Sri Lanka`s thrilling 2-run win over England
05 April, 2007
NORTH SOUND, Antigua: Sri Lanka recorded a sensational two runs victory over England in a thrilling finish in their Super Eights World Cup match here at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
They fought bravely throughout the match to emerge victorious in the end as pacer Dilhara Fernando got danger-man Ravindra Bhopara out clean bowled on the final ball of the match when England needed just three runs to win. Fernando claimed three wickets for 40 runs while Lasith Malinga got two for 50.
However, the man-of-the-match award went to Bhopara who batted remarkably well to steer England to very close to victory. He made 52 from 53 balls and was associated with wicket-keeper Paul Nixon in a 87-run seventh wicket partnership. Nixon scored 42 off 44 balls with two fours and one six.
Besides, Kevin Pietersen (58) and Ian Bell (47) also made significant contributions. They came to rescue England from a disastrous start at 11 for two wickets and added 90 runs for third wicket stand.
Earlier, England’s captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat. His team through fine bowling performances by seamers Sajid Mahmood and Andrew Flintoff and splendid fielding restricted Sri Lankan batsmen to play their natural strokes.
However, Sri Lanka managed to score a modest total of 235 with the help of half-centuries from opener Upul Tharanga and captain Mahela Jayawardene.
Tharanga top scored with 62 but he had to play 103 balls and hit only two boundaries. Contrary to this Jayawardene made 56 off 61 balls with four fours.
Other contributors were veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya (25 from 26 balls with four fours and a six), Chamara Silva (23 off 37) and Russel Arnold (20 off 22 balls).
From England, Sajid Mahmood captured four wickets for 50 runs and Andrew Flintoff grabbed three for 35.
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