimes it towards mid on. Just a run.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. WIDE. A wild bouncer, outside off, Samarawickrama sways away and it is wided. Too high.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 11 from the over, Rashid's figures are still decent - 3-0-19-1 so far.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. FOUR! Nopes. The effort is great but the final result is not that great. Tossed up outside off, Samarawickrama dances down the track and looks to go over the top but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. Miscues it over mid on and it almost makes it to the fence. However, Ben Stokes races across to his left from deep mid-wicket and sticks out his left hand, parrying the ball in. However, the ball bounces and then rolls back into the ropes! The effort is referred upstairs as Tom Curran gets to the ball from mid on and returns it but replays make it clear.
Outstanding from Ben Stokes! Has he saved a boundary? Referred upstairs...
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. A touch short, pushed towards long on for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. FOUR! Interesting shot. Full and outside off, Chandimal gets down and reverse sweeps it past short third man for a boundary!
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Ben Stokes to Dinesh Chandimal. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Driven through mid off by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. A fiery bouncer, at the head of the batsman, Sadeera moves out of harm's way.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. A slower ball, around middle, Samarawickrama looks to pull but is done in by the slowness of the surface. Is way too early into the shot and the ball goes off his hip, towards the keeper. Buttler is wrong-footed, initially moving to his left. He dives to his right, but can only parry the ball towards third man. Two runs taken, leg byes signalled.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Outside off, played straight to point.
Ben Stokes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. WIDE. A loose ball to start. Well outside off, kissing the guidelines, left alone.
Ben Stokes called on to bowl as well. 6th bowler in the 10th over.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a run.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Around off, punched towards cover.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. FOUR! HANDSOME! What a beautiful shot. Tossed up outside off, the wrong 'un, Samarawickrama picks it and lofts it beautifully over cover and gets a boundary. The stand moves to 11 from 12 balls.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Around middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Around off, defended from the crease.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Short and outside off, cut through covers for a couple.
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has worked it off his pads behind square. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Olly Stone gets another go, after conceding 17 in his opener.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. Just 2 runs and a wicket from the over, the last 2 have yielded just 5/2.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal walks in at number 4, replacing Mendis.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. OUT! Buttler is fine but Mendis is not! He has to depart! What a beauty from Rashid and England are slowly coming back into this contest. The googly googles the batsman. Full and outside off, Mendis looks to drive but clearly does not pick the wrong 'un. He lunges into the drive but is beaten all ends up, as the ball spins in, goes past the inside edge and hits the off stump! Mendis is happy to walk but the two umpires have a chat - to discuss whether the keeper has dislodged the stumps. It is referred upstairs but replays show that Buttler has not touched the stumps at all. Another failure for Mendis.
BOWLED? Or not? Seems like Rashid has cleaned up Mendis but the umpires want to check whether the bails have been accidentally dislodged by Jos Buttler beforehand.
Adil Rashid to Sadeera Samarawickrama. On the pads, helped towards deep square leg for a single.
Adil Rashid comes on to bowl now.
Tom Curran to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Outside off, steered to third man for a single. An outstanding over from Tom Curran - 3 runs and a wicket from it.
Tom Curran to Sadeera Samarawickrama. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Tom Curran to Sadeera Samarawickrama. A short ball outside off, steep bounce, left alone. No wide signalled, just one bouncer for the over.
Kusal Mendis walks in at number 3, replacing Dickwella.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. OUT! Dickwella is dismissed! Much-needed wicket for England. Is that the spark they needed? A length ball outside off, angling away, once again, it is a smart change in pace. Dickwella is done in by that. He looks to get across, then shuffle back and go over the top on the off side. But is way too early into the stroke and mistimes it over cover. Chris Woakes runs across from mid off and takes a very good catch. Never easy, these.
Tom Curran to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Oops... did that slip out of the hand? An attempted slower delivery, bowled at 103 kph. It probably is delivered from the back of the hand. But it turns out to be a full toss, which dips in from a height. Samarawickrama is surprised but manages to steer the ball to third man for a run.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
Moeen Ali to Sadeera Samarawickrama. FOUR LEG BYES! Full and around middle, Samarawickrama looks to flick but misses. However, the ball grazes his pads and goes past the keeper to the fine leg fence!
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and on leg stump, pushed towards long on for one.
Moeen Ali to Sadeera Samarawickrama. On middle and off, flicked towards square leg for a run. 50-RUN STAND IS UP, in quickfire time!
Moeen Ali to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Very full on middle and leg, Samarawickrama backs away to the leg side and goes inside out, over cover-point. Once again, Bairstow is called upon to field who slides to his left to stop the ball. This time, a couple is taken.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Very full, almost a yorker, on middle and leg, flicked towards deep mid-wicket. Dickwella wants the second but Jonny Bairstow is way too quick to allow him to get that.
Moeen Ali to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Around middle and off, punched down to long on for a single.
Change of pace. Moeen Ali is introduced.
Tom Curran to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Thick inside edge by the batsman, ball goes down to fine leg. The batsmen have run through for a single. 45/0 in POWERPLAY 1!
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Excellent slower delivery, outside leg, ND backs away and looks to go inside out but is squared up. Gets an outside edge which does not carry to the keeper.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Pitched around middle and off, going away, Niroshan looks to paddle again but misses and is hit on the pads. A huge shout goes up for LBW but the impact is well outside off.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. DROPPED, FOUR! Oh dear... England did not need this. Full on middle and leg, Dickwella gets down and attempts the paddle scoop. However, he is beaten by the change in pace and mistimes it. Hits it towards Adil Rashid who comes running in from short fine leg but is unable to take the catch. Worse, he is not even able to stop the ball and concedes a boundary! Tom Curran has his hands over his head.
Tom Curran to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Full and outside off, pushed in front of point for a quick single. Excellent running.
First bowling change of the evening. Tom Curran will have his first crack.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Lovely batting! After seeing what he did on the previous ball, Woakes bowls it outside leg. What does Dikka do? Backs away to the leg side and flays it through covers for consecutive boundaries! A hat-trick at that! 13 from the over, 30 from the last 2!
Another discussion between captain and bowler. Third man comes up. Fine leg and square leg stay back.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! It is raining boundaries! No swing and Woakes is being carted all around the park. On middle and leg, Dickwella shuffles across a touch and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary!
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Fine shot! A length ball outside off, Dickwella reaches out and steers it behind point for a boundary!
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. On a length outside off, Samarawickrama reaches out and runs it down to third man for a single.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! 4th boundary in the over! Boy, Sri Lanka are flying. A short ball outside off, Dickwella initially aims to duck but then at the last moment, ramps it over the slip cordon to the third man fence! What an over for the hosts - 17 from it!
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! WALLOP! A short ball, around middle, angling away, Dickwella stays back and pulls it with disdain through mid-wicket for the third boundary of the over!
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Outside off, left alone.
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. OUTSIDE EDGE, FOUR MORE! Oh dear... not what he wanted to do. Stone continues to fire his length balls and this time, Samarawickrama looks to go over the off side, probably over cover. However, he is clearly beaten by pace and ends up getting a thick outside edge over the slip cordon to the third man fence!
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. INSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Nervy start for Sadeera. On a length outside off, bowled at a fiery 140 kph, Samarawickrama looks to punch it through the off side but the ball generates extra bounce with exceeding pace. The batsman is cramped for room and gets an inside edge. But luckily for him, it evades the stumps and races to the fine leg fence!
Olly Stone to bowl from the other end.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman has played it to the point region.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! A length ball outside off, Dickwella gets across and punches it through cover for the second boundary of the over.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball outside off, Niroshan looks to pull but is beaten by the lack of bounce.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! In the air, but safe. Full and slightly wider outside off, Dickwella reaches out and drives it uppishly, between cover and mid off and gets a boundary!
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. On middle and leg, played towards short mid-wicket.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Beaten! What a jaffa to start. On a length outside off, Dickwella looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way, cramps him for room and just about beats the inside edge and the off stump!
The players are out in the middle! Niroshan Dickwella and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the openers for Sri Lanka. Chris Woakes to steam in from over the wicket to the former. Here we go!
Lankan captain, Dinesh Chandimal, says that they would have chased as well because of the wet outfield but one cannot control the toss. States that the outfield looks pretty damp but the wicket seems pretty dry - which might aid some turn. Agrees that a shortened game allows his batsmen to express themselves and hopes that a win is earned out of this one. Informs that his side has gone in with three changes. Kusal Perera is injured while Upul Tharanga and Lakshan Sandakan have been dropped. Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Amila Aponso come in their place.
England skipper, Morgan, says that it has been quite a long day and is a bit frustrated with the weather. Hopes that now, they get a full game in front of them. Informs that the team is unchanged from the previous game, before being reminded that Liam Dawson is injured. Sheepishly smiles and informs that Tom Curran takes his place. Stresses that the team has had a lot of training and warm-up sessions but spending time in the middle is utmost important, which they have been denied in this series so far. On the team focus, Morgan wants his unit to be more sharper, observing that they were a bit lax in the first ODI. On Lasith Malinga coming back strongly to international cricket, Eoin observes that he has always been a champion bowler and it would be a good job done by his batsmen if they read his slower ones along with the normal deliveries.
TOSS - It is time for the spin of the coin. Heads is the call from Eoin Morgan and Heads it is. ENGLAND WILL CHASE.
Hurray! We have a game after all! After waiting and waiting and waiting endlessly for hours, finally the weather gods have decided to allow us to play. Remember those childhood days when our mommies and daddies did not allow us to play for long, citing studying reasons? These clouds seemed determined to remind us of those days. Anyways... the weather has cleared up, the outfield is seemingly dry and we now have a 21-OVER CONTEST.
So that is it from this game! Another truncated one and once again the English side comes out on top. They haven't lost a bilateral series of 3-matches or more since 2017. They now can't lose this one also. However, the hosts can still level the series as there are two more games to go. The 4th ODI will take place on the 20th of October on the same venue at 9.45 AM local (4.15 AM GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!
England captain, Eoin Morgan, suggests that they have improved as a team. Reckons that it is not easy waiting for the rain to stop. Gives credit to the bowlers and mentions about Stokes, Curran and Rashid. Says he cannot praise the bowlers enough for restricting Sri Lanka to 150 as they executed their plans well. On their batting, he says that they have an aggressive opening pair which looks to put the bad balls away. States that they just needed one partnership to take the game away from the opponents. Mentions that there is competition for places in the side which is a good headache.
Thisara Perera speaks in place of Chandimal who is ill. He starts by saying they got a good start by the openers but could not continue on it. Adds further with it being only a 21-over game they needed more runs. Admits they were 30-35 runs short. Reckons the batting line-up has to be blamed and they would hope to do better in the next game. He hopes Chandimal gets better before the 4th ODI.
Man of the Match, Adil Rashid, says he feels good. Adds the conditions were nice but the ball was a little wet. Mentions the googlies came out nicely as he has been practicing hard in the nets. Admits they do practice with the wet ball in the nets and it came in handy. States Morgan as a captain backs each bowler and it is his job to create chances and take wickets. Ends by saying he had a game plan and it came out well tonight.
The Sri Lankan bowlers did not have a lot to defend. Aponso did give them hope with a couple of quick wickets but none of the other bowlers were able to break through. Akila Dananjaya was played out smartly and the pace bowlers were attacked. Pradeep and Malinga both went for around 10 runs per over and while defending a not-so-big total, that is not affordable. Stay tuned for the presentation in a while.
The chase also began in brilliant fashion with the visitors hitting 17 from the first over. Bairstow and Root did fall in quick succession but Morgan and Roy first with a 46-run stand and the English skipper and Ben Stokes with another 50-plus stand took the away team over the line. Jason Roy played a flamboyant innings and was unfortunate to miss out on a half ton. Morgan played as the anchor and stroked a lovely unbeaten 58. He was well supported by Ben Stokes who finished the game off in style.
England now have gone 2-0 up in the series and have taken an unassailable lead, given that the first match was washed out. They have chased this average total down with ease. Their bowlers did an excellent job in the first half, especially after the Lankan openers got them off to flier. Tom Curran and Adil Rashid especially, the two finished with combined figures of 9-0-53-7 ensuring England head into the break ahead.
Amila Aponso to Ben Stokes. SIX! Ends it with a bang! Ben Stokes is nimble on his feet and also makes room. Gets underneath the length and tonks it over the long off fence for a biggie. ENGLAND WIN BY 7 WICKETS!
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Pushes it to long on and gives the strike over to Ben Stokes.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Welcome back into the attack! 5 more needed! A friendly full toss outside off. Morgan hits it through covers. No fielder in the deep and a boundary results.
Amila Aponso to roll his arm.
Thisara Perera to Eoin Morgan. Slower ball on the pads, Morgan tries to work it fine but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Thisara Perera to Ben Stokes. Dances down the track and hits it down to long off for a run.
Thisara Perera to Ben Stokes. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Thisara Perera to Eoin Morgan. Clips it through square leg for a run.
Thisara Perera to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! UP AND OVER! Fifty for Morgan! His good form in ODIs continues. Back-to-back fifties for him. Also this is his 41st in this format. Short and wide outside off, Morgan cuts it over backward point and the ball races away. A gift to get to that milestone. Poor bowling with third man up. Morgan though, raises his bat to soak in the applause by the crowd.
Thisara Perera to Eoin Morgan. Shorter in length outside off, Morgan guides it through point for a brace.
Thisara Perera is called to bowl.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. The dipping slower ball on off, it is a full toss. Morgan times it down to long off for a run.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Very full and outside off, it is driven through cover-point for a run.
Lasith Malinga to Ben Stokes. Very full on the middle pole. Stokes pushes it to covers for a run. 50-run stand between the two comes up. They have taken their team to the brink of victory. Can they stay there till the end?
Lasith Malinga to Ben Stokes. Slower ball down the leg side, wide given. Not been at his best today, Malinga.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signalled by the umpire.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Uppish but Malinga can't get down in time. It is full and on middle, Morgan tries to flick but gets a leading edge back towards the bowler. It goes past him and to the fielder at mid off.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. A yorker, Morgan jams it out.
Lasith Malinga is in for another over.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Dances down the track and hits it through wide mid on for a brace. 24 more needed in 30.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Another one which is tucked through the leg side for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Lovely stop! Saves a run there. Stokes hammers it to the right of Dhananjaya. He dives full stretch and partially stops it.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Eased down to long off for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ben Stokes. Uses his feet again but Pradeep bowls it short. Stokes chops it towards covers for a run.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ben Stokes. SIX! All the way! Amazing from Ben Stokes! Excellent piece of innovation! He first shows the bowler that he is stepping away. This makes Nuwan bowl on the stumps. However, Stokes then shuffles across and paddles it over the fine leg fence for a biggie.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. Dances down the track, Pradeep bowls a slower one. Morgan defends it towards point and takes a quick run.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, guided to point.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ben Stokes. A bouncer on middle, Ben Stokes tries to pull but gets a bottom edge onto his stomach. The ball rolls onto the leg side and the batsmen take a run.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. On the pads, tucked around the corner for a run.
Nuwan Pradeep is back on.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. 4 from this over, they need a few more tight overs.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Another quicker delivery and shorter in length. Stokes pulls it all along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a run. He is really hitting the ball with a lot of power.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Sees Stokes come down the track and fires it short and into the batsman. Ben misses the flick and gets hit on the pads.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Works it with the angle through square leg. It is in the gap and a couple is taken.
The physio is out and having a look at him. Brings out the magic spray. The spray has done its job and Akila is good to go.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. DROPPED! But that was hit like a rocket. More like the ball hit Dhananjaya's hand than Dhananjaya getting a hand to the delivery. Had to stick that one. Stokes comes down the track and with brute force, powers it back towards Dhananjaya. The bowler tries to take it but the power is such that the ball brushes his fingers and hits him around the shoulder area. He does have the awareness to look for the rebound but has no idea where the ball is as it lands on the pitch. Dhananjaya is in pain though.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Slightly slower through the air on the pads, Stokes tries to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat a touch early. He gets a soft leading edge to point.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. 4th dot in a row! Only 5 from the over despite going for a boundary. On a length around off, guided to point.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Another length ball on off, Morgan defends it out. So three dots after going for a boundary. One ball to go, needs to end it well.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. On a length and around off, kept out.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Another slower one on off, the ball sticks on the surface. Morgan mistimes his drive back to the bowler.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! But boundaries will be even better! Short and wide outside off, Morgan cuts it over point and the ball races away to the fence in a jiffy.
Lasith Malinga to Ben Stokes. Slower ball to begin with but the length is a touch shorter. Stokes guides it down to third man and gets to the other end. England won't mind doing it with singles.
Lasith Malinga is back on.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Quicker and outside off, Morgan tries to cut but the ball is a little too close to play that shot. He ends up chopping it to point. So two dots to end the over.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Another couple as it is slapped through covers. Akila does well in the deep but can't stop the brace.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Flatter on off, this is punched through covers for a run. 100 up for England, they are doing this easily.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Stokes. Misfield but good backing up! This is on the pads, Stokes plays it with a straight bat towards wide long on. The fielder there runs to his left but lets the ball through his legs. However, Mendis from deep mid-wicket backs up and keeps it down to two.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Fires it on off, Morgan times it to long off and takes a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva is back on.
Akila Dananjaya to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes flicks it towards mid-wicket. He runs the first one hard, the fielder fumbles and enables the second. Excellent running. 55 more needed in 60 balls.
Akila Dananjaya to Ben Stokes. Dances down the track but Akila shortens the length. Stokes blocks it out.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Very full on middle, Morgan hits it down to long on and changes strike.
Akila Dananjaya to Ben Stokes. Flatter around off, it skids off the surface. Stokes times it to long off for another run. Singles will do in this over, especially after the last one being a good one for England.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Dances down the track and eases it down to long off for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Flatter on the stumps, Morgan keeps out the good delivery.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total. 11 from Pradeep's first.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ben Stokes. Uses his feet but this time mistimes it towards mid on. They go for the run and the fielder makes it easier for them by fumbling.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Off the mark in style! Just a push that one but such was the timing that it races away. On a length around middle, Stokes stands tall and strokes it through mid on, the ball races away. Already an expensive first over by Pradeep.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. A little fuller than the last ball and a little bit closer to the off pole. Morgan chops it towards the keeper for a quick run.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! A little too short and a little too wide and Pradeep pays the price. He cuts it through point. Akila in the deep makes good ground to his right, dives but can't stop the ball.
Nuwan Pradeep to Eoin Morgan. Starts off with a back of a length delivery around off, Morgan punches it to covers.
Ben Stokes is the new man in. Also, Nuwan Pradeep is into the attack.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. OUT! Of nowhere! What a review. They went upstairs for a catch but get an LBW instead. They will take it anyway. Akila strays down leg, Roy goes for the sweep but cannot get bat to ball. It touches something and goes behind to the keeper. Dickwella takes the catch and puts in a half-hearted appeal. The umpire does not signal a wide thinking it went off the pads. Sri Lanka have a chat and take it up. The ball did go off his pad but when the third umpire checked Ball Tracking, we see all three reds. Big wicket for the hosts. The 46-run stand ends and the away side need more 71 runs from the last 12 overs.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total. Smart batting, follows the boundary with strike rotation.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! England dealing in boundaries. They are going about things very well here. Dananjaya gives this air on off, Morgan goes inside out and lifts it over covers. The ball races to the boundary.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Milked through mid on to give Morgan the strike.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. SIX! What a strike! Tossed up ball in line of the stumps, Roy extends his arms with a full bat swing and smokes it over the long on fence.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Short ball down leg, Morgan turns his bat to the on side and picks up a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Wide. The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The umpire signals a wide.
Akila Dananjaya is back on.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. FOUR! SHOT! Full and outside off, Roy lofts it over covers. The sweeper hares to his left but cannot get near the ball. Boundary. Second off the over.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Driven to long off and they jog to complete the run.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Length ball outside off, played with an open bat face behind point. They manage to come back for the second.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg, Roy picks it up early and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. They are keeping up with the run-rate.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Length ball outside off, Roy touches it to mid off. Morgan is out of his crease to take the run but is sent back by his partner.
Lasith Malinga is back on.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! SHOT! Morgan is in the form of his life. Short ball outside off, Eoin punches the ball in the gap through mid off for a boundary.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Uses his feet and milks this thorugh the on side for a run.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Reverse sweep which Roy fails to put bat on ball. A risky shot which is not giving much dividends.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Brings out the reverse sweep again. This time Roy connects but cannot get it past point.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Pitched on middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket for another run. 50 up for the tourist.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Darted full outside off, Morgan goes for the reverse sweep but fails to make connection.
Change of ends for Amila Aponso.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Rocks back and pushes this along the turf through mid on for a single. England need 103 runs in 90 balls.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Short ball coming into Morgan who goes back and gives it back to the bowler.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Jason Roy. Short ball outside off, cut to deep backward point for an easy run. England rotating the strike well.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, driven past mid off to get to the other end.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Played to the mid-wicket region by EM.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! SWEET! Full and on off, it was there to be hit, Morgan drives it from the middle of the bat through mid off for a boundary.
Dhananjaya de Silva is into the attack now.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Short ball on leg, turned to square leg for one. Sri Lanka putting the pressure back on England.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. WIDE! Drifted down leg, Dickwella makes a good stop.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full in line of the stumps, Roy gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full and down leg, helped to short fine leg.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Short outside off, played with soft hands past point. The batsmen run the first one hard which enables them to come for the second.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Darted on the leg side, Morgan works it around the corner to give Roy the strike.
Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 17th over.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Short ball on leg, Morgan punches the ball off his back foot. Another successful over for Aponso comes to an end.
Eoin Morgan walks out to the middle.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. OUT! Bowled 'em! Another wicket for Aponso. Bowls this one slower through the air on middle and leg. It is the arm ball and also skids through. Root is a bit early into his flick. Plays all around it, ends up missing it and the ball goes on to hit his pad and crash into the off pole. Big wicket for the hosts.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. FOUR! SHOT! Great timing on that one. It was full on off, Roy gets ahead and drives it through cover for a good looking boundary.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Well stopped! Full and on leg, Roy swings hard and drives it towards long on. The fielder there moves to his left, dives and saves a certain two runs. Two runs added to the total.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Off spinner on middle and leg, Roy goes back and pushes it to the on side.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full around off, hit towards mid on for one. Roy will retain strike for the next over.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Floated ball on leg, the batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. FOUR! Googly but way too short, Root rocks back and punches this through cover-point. The fielder hares behind it but cannot stop it from touching the ropes.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. JR rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Hits it along the turf through that region this time and gets a couple of runs. Full and on middle and leg, flicked past mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Short ball on middle and leg, Root flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya is into the attack. Spin from both sides now.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Excellent over! Just a couple from it and a big wicket. Tosses this one up on off, Root drives it to cover-point and the fielder there makes a good stop.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Off spinner around off, Joe gets it off the inner half back to the bowler.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Darts this full on the legs of Root who hits it to mid-wicket.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Goes full again outside off, Root jams it out to covers.
Joe Root is the new man in.
Amila Aponso to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! Bairstow looks to take Aponso on and gets caught. Amila holds it back a bit and tosses this one up. Jonny looks to go over mid off but gives it straight to Thisara Perera there. The move to bowl Aponso ahead of Dananjaya has worked for the home side. They needed this wicket especially after Malinga was taken for plenty in the first. Can the left-arm spinner do further damage?
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Full and on leg, hit to long on for an easy run.
Amila Aponso to bowl from the other end. Strange they haven't gone with Akila Dananjaya.
Lasith Malinga to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Great start for England. 17 runs off the over. Full and down leg yet again, Jonny flicks it behind square for a boundary.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Full on off, Roy plays it with soft hands towards the off side and gets a run.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. Two runs added to the total.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Slower ball again on off, Roy closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge towards cover-point. Samarawickrama dives to his right but cannot get close to the ball. Two runs added to the total.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. SIX! It took Sri Lanka more than 15 overs to hit their first biggie, England get it in the second ball itself. Slower ball in line of the stumps, Roy flicks it over square leg to deposit it over the ropes.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Wide. Down the leg side again, Roy leaves it alone.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Full, pitched on middle and leg, Roy plays it with a straight bat to mid on.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Wide. Comes in from over the wicket and lands it way down leg. Dickwella does really well to stretch and collect it. Looks like he has hurt himself but is fine to continue.
We are back for the chase. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow walk out to the middle to open the England innings. Lasith Malinga will bowl the first over for Sri Lanka.