Sri Lanka hit back magically as the old duo of Jayawardene and Sangakkara really showed off there class. It was admittedly an the flattest wicket in England which England won the toss and surprisingly choose to bowl. Maybe they had memories of 4 years ago where Sri Lanka chased down an score of 320 odd in under 40 overs. England went in unchanged while Sri Lanka put Chandimal in for the now retired Jayasuriya.
The decision seem to have paid off as England bowled an real tight and discipline line to the Sri Lankan openers who were Dilshan and Jayawardene. The pressure built and it forced Sri Lanka to go for risky singles which eventually paid off for the fielding team as Dilshan's patient ran out and ran himself out. It brought out the exciting young prospect Chandimal only 21 years old but we were not able to see the best of him as he was run out as well as he went for an even more risky run which was never on and was out for 5. Sri Lanka were in trouble they were 46-2 after the first powerplay. This brought the experienced duo to the crease Sangakkara and the already in Jayawardene. They knew it was an really flat wicket and had to just get through the opening stages and after the second powerplay only 62-2 after 15.
But these 2 started to build an partnership. They were able to nudge and hit the ball at the start for 1s and 2s and wait for the bad ball instead of chasing it and were prepared to wait. There was the odd ball which went past and even though they have batted so many times together and are the best of friends the calling was an bit dodgy at times but they were able to build an partnership. As they stayed in the pitch got easier to bat on and the runs were able to come quicker. The first 50 came by in 72 balls and by drinks Sri Lanka were in an much more healthier position at 74-2 after 17 overs. Only going at just around 4 and half per over but were building the foundations for the later overs. Soon after the drinks break Jayawardene to an classy fit off 68 balls with 6 fours. That was followed by an 50 partnership between the 2 which was done in 71 balls. It was small targets which these 2 batsman were playing on to try and reach to build this important partnership because England knew breaking this partnership and the middle order players would feel the pressure. By the time Sri Lanka got to 100 the rate was already creeping up slowly but surely as it was done by the start of the 22nd over.
The partnership grew but England discipline was strong and they kept bowling to there plans and didnt give the pair any chance to hit straight. But the class of the them were so strong that they were comfortable to hit around the whole field. The class was evident to see as they were putting on an master class as they eased to the 100 partnership in just 124 balls and the worry for England is the pace of rate climbing too fast. Sri Lanka knew they had to score of around 300 because the pitch is flat and they were defiantly on when they made 150 in just over 30 overs going at an pace of just under 5 an over. Sangakkara had also reached his milestone as he made 50 off 63 good rate to go at hitting 5 fours. It was an true example of how you can score fast without hitting the boundary. They also reached an 100 partnership in that time and were at the second drinks break 178-2 in 35 overs. Jayawardene then got to an super century off 118 balls getting only 8 fours but was supered in moving the ball around and rotating the strike and getting 1s and 2s and even 3s to get to an masterful century. Foundations laid and then the assault by the 2 men as they started to go for boundaries as they looked to push the score along nicely. The urgency was evident for everyone to see as they made 200 in an couple of overs later.
England desperately needed an wicket and they turned to there main man Swann who was able to educe Sangakkara forward to hit down the ground he put an little more flight into the ball and Sangakkara missed the ball and Kieswetter stumped him. Sangakkara hit an super innings coming to an end 69 off 85 balls with 5 fours. It brought out Mathews to the crease. They let Mathews an few overs to get use to the pitch and the conditions but as it was an super batting pitch it didnt take Mathews that long to get use to the conditions and after 40 overs Sri Lanka decided to take the bating powerplay. It was an super powerplay for Sri Lanka as they scored 59 runs in the 5 overs as they were back on track to get 300 and to illustrate how fast these 2 were batting they made an 50 partnership in 32 balls. The partnership did go on for 67 when the brilliant innings by Jayawardene came to an end as Swann did an similar ball to Sangakkara and Jayawardene went for it and also missed which left Kieswetter and easy stumping to get to 276-4. Jayawardene made an super 144 his highest England. Kulasekara and Mathews continued the work that Sangakkara and Jayawardene had worked to build the foundations for these batsman as they raced to 300 just before they made 300 Kulasekara was out. In the final over Sri Lanka did go to 300 and in the ball before last and 300 Mendis scored an 6 and Sri Lanka ended with 309-5.
England knew they had to get on with an positive start as England have never chased down an score of 310 before and it was an good start as Kieswetter and Cook got them to an solid start. The partnership looked good as Kieswetter was being aggressive while Cook was being Solid and kept the score ticking. By the end of the first powerplay England were 52-0 as they looked to chase down this big target for England and for Kieswetter it was an disappointing end as he went for an pull and was caught for 25. This brought out Trott and for a lot of people they think Trott and Cook cannot bat together as it would slow down England especially in big targets like this. To an certain extent they were right as Trott and Cook were not able to push the rate forward quickly enough and the required rate creeping up. Cook seemed to have been going towards an 50 but going for an big shot against Randiv he was caught on the boundary edge by Mathews. Pietersen was soon gone as he went out for 13 and England were in trouble at 113-3 as Morgan came out to bat. Morgan trying to pick up the pace but Trott on the other end wasnt really picking the pace and all the fear that the media had and experts seemed to be playing out and maybe when Lakmal bowled an really good Yorker which bowled Trott which may have been better for England as the rate was rushing up and the inform Bell came in.
Morgan and Bell tried there best as they upped the rate and gave there all as England seemed to be falling to defeat. They did an good job getting to drinks at 184-4 after 34 overs. But the whole hopes of England rested with Morgan. He did get to an well deserved 50 in quick time with 40 balls hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes. The partnership did get to 50 off 48 balls and there was a slim chase for England getting to 200-4 but hopes were dashes soon after making 200 as Morgan came down the pitch to Randiv Sangakkara did well to scramble the ball back and stump Morgan and t he hopes of England went with it. They did take the Batting powerplay but they needed Morgan and the wickets then feel quickly after that as England whimpered to 240 all out to loss by 69 runs.
This wasnt an impressive match by England but Sri Lanka were lead by there former captain Jayawardene superbly getting 144 as he won Man Of The Match. England questions will be can Trott and Cook play together and if they do play together will England change the battling line up depending on who is in. The next match will be at the home of cricket Lords and it will be another day match.
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