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ENG beat SL by 18 runs (D/L method) | Sri Lanka vs England, Highlights And Cricket Score 4th ODI Match - Commentary
England in Sri Lanka, 5 ODI Series, 2018
Date: Oct 20, 2018 Start Time: 09:45 IST | 04:15 GMT | 09:45 LocalVenue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
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Sri Lanka vs England Highlights And Cricket Score 4th Match - ODI Commentary
274 is the target then for England, to seal the series. Can they do that today? It will be a big test for their batsmen and that too, on a track which is spinning big time. The Lankans have three spinners in Akila, Aponso and Dhananjaya de Silva. Should be an interesting run chase. Join us back at 2 pm local (0830 GMT).
There was no one hero for the Islanders today but if there was any need to find one, Dasun Shanaka is that man. He came in when his team was amidst a collapse and then held the innings together. First, he added 52 with Dhananjaya de Silva and his 58-run stand with Thisara was about to flourish when he got run out. His run-a-ball 66 kept England in check and the scoreboard moving. Earlier, Dickwella's 52 and Chandimal's 33 avoided England further inroads while Perera's 44 and Akila's 32 hurt them in the death.
Chris Woakes had a decent outing, finishing with 1/45 in 10 overs while Adil Rashid ended up with 1/36 in his 10. The rest struggled. The plan was simple from Sri Lanka - do not give wickets to these two and attack the rest. Proved fruitful today.
Let us have a look at the different stages - Powerplay 1 yielded 44/1, the next 10 went for 48/1, overs 21-30 saw 53/2 while the next 10 resulted in 45/1. But the last 10 overs, where usually, the death bowlers come to the party for England, proved fatal for the visitors as they leaked 83 runs, picking up just 2 wickets.
What was the difference in Sri Lanka's batting today? Partnerships. 4 of them went above 50 and the last three came back-to-back. Today, England's bowlers started well, were on top in the middle overs but once the spinners went out of the attack, the rest failed to curtail the Lankans.
Wow. We have a contest now. What did we say at the mid-way stage? 230? 250? Boy, we have got Russel Arnold's competitive score to win - 270-plus. Eoin Morgan is seen shadow practicing on the pitch. His batsmen surely have a task on their hands.
Chris Woakes to Lasith Malinga. FOUR! A boundary to end the innings and SRI LANKA END ON 273/7! Full and wide outside off, Malinga reaches out and drives it through the covers. Jason Roy dives to his left at the boundary but in vain!
Chris Woakes to Lasith Malinga. WIDE. He has to face one more ball. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. The umpire signals a wide.
Lasith Malinga to face the final ball of the innings.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. OUT! Perera gets run out on the penultimate ball. A length ball on middle and leg, Thisara flicks it through mid-wicket, takes the single and then turns for the second. But the throw from Stokes is accurate and Buttler whips off the bails. Thisara is nowhere in the frame. But a good innings. Tried his best to throw his wicket away initially but then better sense prevailed after a while.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a run.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. Smart bowling. This time Woakes goes full and wide outside off, AD is backing off too far and cannot reach.
For the first time in this series, England are under pressure. Morgan walks across to his bowler and there is a mini-conference.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. FOUR! 10 from the first 2 balls and now 275 is a possibility! Once again, Dananjaya backs away to the leg side and Woakes follows him once more. However, the batsman flicks it behind square leg and gets a boundary! Moves to 31 from 24 balls!
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. SIX! Ho ho ho! What a way to raise the 50-stand. In 42 balls! Third consecutive 50-run stand for Sri Lanka. A length ball on leg stump, following the batsman, Dananjaya picks up the slower ball and swings it well over mid-wicket!
Last over then. Can Sri Lanka get to 270?
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. On middle and leg, flicked towards fine leg for a couple. 10 from the over. Tom Curran finishes with figures of 9-1-50-1.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. Full and outside off, driven towards long off for one.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. FOUR! Sri Lanka needed a boundary and Dananjaya gets one for them. A short ball outside off, Akila backs away and swats it over mid off for a boundary! 250 UP FOR SRI LANKA! The stand is worth 41 from 39 balls, of which, Akila has made 20 from 21.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Another slower ball, 112 kph, pitched on a length outside off, angling away, Thisara loses his shape, trying to swing hard and mistimes it through square leg. One run added to the total.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. Full and outside off, squeezed through the covers for a run.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. A short ball, slower in pace, Perera mistimes his pull down the ground for a single. Moves to 40 from 38 balls.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. A full toss, on middle, punched towards long off for one. 6 singles in that over. Superb bowling.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. IN THE AIR... DOES NOT CARRY. A length ball outside off, Akila swings hard but gets a top edge. It is in the air for a while but does not carry to Olly Stone at third man. A run taken.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Full on middle, Thisara swings early and is done in by the change of pace. Mistimes it towards long on for a run. This stand is worth 30 now, in 31 balls. Crucial and decent partnership.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. A slower ball to start, following the batsman down the leg side, Dananjaya taps it towards mid on and scampers across for a quick single.
Chris Woakes is back on for his final 2 overs. 8-0-22-1 so far.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. A slower ball, Akila looks to pull but the ball goes off the inside edge through the leg side. A single taken. 11 from the over. Curran's figures read 8-1-40-1.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off. A bit of a yes-yes and a no-no and eventually they do not run.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Looks to tuck this fine but misses. The ball hits his thighs and rolls down fine leg. A leg bye taken.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. SIX! What a shot! A length ball down the leg side, Perera flicks it over fine leg and the ball crosses the ropes with ease!
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. MISFIELD FROM MOEEN. England have looked a bit lax in the field today. A stumping miss, couple of run out chances missed, a catch not taken and a few fumbles. Here is adding to that list. Outside off, Akila places it towards point where Moeen Ali gets across to his left, stoops low to collect but then fumbles and the ball goes through. Costs him and his team a couple.
Olly Stone to Akila Dananjaya. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single. 50 up for Olly Stone. In 42 balls.
Olly Stone to Akila Dananjaya. Full on middle, chipped over mid-wicket for a couple.
Olly Stone to Akila Dananjaya. A high full toss outside off, but a dipping one, placed towards point.
Olly Stone to Akila Dananjaya. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a single.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. Outside off, skewed over point for a couple.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Full on middle, blasted through mid on for a run.
Tom Curran to Akila Dananjaya. A short ball, down the leg side, Dananjaya initially ducks but then tries to ramp it over the keeper. Gets the direction towards fine leg though. Just a run.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Full on middle, worked through mid on for a single.
Tom Curran is back on. 6-1-25-1 so far.
Olly Stone to Akila Dananjaya. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a brace.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. The batsman has driven it through mid off. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. Outside off, punched towards cover.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. Escapes. A bouncer and down the leg side. Should have been wided but it isn't.
Olly Stone to Akila Dananjaya. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. TOP EDGE, SAFE! Perera is toying with his luck. A length ball outside off, Thisara swings hard but gets a top edge. Three men circle under it - point, cover and sweeper cover. Amazingly, the ball lands in between. Alex Hales collects it from the deep and returns a throw to the keeper but Buttler is not able to collect. The ball goes towards backward square leg in the deep but the batsmen do not run the overthrow because Perera does not realize at all.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. Three dots to end the over. Another solid defense. Just a run and a run out from the over.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. The batsman has played it to the point region.
Chris Woakes to Akila Dananjaya. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Hacks this through mid-wicket and gets a single.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Akila Dananjaya walks in at number 8, replacing Shanaka.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. OUT! Shanaka is indeed short! Poor communication from Thisara. He taps this length ball to the off side and immediately calls for a single. Shanaka responds instantly but then Perera changes his mind. Poor Shanaka is caught unawares and has to turn back. He tries but it is too late. Eoin Morgan returns a simple throw to Woakes who does the rest. Shanaka dives and it is referred upstairs but replays show that he is short. End of a wonderful knock. Possibly deprived of a century.
Is Shanaka short here? A run out appeal it is. England are confident, so is Shanaka.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! Highest ODI score for Shanaka now! Gets past his previous best of 65, also in Pallekele, against South Africa, in August this year. Full and outside off, Dasun gets underneath it and lofts it cleanly over long off! 17 from that over! Stone's figures read 5-0-39-0.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. WIDE. Third one of the over. Down the leg side, Shanaka misses his flick.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! Just over! Fourth six for Shanaka. A length ball outside off, Dasun swings hard but does not quite middle it cleanly. He gets more height than distance and for a second, Jason Roy seems interested, running to his right from long on. But eventually, the ball clears him. Roy then crashes into the advertisement billboards. Seems to have hurt his hand. 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN JUST 45 BALLS.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. Full and outside off, Thisara swings hard but gets an outside edge towards third man. Just a single.
Olly Stone to Thisara Perera. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, pushed to cover for a quick single.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. WIDE. Full toss wide outside leg, DS misses his flick.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. A short ball again, but a touch slower, Dasun is beaten for pace this time. Through his pull shot pretty early, only to miss and get hit on the chest. That would have hurt.
Olly Stone to Dasun Shanaka. Not the best of starts. A short ball, way down the leg side, Shanaka misses out on the pull.
Olly Stone is back on. 4-0-22-0 so far.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. The batsman fails to put bat on ball.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Full and outside off, Perera goes hard at this one and ends up skewing it. Luckily for him, it evades the man running sideways from mid off and lands in front of the man running in from sweeper cover. A couple taken.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, slashed behind point for a single.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. Landed outside off, played towards point.
Powerplay 3 has been signalled. 5 fielders can now stay outside the circle till the end of the innings.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! SHOT! 50 for Shanaka! His second overall and in this ground too. Pitched up ball from Stokes outside off, Dasun extends his arms and lofts it uppishly through covers.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Good slower ball. Lands it outside off, Dasun tries to guide it to the off side but fails.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Length ball outside off, another drive from Shanaka which he fails to connect.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! Beauty! Short ball on middle and leg, Dasun pulls it with disdain over square leg for a boundary. No one moved there.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Length outside off, punched to mid off.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. Length outside off, Shanaka looks to work it to the on side but gets a leading edge towards point. They cross.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. Length outside off, guided to backward point.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. Short ball close to the off pole, Dasun goes for the pull but gets beaten.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! Lovely shot! Full and around off, Shanaka steps out and lofts it over mid off. Boundary from the moment it left the bat.
Chris Woakes to Dasun Shanaka. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Chris Woakes to Thisara Perera. Full and around off, played to the off side for a single.
Chris Woakes replaces Tom Curran.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Length ball outside off, Shanaka goes for the booming drive but fails to make connection.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. TP flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Back of a length ball on off, Shanaka pulls it through mid-wicket for one more.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. Thisara opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. Full down leg, the batsman works it down the leg side. Two runs added to the total.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Brute force! Short ball outside off, Perera clears his front foot and smacks it over the umpire's head for a boundary.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Short ball on middle and leg, pulled through square leg for a single.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Pushed to the cover region by TP.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Sees Shanaka coming down the pitch and Curran does well to pull his length back a bit. Dasun guides it through backward point for a single.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Another length ball outside off, Shanaka goes for the drive but cannot put bat to ball.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Length around off, Shanaka crouches and bunts it down.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Length ball down leg, worked fine to the fine leg fence for one.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. TP delicately works it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. Length outside off, defends the ball off the back foot.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. Short again outside off, Perera goes for a pull but misses it.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Sweet! Tries to correct his length but dishes out a half volley on middle and leg. Thisara flicks it through mid-wicket for a good looking boundary.
Ben Stokes to Thisara Perera. Wide. Short ball in fact too short, way over Perera's head. The umpire has signalled a wide.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. One run added to the total.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Slower bouncer, defended off the back foot.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Guided down to fine leg by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Slow ball at 108 kph, Shanaka plays it with a straight bat.
Tom Curran to Thisara Perera. Back of a length ball on leg, tucked away by Perera to get off the mark.
And with that the players take a drinks break! Also, Thisara Perera is the new man in.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. OUT! 50 partnership and out! He was struggling against Stokes in the last over and now gets his outside edge. Length ball outside off, a half-hearted push from Dhananjaya who comes few steps ahead. Gets a soft edge to it and Buttler takes this one with ease.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. FOUR! Fifty run stand comes up for these two. Strays this down leg, Shanaka just helps it fine and the ball races away to the fence. They need to continue from here.
Ben Stokes to Dhananjaya de Silva. 150 up for Sri Lanka. Fuller ball outside off, driven past covers for an easy run.
Ben Stokes to Dhananjaya de Silva. Beaten again. Length ball outside off, tentative drive from de Silva who gets beaten again.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Defended off the back foot by DS.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. No wide! Not for height nor for outside leg. Short ball down leg this. Shanaka ducks under it. Nothing from the square leg umpire and Stokes gets away with a warning.
Ben Stokes to Dasun Shanaka. Beaten. Length ball outside off, Shanaka is very late is putting is bat down and gets beaten.
Ben Stokes is giving the ball.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. A maiden over from Tom Curran.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full down leg, flicked to square leg.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. 4 dots in a row.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. Outside off, moves away a bit, de Silva goes for the drive but gets beaten.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. Defended off the back foot by Dhananjaya.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length outside off, the batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Floated ball on off, bunted down by DS. Rashid ends with 10-0-36-1.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Short leg spinner outside off, Shanaka happy to see the over out as he plays it to the off side.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Tosses this one up on middle and leg, jammed out to the off side.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Loopy ball in line of the stumps, hit back to the bowler.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Blows this much slower outside off, driven through mid off for one.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Short ball down leg, Dhananjaya looks to work it away but cannot make any contact.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Gets behind the ball and taps it in front of him.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Back of a length ball around off, defended off his back foot.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka has driven it through mid off.
Tom Curran to Dhananjaya de Silva. A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. NOT OUT! Length ball in line of the stumps, Shanaka plays it with soft hands to the off side and sets off the run. Morgan there collects and its the stumps at the striker's end. They take it up and the dives saves Dhananjaya.
Direct hit! Is Dhananjaya de Silva in trouble? Referred upstairs...
Tom Curran to Dasun Shanaka. On a length outside off, tapped towards the off side for a single.
Tom Curran is back on. 2-0-14-0 so far.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Full and outside off, pushed towards long off for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! But could that have been caught? Full and outside off, Shanaka gets underneath this and has a massive slog. He mistimes it slightly and Alex Hales at the mid-wicket fence is in with a chance. But with the ropes behind him, he is not sure whether to go back or not. He tries to stand tall(er) and take the catch but the ball escapes him and lands beyond the ropes! If he had leapt, perhaps he could have taken it.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Full and outside off, Shanaka gets across and defends.
Moeen Ali to Dhananjaya de Silva. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. Two runs added to the total. A bit expensive today, Moeen - 10-0-55-2.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Full on middle and off, helped through mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. WIDE. And again. Massive turn. Tell you, if Sri Lanka can get another 100-115 runs, we can have a contest. This pitch is turning square. Similar ball, similar shot attempted, missed again, due to the spin.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. WIDE. Extravagant turn. Pitched outside off, Shanaka looks to flick but misses.
Moeen Ali to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full and outside off, de Silva gets down and across and paddle scoops this towards fine leg for a run. Not a high percentage shot with that man behind.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Full and on off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full and down the leg side, helped behind square leg for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full and outside off, watchfully defended from the crease.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. Spirited effort by the fielder to save runs for his team. 12 runs from the over.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! He is going big here! Full and on middle, Shanaka swings it over mid-wicket and gets half a dozen!
Moeen Ali to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Dhananjaya de Silva. FOUR! Short and outside off, punched through cover for a boundary!
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. MIX UP, RUN OUT CHANCE, MUFFED! Jos Buttler has been having a bad half an hour. First, he missed the stumping of de Silva. Now, he has messes up a simple run out of Shanaka. On middle and leg, Dhananjaya taps it to the leg side and sets off for a single. However, he then changes his mind as he sees Buttler hare to the ball. Poor Shanaka is gone for all money, having come halfway down the track. He tries to get back and luckily for him, Buttler's throw is well wide of Rashid. The bowler still collects the ball and has a shy at the stumps and hits them but Shanaka dives in.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! WHOOSH! First biggie of the match. Last time, Sri Lanka hit their first around the 17th over. Full and around off, Shanaka gets underneath this one and slogs it over mid-wicket. It lands flush on the ropes.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.
Moeen Ali is going off the ground. Joe Denly is on the ground for him.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. DS flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. FOUR! SHOT! Brings out the reverse sweep and gets full marks for it. Tossed up ball down leg, Shananka reverse sweeps it through backward point for a boundary.
Moeen Ali to Dhananjaya de Silva. Loopy ball on off, turned to the leg side for a run.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, Shanaka looks to sweep it but gets hit on his pad.
Moeen Ali to Dasun Shanaka. Low full toss outside off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. Just a run and a wicket from this over - the last 2 have yielded 3/2!
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman defends it from within the crease. One run added to the total.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Adil Rashid to Dasun Shanaka. Beaten! Pitched around off, Shanaka looks to defend but the ball turns away like a snake and beats him.
Dasun Shanaka walks in at number 6, replacing Mendis.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. OUT! Is this the start to the fall of quick wickets? Just before this a stumping chance was missed but Rashid gets a wicket on the very next ball. Full and outside off, it is the googly, Mendis looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. It looks dead and the LBW appeal is upheld. No review left for Sri Lanka but it would not have mattered. Plumb in front, says Hawk Eye. Not a duck this time for Mendis, but not a great score either.
Moeen Ali to Dhananjaya de Silva. STUMPING MISSED! Moeen has been robbed off a wicket. Tossed up outside off, Dhananjaya dances down the track and looks to swing but misses. Luckily for him, Jos Buttler behind fumbles too. 2 runs and a wicket from that over. Moeen's figures read 7-0-29-2.
Dhananjaya de Silva walks in at number 5, replacing Dickwella.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. OUT! LBW! Dickwella has to depart. Full and on middle, Dickwella looks to play the sweep but misses. He is hit on the pads by the first look and umpire Reiffel gives it out after a bit of a thought. Dickwella has a chat with Mendis and refers it upstairs. Replays show that he is hit on the arm but it is good enough. Three reds on the Hawk Eye. Big blow to Sri Lanka.
Dickwella has been adjudged LBW! He has taken the review though. What can save him? Height? Does not look like bat.
Moeen Ali to Kusal Mendis. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Moeen Ali to Kusal Mendis. Outside off, Mendis looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman plays a sweep shot. One run added to the total.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover for a quick single.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. Around off, watchfully blocked out.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. Full and around off, pushed to mid-wicket.
Moeen Ali to Kusal Mendis. Full on off, hit past mid on to rotate strike.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. 50 for Dickwella. Really looks in good touch. Sweeps it away from the short fine leg fielder to get to his landmark. His 7th in this format.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Swept but straight to short fine leg.
Moeen Ali to Kusal Mendis. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Swept to fine leg for just one.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Off spinner in line of the stumps, reverse swept to backward point. Stone from the deep covers good ground and keeps it to two.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. Outside off, Mendis gets a bottom edge to this one as he tried to cut it.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Swept from outside off towards fine leg for one.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. An now an even bigger cheer from the stands as Mendis gets off the mark. Drives it past mid off to get to the other end.
Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis. On middle and leg, well blocked from Mendis. A big cheer form the crowd.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. In the air... but no one there. Slog sweep from Dickwella, gets a leading edge towards deep square leg for a run.
Moeen Ali to Kusal Mendis. Stays on 0. Driven back to mid off.
Kusal Mendis is the new man in.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. OUT! Bowled 'em! Just when then crossed their highest ever partnership this series, Chandimal gives his wicket away. Tossed up off spinner outside off, Dinesh comes down the wicket looking to work it to the on side. Cannot get to the pitch of the ball and looks back to see his bails off. A wicket at a crucial time for the visitors.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Dickwella plays a sweep shot. One run added to the total.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. DC has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman works it down the leg side.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Another reverse sweep. On off, Chandimal gets into position early and gets it through backward point for a brace.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! SHOT! Growing in confidence these two. Rashid gives this air outside off. Dickwella reads the googly and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Premeditated. Leg spinner in line of the stumps. Reverse swept to backward point for a run.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Short ball outside off, cut to point.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Dickwella has swept that one through the leg side. They pick up a single.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. ND has played it towards mid-wicket.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Long appeal! But must be missing leg. Tossed up on middle and leg, Dickwella misses his flick but gets beaten for spin.
DRINKS BREAK. Good recovery from Sri Lanka after losing Samarawickrama. Dickwella and Chandimal have absorbed the pressure and then have eased themselves into the innings. The track is already turning and anything around 250 could be handy. The conditions are humid and overcast but it is not raining.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Four leg byes! Strayed down leg, Dickwella paddles it fine but it goes off his thigh pad. The players appeal but nothing from the umpire. Morgan from short fine leg hares to the ball but looks back to the umpire to see if he is giving that out. In the mean time, the ball reaches the fence.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Sweep again. Does not get it off the bat but gets it off his hand. The ball rolls to the off side.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. NOT OUT! Dickwella gets his foot down in time. It was a loopy ball outside off, Dickwella gets beaten for turn and Jos takes off the bails in a flash. They appeal but and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show us that Dickwella got his foot down in time.
Out? Not out? England have gone up for a stumping. Seems like Dickwella took it a bit lightly and got his foot out...
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off coming into Chandimal who gets a leading edge to the off side.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Leg spinner on off, driven back to the bowler.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off, DC gets a soft leading edge to the side.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. On off, Chandimal strides forward to block this one out.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. And more sweep! Swept to fine leg for one.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Down leg, swept fine to fine leg for a brace.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. 50 partnership up. They have done it pretty well. Sweeps this through square leg to get there.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. DC works this it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. WIDE! Too much turn. Chandimal looks to work it around leg but cannot put bat to ball.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Worked with the spin through mid-wicket for another run.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Brings out the broom again. A very useful shot against the spinners. Dickwella sweeps it to deep square leg to give his skipper the strike.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Floated ball on off, Chandimal uses his feet and driven it to long on for a easy run.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Tossed up on off, Dickwella played it with a straight bat.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Googly outside off, paddled fine towards fine leg for a run.
Adil Rashid to Niroshan Dickwella. Given air on leg, flicked to mid-wicket.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and on off, driven back towards mid off for a single.
Adil Rashid to Dinesh Chandimal. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Adil Rashid to roll his arm.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off, swept to fine leg for a run.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, driven to covers for one more.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Floated ball on off, Chandimal uses his feet and drives it along the turf towards mid on for a run.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Good running. Taps it towards covers and quickly hares to the other end to complete the run.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. On off, Dickwella reverse sweeps it but straight to the short third man fielder.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Tossed up down leg, swept fine to short fine leg for one.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and on the leg again, DC shuffles and flicks it through mid-wicket to retain strike for the next over. Good rotation of strike so far from these two.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and on the pads of Dickwella who works it into square leg to rotate strike.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Good shot for just one. Short ball down leg, Chandimal pulls it with control straight to the man in the deep. They cross.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Length outside off, played with soft hands towards point for a quick run.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Strays this down leg, Dickwella helps it fine to fine leg for a couple of runs. 50 up for the hosts.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Length ball outside off, guided to third man to get off strike.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Dinesh has nudged the ball fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Off spinner on off, Chandimal gets hit on the pads as he looked to turn that away.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Connects the sweep this time but gets a top edge to it. Falls safe before deep backward point for a run.
Moeen Ali to Niroshan Dickwella. Turn and bounce. Dickwella goes for the sweep but fails to make any connection. Stokes at first slip anticipated the paddle and swiftly moves for that shot.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Moeen Ali to Dinesh Chandimal. Tossed up on middle and leg, Chandimal bunts it down to the leg side.
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. 4 fielders can now stay outside the circle. Also, Moeen Ali is into the attack.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. 44/1 in Powerplay 1.
Tom Curran to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and around middle, played towards short mid-wicket.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off, left alone.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. Short and outside off, Dinesh gets on top of the bounce and gets it behind point for a couple.
Tom Curran to Dinesh Chandimal. FOUR! MAJESTIC! Chandimal welcomes Curran with a sumptuous curry of a cover drive. Half volley outside off, just a fraction wide, Chandimal leans into it and drives it through the covers for a boundary. Moves to 11 from 20 balls with his second four. The stand moves to 22 from 29 balls.
First bowling change. Tom Curran is introduced.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. On a length around middle, helped towards fine leg for a run.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has edged that one. One run added to the total.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Fine shot. Full and on middle, Dickwella drives it down the ground. Adil Rashid gives it a good chase from mid on and from one angle, it seems like he has tumbled and stopped the ball. Chris Woakes picks it up and returns the ball back. Three runs taken. Oh wait. Replays show that Rashid did not stop the ball at all and it hit the ropes. Boundary signalled.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has stood up on his toes to play that one. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. A bouncer on middle, Chandimal ducks.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Full on middle, driven straight back. Stone does well to get across and stop.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Landed outside off, left alone.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. On middle and off, defended from the crease.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Angling across, on a length, pushed straight to mid off.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Down the leg side, Niroshan misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! A bit of a drag. A length ball on middle, angling away, Dickwella heaves it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary. The stand moves to 10 from 12 balls.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. A strong appeal from the bowler and fielders. The umpire isn't interested in the appeal.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. WIDE. That takes off after pitching but the line is down the leg side. Chandimal looks to tuck but misses.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. On middle and off, worked towards mid-wicket.
Olly Stone to Dinesh Chandimal. FOUR! Too easy. Half volley on the pads, Chandimal flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. Just a run and a wicket from the over! Woakes' figures read 3-0-3-1.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Chris Woakes to Dinesh Chandimal. Outside off, on a length, left alone.
Interesting. It is NOT Kusal Mendis at number 3, but skipper Dinesh Chandimal. Mendis is on the back of a hat-trick of ODI ducks.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. OUT! Poked behind! It has not taken long for Woakes to strike. It is on a length outside off and Samarawickrama plays a nothing shot. Just looks to steer it to third man without moving his feet. Is done in by the late movement and an outside edge results. Simple catch for Jos Buttler.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Down the leg side, helped behind square leg for a single.
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Olly Stone to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Hits the deck hard, gets the ball to move away, Samarawickrama is squared up and the ball goes off the leading edge to point.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. Just on a length around middle, ND looks to tuck it to the leg side but gets a bit of an inside edge. A single taken.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, on a length, pushed straight to cover.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. Great comeback. Lands it on a length outside off again, but while the previous one moved away, this one nips back in to cut Niroshan into half.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! That is a great shot. On a length outside off, angling away, Dickwella just uses the pace of the bowler and guides it behind point for a boundary! Moves to 11 from 15 balls with his second four.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. The batsmen have run through for a single. The umpire signals a leg bye.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Outside off, left alone.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR LEG BYES. Down the leg side, Dickwella tucks it fine. The ball goes towards the fine leg fence but Tom Curran races to his left, dives but slips in the mud. Tries to stop the ball but it brushes his finger and touches the ropes. Gets up and hobbles a bit. Hope he is fine. 10 from Stone's opening over.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Up and over! That is Dickwella for you. A short ball outside off, Dickwella rises with the bounce and upper cuts it over the slip cordon to the third man fence!
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, played straight to point.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a couple.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. Whoa! It is barely the second over and already Dickwella is down the track, Backs away, has a wild slash but misses.
Olly Stone to Niroshan Dickwella. On a length outside off, steep bounce, moving away Dickwella feels for it but misses.
Olly Stone to bowl with the second new ball.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. Full and straight, Sadeera looks to flick but is done in by the ball holding off the pitch. Gets a leading edge towards cover. A steady start from Woakes.
Chris Woakes to Sadeera Samarawickrama. On middle and off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, Niroshan drives this crisply through the covers but Eoin Morgan dives to his left and parries it to mid off. Just a single to get Sri Lanka off the mark.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. On a length outside off, angling away, Dickwella feels for it but gets beaten.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Chris Woakes to Niroshan Dickwella. Tight start. On a length around off, watchfully patted down the pitch.
Okay then! We are all set for the game to begin. Chris Woakes has the first new ball. Niroshan Dickwella to face. Sadeera Samarawickrama is his partner. Here we go!!!
PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says that it is on the darker side because of the moisture around, but is hopeful of that becoming light in colour once the sun comes out. Predicts that the ball will move around early on because of the moisture but as the day goes on, the track will slow down. Advises the bowlers to use speed variations and asks the batsmen to first get in, then play their shots. 270-280 is a par score here, according to Arnold.
Sri Lankan captain, Dinesh Chandimal, says that he too, would have bowled first, but now wants to put a good total and then bowl well in the second half. Informs that Nuwan Pradeep misses out and Kasun Rajitha comes into the side. On Aponso still staying in the side, Dinesh says that he bowled really well with the wet ball in the previous game and hopes that he does well today too. On the batting, he is confident that his team will do well and on being further informed that no Sri Lankan batsman has got a century this year, he hopes that the unit does well in this game.
England skipper, Eoin Morgan, says that it looks like a really good wicket though it might change along with the conditions. States that the decision is influenced by the inclement weather. Informs that Bairstow hurt his ankle while training yesterday and hence is sitting out today. On being replaced by Alex Hales, who is hard done by to sit out in spite of bring in form, Morgan says that is the way modern cricket is played these days. Is happy that the players in the squad are pushing each other and creating a 'nice' selection headache. On his own form, he is glad that he is amongst the runs.
TOSS - All ready for the spin of the coin. Heads is the call from Morgan and Heads it is. ENGLAND OPT TO CHASE.
WEATHER - There was no rain for the last two days but heavy overnight rain has spoilt the conditions a bit. They are still overcast and we are expecting thunderstorms in the afternoon.
England, wow. They have played like the number 1 team. A bit rusty in the first ODI but after that, they have hit their straps. No looseners, nothing. If we have a full game today, you won't be wrong in predicting England 3-0.
Sri Lanka were never favourites to win the series and given the limited amount of cricket that we have witnessed so far in this series, they have not done anything much to change that. Lasith Malinga has been the only savouring factor but other than that, the bowling has been impressive. Even the spinners, who did so well against the Proteas, have been found wanting. The batting - well, less said the better. They have simply not turned up.
Hurray! We are having a game on time! The way these games are being played in this series, it reminds me of the harbour locals in Mumbai - never come on time. Anyways, jokes apart, hello and a warm welcome to the fourth ODI between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele. Who has the momentum? Rain. Both teams are as fresh as they can be and the status of the series, albeit 2-0 in favour of England, stands more or less as it was at the start of the tour. Shall explain why.
We now head to a drier part of Sri Lanka, Colombo, where it has not rained for a long time. The series is done and dusted with England gaining an unassailable 3-0 series lead but the hosts can still avoid a clean sweep. We hope that the fifth and final ODI, slotted on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 2.30 pm local (0900 GMT), is a properly contested game. Do join us for that. You can also check for other matches in the meanwhile. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
VICTORIOUS ENGLISH CAPTAIN, EOIN MORGAN, HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Is blunt about his side's performance as scrappy in this game, with the bowlers not being consistent. Agrees that Sri Lanka got to a very competitive score but at the same time, felt that the wicket got better so it was easier to blend partnerships. On his team's bowling, he feels that there was a lack of discipline today. Feels that the wicket was tacky and the bowlers could not exploit that properly, yet states that Sri Lanka did not exactly get away from them. On the approaching rain, Morgan says that he was always expecting bad weather around, hence bowled out Rashid and Moeen quickly. Admires his young attack and believes that it has shown a lot of potential. Admits that they will try and experiment with the playing XI on Tuesday, albeit that will not be at the cost of winning.
Sri Lankan skipper, Dinesh Chandimal, manages a smile. Says that they had a much better game today. Details that after losing a couple of quick wickets, the middle order batted really well. Stresses that 273 was a winning total and had they got a full game, they would have won the match. But does not want to rue about the weather and looks at the positives from the game. On the no ball call which gave Joe Root a reprieve, the captain admits that it was his mistake. On being asked whether the tactic to bowl Malinga and de Silva before the rain came was the right tactic, Chandimal says he certainly believed so as the latter was bowling well.
The Lankan bowlers still had a chance when they had Joe Root caught at short fine leg but it was a no ball as one fielder was less inside the ring. The score read 112 at that time, in the 23rd over. You never know what might have happened to the par score then. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
It was a game where we saw a much improved performance from the hosts. Gritty batting, accompanied by 4 50-plus stands, saw them reach 273. England were in a spot of bother after losing two quick stands following a great start, but the unbeaten 56-run stand between Root and Morgan steadied the game. They played it perfectly, knowing well what was the DLS par score and accordingly mixed caution with aggression.
1638 local (1108 GMT) - THE FOURTH ODI HAS BEEN CALLED OFF. England have won the match by 18 runs, courtesy DLS method. Cannot totally say that they would not have chased down 274, but still, the Lankans did have a greater chance in a full game.
They have arrived. As promised, they might be a little late but have surely come. Plenty of dark clouds around but the rain is not that heavy. We hope it is a passing shower. The DLS par score after 27 overs is 114.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Morgan not helping Sri Lanka's cause. Picks up the length early and pulls this short ball over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Tossed up on middle and leg, hit to mid on.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Comes ahead and hits this past mid on. One run taken.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Full and on leg, hit to mid on.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Pitches this one up outside off, carved through cover-point for nothing.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Another snorter from Malinga. Makes Morgan rock back and sway away.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Short ball outside off, Morgan sways away.
Lasith Malinga to Joe Root. Full and outside off, flicked through mid-wicket for one more.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Back of a length ball outside off, Morgan hops a touch and punches it to covers. They pick up a run to complete their 50-run stand.
Lasith Malinga to Joe Root. Low full toss down leg, flicked to deep square leg for one.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Root has swept that one through the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, driven to mid off for one more.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Full on middle and leg, hit to long on to rotate strike.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Slower ball on the leg stump, tucked away around the corner for a single.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Darts this on the legs of Root who clips it to the on side for one.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Full and outside off, guided to short third man.
Lasith Malinga to Joe Root. It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single.
Lasith Malinga to Joe Root. Back of a length ball around off, Joe defends it from within the crease.
Lasith Malinga to Joe Root. Slow length ball in line of the stumps, Root plays it with a straight bat.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. Full and down leg, Morgan works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Lasith Malinga to Eoin Morgan. The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper.
Lasith Malinga to Joe Root. Length ball on the pads of Root who helps it to the on side for one.
Lasith Malinga is in for another spell.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Full and down leg, worked to square leg for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Outside off, punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Full outside off again, driven past mid off for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. No damage done. Full and on off, Root hits it back to the bowler.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. OUT! No, wait! The umpire has signaled a no ball. Not for height or overstepping but for the field set. SL had just 4 fielders inside the circle instead of the mandatory 5. Dhananjaya dishes out a full toss down leg, Root gets low to sweep the ball but gets a top edge which goes to Malinga at short fine leg. He takes the catch but it is a no ball. Great spot by the square leg umpire. Free Hit coming up.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Driven through the covers by the batsman.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Full and on middle and off, Morgan comes forward and gently pushes it to covers. Thinks of the run but is rightly sent back.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Tossed up around off, tapped to to the off side.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Full on middle and leg, Root milks it through mid on for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Flighted one on off, driven past covers for a single.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Pitched up on off, Root pushes it to covers.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Full and don leg, Morgan uses his wrists and works it for one.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Given air outside off, driven to covers.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Eoin Morgan. Tosses this one up on middle and off, driven through mid off for a run.
Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root. Low full toss on leg, hit hard to cow corner for just one.
Dhananjaya de Silva introduced as really dark clouds come hovering. We have a game constituted now, given that 20 overs are done. The ground staff is getting ready for the covers as well. Par score is 93 for England.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! That is a long hop, Morgan rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary!
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Full on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. The wrong 'un, I think, punched towards long on for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Very full, Root comes forward and across and flicks it through square leg for a couple.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Full and around off, driven towards long off for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Full toss on middle, pushed towards long on for one. 10 from the over, Aponso's figures read 6-0-37-0.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. SIX! Morgan gets it over the boundary but not quite sure whether he hit this cleanly. Floated outside off, the skipper danced down the track and looked to go big but had to reach out with the ball spinning away. Miscued his shot but cleared long off.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. On middle, helped towards mid-wicket for a run.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pressed towards point.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed back to the bowler.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root brings out his reverse scoop now. Gets it over the keeper towards third man. Two runs taken.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Outside off, tapped towards point for one.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, punched down to long off for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Terrific shot. This was pitched outside leg but Morgan used his reach and got it past a diving backward point for a boundary. The stand is worth 10 from 11 balls. 188 more needed from 195 balls.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Around off, watchfully defended.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
DRINKS BREAK. Interesting tussle. Akila Dananjaya has sprung the game to life. However, the Lankans will have a task against these hard-hitting batsmen.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Driven through the covers by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Pushed through the covers for one.
Amila Aponso to Eoin Morgan. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Amila Aponso to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed towards long off for a single.
Amila Aponso is back on. 4-0-22-0 so far.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, driven straight back. 2 runs and a wicket from the over. Akila's figures read 4-0-10-2.
Akila Dananjaya to Eoin Morgan. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Skipper Eoin Morgan arrives. So do the clouds. They look very threatening.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. OUT! That is a brilliant review and Roy is gone LBW! The off spinner got rid of Hales. The leg spinner gets rid of his partner. Pitched in the line of the stumps, Roy goes back to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The Lankans roar an appeal as the batsmen take a single. The umpire does not give it out and Chandimal takes the review after a chat with his bowler and keeper. Hawk Eye shows it to be pitched in line and hitting the stumps! Roy is gone! Is this the break Sri Lanka needed?
Is that gone? The Lankans are confident that Roy is a goner. They have taken a review for an LBW call. Looks close.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Very full, around leg, Root gets down and sweeps it towards fine leg for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Around off, pressed towards short mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full and around off, Roy looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards point.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Driven through mid off by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Short and outside off, Joe looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Full and outside off, Jason plays a lovely drive but finds mid off. Just a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Around off, defended back to the bowler.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Roy flicks it uppishly through square leg for a boundary!
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Around off, defended to the leg side.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full and around off, Roy gets down and sweeps it through square leg for one.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Tossed up on middle, Root goes back and helps it through square leg for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full on middle, clipped towards mid-wicket for a run.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. A short ball on middle, helped through mid-wicket for a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root plays a loose drive and is beaten.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Tight call. Full and around off, Roy walks down the track and pushes it towards mid on. Takes Thisara Perera on and completes the run.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. The batsman has played it to the point region for a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Full and down the leg side, tickled towards fine leg for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Outside off, punched towards cover.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. WIDE. Down the leg side, Jason misses his flick.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Outside off, punched towards short mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. Full and outside off, Roy reaches out to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is a half shout for an LBW but then it dies down. Chandimal asks about the review but both, the keeper and bowler are unsure. Perhaps too high.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Was there a nick? Short and outside off, Root looks to cut but perhaps misses.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Full and on off, pushed towards short mid-wicket.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Punches this through point for a run.
Kasun Rajitha to Joe Root. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
Powerplay 2 has been signalled. 4 fielders can now stand outside the circle till the 40th over.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Full and on middle and leg, flicked to mid-wicket.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Played to mid-wicket region by JR.
Akila Dananjaya to Jason Roy. The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Gets it through that fielder this time. Root flicks it wide of mid-wicket to get off the mark.
Akila Dananjaya to Joe Root. Off spinner on off, played to mid-wicket with the turn.
Joe Root is in at no. 3.
Akila Dananjaya to Alex Hales. OUT! At first it looked liked Hales had something behind the line but not to be. Akila strikes on his very first ball. Off spinner outside off, Hales comes ahead to drive this but gets beaten. Dickwella removes the bails in a flash and puts out a loud appeal. The umpires take it up and find that Hales is just short. Alex fails to make it big coming into the side.
Akila Dananjaya to roll his arm. Hello? Has he got Hales first ball? A stumping appeal has been referred upstairs...
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. FOUR! Excellent punch. Back of a length outside off, Roy stays still and just pushes the ball through covers for a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up with this.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Nicely done. Full and on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for another couple of runs.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Length outside off, guided to short third man.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Full and down leg side again, Roy flicks it through square leg for a brace.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Full on the pads, flicked away to square leg.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Roy looks to flick it through mid-wicket but Dasun does well to stop that with his right hand.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. Dot ball.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Slower ball around off. A wild swing from Roy who gets it off his inner half towards mid-wicket. Sadeera there has a shy but cannot hit the stumps.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Full and on off, cut to point.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Much slower this outside leg, flicked through square leg for a run.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Short ball spins into Hales who gives room and cuts it to the man at covers.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Similar line outside off, Roy blocks it out.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. FOUR! SWEET! Back of a length ball on off, hit back along the turf through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. 134 kph down leg, Roy's bottom hand comes off as he hits it to mid on.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Length ball coming into Roy who hits it to mid on.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Wide. Strays down leg, too wide for Roy to make any contact.
Kasun Rajitha to Jason Roy. Comes in from over the wicket and lands it on the off pole, Roy guides it to cover-point.
Kasun Rajitha is into the attack.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Another run through that region. Flicked away wide of mid-wicket for one more.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Tossed up ball around off, milked through mid on for one.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Hales has played it to the point region.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Yorker on middle and off, hit to mid on.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. SIX! Even bigger and better. Similar ball, no spin, Roy extends his arms and even his mishit travels well over the long off ropes.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. FOUR! Shot! Stand and deliver stuff. Pitched up ball on off, Roy lofts it over mid off for a one-bounce boundary.
Lasith Malinga to Alex Hales. Back of a length ball outside off, played to cover-point.
Lasith Malinga to Alex Hales. FOUR! Wide outside off, don't bowl there. Hales stays back and cuts it past point for a boundary.
Lasith Malinga to Alex Hales. Off cutter. A dipping yorker on off, Hales does well to get bat on ball.
Lasith Malinga to Alex Hales. Full and down leg, flicked to square leg.
Lasith Malinga to Alex Hales. Pitched up on middle and leg, hit to mid on.
Lasith Malinga to Alex Hales. Back of a length ball outside off, defended off the back foot.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. No, he can't. Still a very good over but. Bowls this full on leg, flicked through square leg for one.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. Can he bowl a maiden?
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Off spinner on off, Hales gets an inside edge towards the slip. 4 dots ball in a row.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Loopy ball around off, driven to covers once again.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Darts this around off, driven to covers by Hales.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Slower ball in line of the stumps, bunted down by Hales.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Good over from Malinga. Just one off it. Length on off, driven to covers.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Wide. Errs down leg as Roy misses his flick. The umpire has signalled a wide.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Similar line, this time around off, Roy hits it back to the bowler.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Back of a length again on middle and leg, hit to the man at mid-wicket.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, turned to mid-wicket.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Length outside off, punched off the back foot.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Good save! Length outside off, driven to covers. A good save from Sadeera there.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. FOUR! Beautiful. Didn't try to hit it hard, just a gentle push and gets four for it. Pitched up ball outside off, punched through covers for a delightful boundary.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Pushed to the cover region by AH.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Given air in line of the stumps, Hales plays it with a straight bat.
Amila Aponso to Jason Roy. Tossed up ball on middle and leg, hit towards mid on for another run.
Amila Aponso to Alex Hales. Full and on off, milked through mid on. They cross.
Amila Aponso will bowl from the other end.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Jason has played that off the front foot and into the ground. End of an eventful over. 12 off it.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. FOUR! Best of the lot. A lose ball outside off, Rot stands tall and punches it through cover-point. Boundary.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. FOUR BYES AGAIN! Second one in two balls. If the before one kept low this one just takes off. Length outside off, Roy goes for the drive but cannot make contact. Dickwella cannot gather it and the ball runs to the third man ropes.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. FOUR BYES! Back of a length ball outside off, it kept low. Goes under the bat of Roy, even Dickwella fails to collect it and the ball races away to the fence at third man.
Lasith Malinga to Jason Roy. Starts off bowling a length ball in line of the stumps, Roy stays inside and taps it to the off side.
Surprise, surprise! It is afternoon time in Pallekele but no thunderstorms. We have a match on our hands! Yippeee! Jason Roy and Alex Hales are the openers for England while Lasith Malinga has the first new ball in his hand. Roy to face. Here we go!!!