Today in ICC Cricket World Cup it was the Match 27 between the tournament favorites England and Sri Lanka at Leeds. Sri Lanka won only one match in this tournament against Afghanistan and two matches were no result due to rain. While England lost only one match before this game and it was against Pakistan. Sri Lanka won the match by 20 runs. Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first.
1. Sri Lanka Poor Start
Sri Lanka started off poorly as both their openers got out inside 3 overs. Avishka Fernando along with Kusal Mendis steadied the innings with 59 runs partnership. Avishka was looking good but got out at third-man on 49.
Kusal along with Angelo Matthews put together 71 run partnership. Angelo Matthews struggled initially but remain unbeaten till the end to take Sri Lanka to a fighting total of 232/9 in 50 overs.
Angelo Matthews scored unbeaten 85 runs. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood were the picks of the bowlers for England who took 3 wickets each.
2. England Batting Struggles
The team which was looking favorites to win the tournament struggled against Lasith Malinga. The opener Johny Bairstow has gone for a golden duck. James Vince also did not do much and became the second scalp for Malinga. Joe Root scored another half-century in this tournament. But Lasith Malinga in his second spell got Joe Root and Jos Buttler which put England to the back seat.
Ben Stokes was holding one end but he was lack of partners. Ben Stokes remains not out on 82. Dhananjaya De Silva and Isuru Udana took three and two wickets respectively. Nuwan Pradeep took the last wicket of Mark Wood. England fall short by 20 runs.
3. Lasith Malinga – Man Of The Match
For his amazing performance of 10 overs 45 runs and 4 key wickets of Johny Bairstow, James Vince, Joe Root, and Jos Butler, Lasith Malina was undoubtedly the man of the match for Sri Lanka.
England will play their next match against Australia on June 25th at Lords. While Sri Lanka will play against South Africa on June 28 at Chester-le-Street. Tomorrow we have India play against Afghanistan on June 22 at Southampton, and New Zealand will take on West Indies at Manchester.
You can also watch the key moments from the World Cup matches. How much you know about the World Cup? Here are some amazing facts about the World Cup. Stay Tune with Entertales for the key moments of all the matches of the World Cup.
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