Dinesh Chandimal’s Century Pilots Sri Lanka to a 6 Wicket Win
Dinesh Chandimal sealed the match for Sri Lanka, but caused a few nerves on the visitors' balcony © Getty Images
Sri Lanka defeated England in the 3rd ODI in the ‘NatWest five match ODI series’ match by six wickets with 10 balls to spare on Sunday at Lords, the Home of Cricket. In reply to England’s 246 for 7 wickets in their 50 overs, Sri Lanka made 249 for 4 wickets taking a 2-1 lead in the 5 match ODI series.
Alastair Cook won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on a typical Lords surface in sunny conditions. Both teams retained the respective X1’s for this game who played in the 2nd ODI. The top order of England failed against the pace of ‘slinger’ Malinger and Lankmal.Kulasekera the other pace bowler was erratic and was not his usual self.
Craig Kieswetter,Jonathan Trott and Eion Morgan all fell cheaply for 3.2 and 4 runs, each having faced 13 balls. When Trott was dismissed England was 2 for 30 in the 10th over. Pietersen joined his skipper Cook and the pair accelerated the score ,Pietersen batted in his usual flamboyant fashion to bring the total to 79 having added 49 runs with Cook, He was dismissed for 41 made in 43 balls with 6 fours. In an over from Lakmal he hit 3 fours in successive balls. In the 22 over Morgan was dismissed cheaply with the score on 85.Cook batted resolutely while wickets fell at the opposite end. He was joined by Ian bell and the pair added 72 runs in 15 overs before Bell succumbed for 30 made in 46 balls when the score was 157.Cook made in 50 off 69 balls with 6 fours.
Tim Bresnan joined Cook to and the pair batted confidently, adding 75 useful runs for the 6th wicket in 12 overs.Cook made his 100, in 127 balls with 11 fours. It was his 2nd ODI century and his first as England ODI captain .He batted almost the entire 50 overs and was dismissed for 119 runs made in 143 balls. He gave one life, when Mahela dropped him at slips on 15.England made 246 for 7 wickets, was about 40 runs short of a winning total. Jeevan Mendis,the leg spinner was the most successful bowler having figures of 2 for 40 in 10 overs, while Malinga and Lakmal had figures of 2 for 54 and 2 for 62 in their 10 overs.
Sri Lanka commenced their innings chasing 249,which looked to be an easy target. Dilshan was deceived by Bresnan and was clean bowled for just 3 runs in the 4th over .Mahela was joined by Dinesh Chandimal playing only in his 6th ODI .The pair batted aggressively, scoring runs freely on both sides of the wicket, penetrating the fielders to reach the fence easily. Sri Lanka’s 50, was posted in 8.4 overs and the 50 for the second wicket was made in 45 balls. The pair cruised along under perfect batting conditions with Mahela continuing from where he left in the 2nd ODI on Friday. Young Chandimal too matched stroke for stroke and played an equally stylish inning, often hoisting the ball over the infield to reach the fence .Mahela was dismissed for 79 compiled in 77 balls with 9 fours after adding 112 runs in 19.2 overs .Sangakkara joined Chandimal and added a further 61 runs for the 3rd wicket before Sangakkara became Swann’s first victim for 25 runs made in 47 balls with 2 fours. Sri Lanka at that time was 3 for 194 and was cruising towards the target. Kandamby was dismissed cheaply for 11 to make Sri Lanka 4 for 230 made in the 43rd over.Chandimal was in the mid 80’s when Mathews joined him. Mathews refrained from scoring allowing Chandimal to score his maiden ton at Lords. It was very nice gesture by Mathews, but there was panic in the Sri Lanka balcony as they were more interested in winning than Chandimal reaching his century. However Chandimal stepped out to Bresnan and hoisted him over long when on 94 to reach his 2nd ODI hundred and his first at Lords. When Srl Lanka reached the target they were 249 for 4 wickets Chandimal was unbeaten on 105 runs made in 126 balls having hit 11 fours and 2 sixes. Mathews was unbeaten on 1 having faced 21 balls. Swann was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 32 in 10 overs. Dinesh Chandimal for his magnificent unbeaten 100 was named ’Man of the Match’.
CHIEF SCORES: ENGLAND 246/7 wickets in 50 overs ( Cook 119,pietersen 41 Bell 30,Jeevan Mendis 2/40,Lasith Malinga 2/54,Suranga Lakmal 2/62) SRI LANKA 249/4 in 48.2 overs ( Dinesh Chandimal 105*Mahela Jayawardena 79 ,Swan 2/32)
By Sunil Thenabadu (SLPL) © SLPLT20.Co
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