Takes 2-0 lead in ODI series against England:

Sri Lanka win by eight wickets

By Ranjan Anandappa

Mahela Jayawardene and his great mate Kumar Sangakkara were in concert when they were instrumental in beating England comprehensively by 8 wickets with sixty four deliveries still at their disposal adding 149 runs for the third wicket to send Sri Lanka two up in the seven ODI series at the R.Premadasa Stadium in a day game yesterday.

The celebrated SriLankan duo were able to accumulate runs at will on a slow turning wicket as the English spinners failed to make an impression except to the ball frequently being hit to the fence.

Sri Lanka in pursuit of 186 runs to win lost both openers Kusal Janith Perera for 9 and Dilshan for 26 with the score reading 37 in 7.4 overs. But the two most experienced batsmen in the side, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sanagkkara turned the flow of the game as the pair took the score from 2 for 37 to 186 for 2 adding an unbroken 149 run stand for the third wicket.

Jayawardene was unbeaten on 77 facing eighty balls with eight fours and a six while Sangakkara was 67 n.o facing ninety three deliveries and hitting eight fours.Earlier the Sri Lankan bowlers stuck to their job admirably to restrict England for 185 in 43 overs in the second One Day International which began after a delayed start at the R.Premamdasa Stadium ,Khettarama yesterday.

The Sri Lankan spinners in general created a big impact after Tillekeratne Dilshan who opened the bowling with skipper Mathews sent Moeen Ali early in his first over. With the early demise of Moeen Ali, England were always struggling amidst a steady Lankan spin attack. Ravi Bopara who struck a valiant top score of 51 facing 69 deliveries with a solitary four seemed to be the only Englishman to bat with any credit when he was eighth out..

The sun came out to dispel the gloom around half past ten and the game was set to start at 11.15 am. Two minutes of silence was observed prior to the commencement of the match in memory of the late Australian opener Philip Hughes.

The match was also dedicated to the late Australian who lost his life while being hit on the back of the head while playing in a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney grounds.

The match was reduced to 45 overs per side and England won the toss and elected to bat first, but soon found themselves in a tangle. Mathews changing his strategy opened the bowling with Dilshan who who struck immediately by bowling Moeen Ali who hit an electrifying 119 off 87 balls with eleven fours and five sixes in the first ODI

at the same venue three days ago. Ali going for an over-ambitious big hit in the fifth ball of Dilshan’s first over had his stumps rattled when he had scored only a couple of runs.With the early dismissal of Ali England were unable to maintain the same momentum which they did in the first game. Mathews, after bowling just two overs called up his ace leg spinner Rangana Herath to replace him and Herath answered his skipper’s call when he had Ian Bell going for a lofted drive and was caught by Thisara Perera at long on. With the introduction of the third spinner Ajantha Mendis England’s vulnerability against spin bowling was quite evident.

Mathews switched his spinners from one end to the other bringing himself and the other paceman Thisara Perera who accounted for Eoin Morgan when Lahiru Thirimanne took a low catch at cover point. Dammika Prasad who usually opens the attack was held back for Dilshan to share the new ball with Mathews and was brought after the completion of 30 overs. He was able to generate some pace when he bowled Butler for 7.

Besides a brief association between Joe Root and Ravi Bopara who added 42 runs for the fifth wicket, the rest of the English batsmen could not really establish themselves in any worthwhile partnerships. After Dilshan getting the early breakthrough with the wickets of Moeen Ali and Cook, Ajantha Mendis’ 3 for 33 and Dammika Prasad who was brought only in the 32nd over took 2 for 16 in four overs Sri Lanka was assured of victory.