Sri Lanka’s Reset
Sri Lanka has taken a decisive step toward reshaping its political and economic trajectory.
England pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer hunted in pair to restrict Sri Lanka to 232 for 9 in their stipulated quota of 50 overs at the Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds on Friday. Both the pacers picked three wickets each. While Archer gave away 52 runs in his 10 overs, Wood bowled 8 and conceded 40 runs. For Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews top-scored with an unbeaten 85 off 115 balls. Mathews’ gritty knock was laced with 5 boundaries and a six.
Winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne opted to bat first.
With England’s bowlers on fire since the beginning of the innings, Sri Lanka never really got going. They lost their first wicket in the second over of the innings, bowled by Archer. Karunaratne (1) edged a delivery that was bowled in the channel but moved away from him.
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Chris Woakes then sent Kusal Perera (2) back to the hut in the next over and Sri Lanka found themselves 3 for 2. Sri Lanka then managed to not lose any more wickets in the first 10 overs with Avishka Fernando (49) giving his side some spark. Fernando hit six fours and two sixes before a loose shot off Wood in the 13th over went straight to Adil Rashid at third man and he had to walk back to the pavilion.
Angelo Mathews (85) and Kusal Mendis (46) then stitched a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, Adil Rashid then got a twin strike, dismissing Kusal and Jeevan Mendis (0) off consecutive balls and Sri Lanka found themselves stranded at 133/5 at the 30-over mark.
Mathews then got some steady assistance from Dhananjaya de Silva (29) which ensured that Sri Lanka crossed the 200-run mark. Archer and Wood then rattled the Sri Lankan tail to restrict the Lankans to a low score.
Brief score: Sri Lanka: 232 for 9 in 50 overs (Angelo Mathews 85, Avishka Fernando 49; Mark Wood 3/40) vs England
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