Dilshan batters England with bat and ball
Published on: Thursday, December 18, 2014
COLOMBO: Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed a century and grabbed three wickets in his 300th one-day international as Sri Lanka whipped England by 87 runs in the seventh and final match in Colombo on Tuesday.Dilshan passed the 9,000-run mark in one-day cricket on his way to a stroke-filled 101 to lead the hosts to a commanding 302-6 after they elected to bat in the day-night match in Colombo.England were bowled out for 215 in 45.5 overs in reply after Dilshan's off-spin broke the tourists' back with the key wickets of Moeen Ali (0), Alex Hales (seven) and Eoin Morgan (four).
ADVERTISEMENT
Joe Root top-scored with 80 but skipper Alastair Cook (32) and Chris Woakes (34) were the only other batsmen to cross 30 in a disappointing batting display by the tourists on the slow pitch.The emphatic victory gave Sri Lanka the series 5-2 and left England searching for a winning formula ahead of the World Cup which opens in Australia and New Zealand on February 14.The veteran pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene could not have asked for a better parting gift in their last one-day international on home soil.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
ADVERTISEMENT
Jayawardene had hit 28 off 22 balls when he pulled a short ball from Harry Gurney to the long-leg fielder. Sangakkara offered a tame catch to mid-wicket off Ali after making 33. – AFP
