What A Shambles!

Jayawardene
By Caroline
June 24 2006

A disappointing display by England as Sri Lanka lead the ODI's 3-0. England looked doomed from the start and with certain batsman on poor form and fielding in disarray England has been embarrassed from start to finish.

England won the toss and chose to bat with a good decision from One Day captain, Andrew Strauss. Both openers, Trescothick and Strauss got a partnership of 62 until Chaminda Vaas dismissed one after another in quick succession.

Pieterson came in to the attack though not feeling to good as his knee was still playing up after Tuesday at The Oval. He didn’t last long either. He fell to the floor in pain as he tried to whip through midwicket and got out the next over. All was not lost, as Bell would show England what he was made of getting a triumphant 77. Collingwood went soon after, who hit the ball directly to Tillakaratne Dilshan in the covers.

Dalrymple tried to salvage everything he could for England as they moved past the 200 yet he got out by moving across his crease and having his leg stump up-rooted as Malinga got him out. With 77 under his belt, Bell soon got run out after Maharoof threw the ball to Sangakkara who hit the stumps to send him packing.

Wicket Keeper Geraint Jones got 22 from 13 balls but Alex Loudon’s debut will be one he would like to forget as he didn’t even face a ball and got run out as he tried to run for 2.

Sri Lanka was chasing 261 but their openers Tharanga and Jayasuriya made sure they would win. Only two wickets fell in the whole innings as Sajid Mahmood ran out Jayasuriya having just coming into the attack.

In just the 13th over Sri Lanka had passed the 100th mark and were set for victory even though England had got Tharanga out which Strauss caught at fine leg.

Jayawardene was the hero of the day getting 126 and Sangakkara who got 58 both not out to see Sri Lanka win the series with two ODI’s to go.