Cricket World Cup 2019: England at the end of unfortunate record after defeat against Sri Lanka

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 00:07 24/06/2019
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  • Hosts and initial 2019 World Cup England suffered their second defeat of the tournament after they failed to deal with Lasith Malinga’s toe-crushers. With this setback, England find themselves at the end of an unwanted record involving Sri Lanka, the World Cup and 21st century.

    In all four World Cup meetings between the two teams post 2000 (2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019), Sri Lanka have emerged victorious. Given the form of both teams before they clashed at Leeds, England were deemed favourites to win the game and break the jinx.

    But a sensational bowling effort from the Lankan lions earned them two vital points and brought some life to the World Cup table.

    Sri Lanka defending a low total at Leeds was reminiscent of their win during the encounter between the two teams in the Super Eights in the 2007 World Cup.

    Asked to bat first, Mahela Jayawardene’s team managed a meagre 235 runs before they were bowled out. A collective bowling effort led by Dilhara Fernando powered Sri Lanka to an unlikely win.

    The quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup also saw a low-scoring fixture between the two teams. England put 229 runs on the board in their quota of 50 overs and the eventual runners-up chased it down without losing a single wicket.

    The same fixture was not kind to Eoin Morgan’s men in the 2015 World Cup either. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, England set a competitive target of 210 for the Lankans. Centuries from Lahiru Thirmanne and Kumar Sangakkara provided Sri Lanka a huge win in the group stage game.

    Malinga’s 4/43 on Friday helped Sri Lanka maintain the 100 per cent record in World Cup game in the 21st century. The 35-year-old produced a splendid display to help his team defend an underwhelming total of 232.

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