Joe Root 121 invain as unbeaten Thirimanne 139 Sangakkara 117, Sri Lanka win by 9 wickets!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22nd Match, Pool A England V Sri Lanka, played at Westpac Stadium, Wellington

England 309/6 (50 ov) Root 121, Bell 49, Dilshan 35-1, Herath 35-1

Sri Lanka 312-1 Thirimanne 139 not out, Kumar Sangakkara 117 not out,

Sri Lanka win by nine wickets

Thirimanne finished unbeaten on 139 , from 143 balls with 13 fours and two sixes and Sangakkara on 117 from 86 balls with 11 fours and two sixes, his 23rd century, the pair adding 212 for the second wicket. Thirimanne hit Chris Woakes for six over wide long-on for the winning runs.

Lahiru Thirimanne, missed when on seven by Jos Buttler’s indecision and again on 98 when Moeen Ali made a hash of a simple chance at extra cover, while Kumar Sangakkara, a master of short ball counter attack, scored at will to another century– from only 70 balls his fastest, and his second in a week.

The England seam bowlers were powerless, lacking the speed or astuteness to compensate for the absence of the swing on an excellent pitch to play pace. Several bad balls were put away with complete liberty. Besides the two catches, the first off Broad and the second Anderson, run outs were missed.

Earlier, Yorkshire’s Root, wallops over long-on for six, and two deliveries later guides the ball wide of all fielders to point for four to reach 100 off his 100th delivery. The ball just clipping leg stump, and Root 121 off 108 balls, was given LBW to Herath signalled the end of an excellent innings from Root. Root at 3 edges to first slip! Jayawardene didn’t hold it, low – very low – to his left.