Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning upset in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, defeating defending champions England by 8 wickets in Bengaluru. It was a complete performance from the Lions, who bowled out England for 156 and then chased down the target with ease. Angelo Mathews and Kasun Rajitha were the stars of the show for Sri Lanka, taking 2 wickets each. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka also played key roles, scoring half-centuries each in the chase.
Sri Lanka Bowling Masterclass
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were in top form from the start, and they never let England get into any kind of rhythm. Lahiru Kumara struck early to remove Dawid Malan, and then Angelo Mathews dismissed Joe Root in the next over. England captain Jos Buttler tried to steady the ship, but he was eventually caught behind off Kasun Rajitha.
Sri Lanka continued to take wickets at regular intervals, and they eventually bowled out England for 156 in the 40th over. It was the lowest total that England had been bowled out for in a World Cup match since 1992.
Sri Lanka Chase Down the Target with Ease
Sri Lanka’s openers, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, got them off to a flying start in the chase. They put on a 90-run partnership for the first wicket, which was broken by Ben Stokes. However, Mendis and Nissanka had already laid the foundation for a comfortable victory.
Mendis was eventually dismissed for 61, but Nissanka carried on to score 74 and see his team home. He was ably supported by Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 34 not out. Sri Lanka reached the target in the 30th over, and they won the match by 8 wickets.
Key Moments in the Match
- Lahiru Kumara removes Dawid Malan in the first over.
- Angelo Mathews dismisses Joe Root in the next over.
- Jos Buttler is caught behind off Kasun Rajitha.
- Sri Lanka bowled out England for 156 in the 40th over.
- Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka put on a 90-run partnership for the first wicket.
- Nissanka scores 74 to lead Sri Lanka to a comfortable victory.
Impact of the Result
This victory was a huge boost for Sri Lanka’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup. They now have 8 points from 5 matches, and they are in second place in Group B. England, on the other hand, has suffered a major setback. They have only 3 points from 5 matches, and they are now in danger of missing out on the semi-finals.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s victory over England was a sensational performance. They bowled out the defending champions for a low score and then chased down the target with ease. It was a complete team effort from Sri Lanka, and they deserve all the credit for their victory.
England’s Plight
England’s performance in the World Cup so far has been disappointing. They have lost four of their five matches, and they are now in danger of missing out on the semi-finals. Their batting has been their main concern, as they have failed to score big totals on a consistent basis. Their bowling has also been inconsistent, and they have been unable to take wickets at regular intervals.
England need to turn things around quickly if they want to stay in the race for the semi-finals. They have a tough match coming up against South Africa, and they will need to put in a much-improved performance if they want to win.
England, on the other hand, are in serious trouble. They need to win their remaining four matches if they want to qualify for the knockout stages. However, with their current form, that looks like a very difficult task.
Overall, Sri Lanka’s victory over England was a great day for cricket. It showed that any team can beat any other team on any given day.