Related News
England hits Sri Lanka in surprise win
Source: Agencies |
September 27, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
UNFANCIED England, fresh off a 1-6 home series defeat at the hands of Australia and without the injured Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, surprised Sri Lanka by six wickets to start the Champions Trophy on Friday.
Sri Lanka crushed South Africa on Tuesday to open the tournament, and its stunning follow-up defeat left Group B wide open.
England, Sri Lanka and South Africa have one win each, and New Zealand's still a threat. Only two teams proceed to the semifinals next week.
England's bowlers did an admirable job after captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and fielded at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Although Sri Lanka recovered to 212 all out in the 48th over, England was seldom flustered in its run chase and reached 213-4 in the 45th over.
"This is a fast-scoring ground and we had to keep sensible and not do anything too rash," Strauss said. "It was a sensible and professional chase."
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara complimented his side's fightback at the crease.
"To reach 212 was fantastic," he said. "We are probably firing on about 80 percent. We have a lot of homework to do before the next game. We played well ... but we need to be flexible."
The English overcame a bad start. Joe Denly played across a Nuwan Kulasekara ball to be trapped leg before wicket for five in the fourth over, while Strauss, on nine, pulled Kulasekara fiercely only to be well taken at short midwicket by Thilan Kandamby.
But three good partnerships followed.
Allrounder Paul Collingwood, who hit 46 off 51 balls including five fours and three sixes, added 63 for the third wicket with Owais Shah before he edged the ball onto his stumps off Lasith Malinga. Collingwood was named man of the match.
Shah contributed 44 off 74 balls, scoring slowly but steadily. After Collingwood's dismissal, Shah put on 76 in 15.2 overs for the fourth wicket with left-hander Eoin Morgan.
Morgan stayed until the target was reached. He finished 62 not out beside wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who was 28 not out. The pair added 55.
Kulasekara took 2-42, Angelo Mathews was the most economical with 26 conceded off eight overs, and Muttiah Muralitharan was pounded for 60 off his 10.
Earlier, half-centuries from Kandamby and Mathews helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total after slumping to 17-4.
Kandamby top-scored with 53 before being run out while Mathews chipped in with 52 as the pair combined for a sixth-wicket stand of 82.
Sri Lanka crushed South Africa on Tuesday to open the tournament, and its stunning follow-up defeat left Group B wide open.
England, Sri Lanka and South Africa have one win each, and New Zealand's still a threat. Only two teams proceed to the semifinals next week.
England's bowlers did an admirable job after captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and fielded at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Although Sri Lanka recovered to 212 all out in the 48th over, England was seldom flustered in its run chase and reached 213-4 in the 45th over.
"This is a fast-scoring ground and we had to keep sensible and not do anything too rash," Strauss said. "It was a sensible and professional chase."
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara complimented his side's fightback at the crease.
"To reach 212 was fantastic," he said. "We are probably firing on about 80 percent. We have a lot of homework to do before the next game. We played well ... but we need to be flexible."
The English overcame a bad start. Joe Denly played across a Nuwan Kulasekara ball to be trapped leg before wicket for five in the fourth over, while Strauss, on nine, pulled Kulasekara fiercely only to be well taken at short midwicket by Thilan Kandamby.
But three good partnerships followed.
Allrounder Paul Collingwood, who hit 46 off 51 balls including five fours and three sixes, added 63 for the third wicket with Owais Shah before he edged the ball onto his stumps off Lasith Malinga. Collingwood was named man of the match.
Shah contributed 44 off 74 balls, scoring slowly but steadily. After Collingwood's dismissal, Shah put on 76 in 15.2 overs for the fourth wicket with left-hander Eoin Morgan.
Morgan stayed until the target was reached. He finished 62 not out beside wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who was 28 not out. The pair added 55.
Kulasekara took 2-42, Angelo Mathews was the most economical with 26 conceded off eight overs, and Muttiah Muralitharan was pounded for 60 off his 10.
Earlier, half-centuries from Kandamby and Mathews helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total after slumping to 17-4.
Kandamby top-scored with 53 before being run out while Mathews chipped in with 52 as the pair combined for a sixth-wicket stand of 82.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
