×

Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett scalp 3 wickets each as England restrict Sri Lanka to 248 for 9 in 3rd ODI at Bristol

Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis scored half-centuries each for Sri Lanka

Liam Plunkett continues his stellar performance © Getty Images
Liam Plunkett continues his stellar performance © Getty Images

Half centuries from Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and a quickfire 40 from Upul Tharanga helped Sri Lanka post 248 for 9 in their quota of 50 overs against England in the third ODI at Bristol. Having been put into bat, Sri Lanka went about the first 15 overs in slow fashion, after having lost two wickets. The half-centurion trio scored at a brisk pace since then, to help the visitors reach a formidable total. For England, Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes scalped 3-for’s each, with the other two fast bowlers scalping a wicket each. Full Cricket Scorecard: England vs Sri Lanka 2016, 3rd ODI at Bristol

Sri Lanka had a horrible start, with opener Danushka Gunathilaka bowled for one in the very first over. Since then, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis did well to weather the storm for a brief period. Mendis looked fluent and aggressive, but at the other end, Perera was struggling to get going. His stay at the crease wasn’t for too long, as he tried to up the ante of scoring by going for a big shot, but only succeeded in getting caught by Jos Buttler. With scores at 32 for 2, Chandimal came at the crease at No.4.

Chandimal and Mendis shared a good 56-run partnership, with the latter continuing to score at a good pace. But just when it seemed Sri Lanka are in the front foot, Mendis was caught at the leg side boundary by Hales for 53. Next to follow was skipper Angelo Mathews. Despite being half-fit having been suffering from an hamstring injury, he played brilliantly, and along with Chandimal, took Sri Lanka to 165 for 3 after 35 overs. But the visitors’ progress was to be hampered by two quick wickets, as Chandimal (62) and Seekkuge Prasanna (2) were removed in the space of one over.

Despite their dismissal, Mathews went along, and reached his half-century. He along with Upul Tharanga were scoring at a good pace. But just like the other half-centurions, Mathews failed to convert his fifty into a big score, getting dismissed for 56 of Jordan’s bowling. After him came Dasun Shanaka.

Soon, slight drizzle started to fall, but not enough to hamper the proceedings. From one end, Tharanga was playing aggressively and scoring quickly. But he didn’t get the necessary support, with Shanaka getting run out for two with five overs remaining. The wicket saw Sri Lanka’s tail exposed, with Farveez Maharoof next to come at the crease.

Thankfully for the visitors, Maharoof stood along with Tharanga almost till the end. While he did not do huge damage, he did form a 27-run partnership with Tharanga. He was removed for nine by Woakes, with seven balls left in the innings. The very next delivery, Tharanga was bowled for a well made 40.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 248 for 9 (Dinesh Chandimal 62, Angelo Mathews 56; Chris Woakes 3 for 34, Liam Plunkett 3 for 46) vs England

trending this week