England put on a wonderful bowling performance in their first match of the Super Eights against Sri Lanka in Pallekele to get off the mark. England were considered the underdogs before this game but they have come back with the goods to get a comfortable win.
Sri Lanka Strike Early After Opting to Bowl
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first. They did a stupendous job at the start as they got rid of Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell quickly. It was an unusual knock from Buttler as he struggled to put bat on ball and was finally dismissed for 7 off 14 balls. Tom Banton too did not last long as he was run out. Nobody from England apart from Phil Salt got going. Salt, who batted through the Powerplay for the first time this tournament, played a crucial knock of 62 in just 40 balls to add some respectability to the total. A vital contribution of 21 from 14 balls from Will Jacks helped England post 146 in their 20 overs. For Sri Lanka, Dunith Wellalage was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three wickets for just 26 runs. Theekshana finished with 2 wickets while Dilshan Madushanka also finished with two.
Jofra Archer, Will Jacks Trigger Sri Lanka Collapse
In reply, England were brilliant with the ball. Jofra Archer started it by picking up Pathum Nissanka early. The decision to bowl Will Jacks early paid dividends as he sent back Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake off successive deliveries to peg the hosts back. Archer struck again to send back Kamil Mishara, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 22 for 4. Dunith Wellalage tried to counter attack but was sent back by Jacks for 10. Kamindu Mendis did not last long as he was also dismissed by Liam Dawson. England continued to pick up regular wickets and folded Sri Lanka for 95. Will Jacks was the pick, as he picked up three wickets while Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson finished with 2 each.
Sri Lanka’s batting was miserable to say the least as they tried to attack from ball one without reading the pitch. They kept on losing wickets and no one tried to stay on the pitch, except Dasun Shanaka who scored a fighting 30. His knock was good but the hosts needed more. In the end, England won by 51 runs and got their Super Eight off to a great start.
