Feature

Sri Lanka hamstrung by Roy's roving run-out

Plays of the day from the second ODI of the series between England and Sri Lanka

Jason Roy pulled off a stunning run out  •  Getty Images

Jason Roy pulled off a stunning run out  •  Getty Images

The hamstring - part one
Plenty of eyes were fixed on Angelo Mathews before the game, as he completed a series of sprints, shuttle runs and stretches to test his stiff hamstring. While he didn't appear to be running at full speed, Mathews was declared fit to play but not to bowl. A subsequent quick team shuffle saw off-spinner Suraj Randiv come into the side in place of Dasun Shanaka and although Mathews' contribution with the bat - he made 44 runs from 54 deliveries - was welcome, he was sorely missed in the Sri Lankan attack, which had little - if any - bite.
The hamstring - part two
As if Sri Lanka didn't have enough injury problems the hamstring sniper was at it again, this time striking Dinesh Chandimal while he was batting. Chandimal required treatment on the field but was able to play on until he was run out on 52. The twinge caused the wicketkeeper enough discomfort, however, that Kusal Perera took up the gloves for the second innings. While Chandimal has hardly had an outstanding tour behind the stumps, Perera's keeping was somewhat untidy and Sri Lanka will now be sweating on more fitness tests before the third ODI in Bristol.
The run out
Speaking of Chandimal and Perera… the pair had put on thirty runs when Chandimal sliced David Willey to backward point and was called through for a single by Perera. As fast as the Sri Lankan scampered, it was not quick enough to beat the brilliance of Jason Roy, whose run, pick-up, spin and throw seemed to be one fluid motion. The direct hit left no one in doubt that Perera was short and - in what seems a rarity in televised matches - there was no need to consult the third umpire.
The drop
Sri Lanka's miserable day was summed up when Alex Hales slapped a short and wide Maharoof ball straight to point and the waiting hands of Danushka Gunathilaka, who promptly made a meal of what should have been a straightforward chance. It wouldn't have changed the result - England were 226 for 0 and cruising to an inevitable victory - but listening to the vocal Edgbaston crowd indulge their mirth can hardly have improved the Sri Lankans' mood.
The anxious moment
Roy was on 99, poised to make his second ODI century, when Seekkuge Prasanna banged one into the pads. Roy and Hales ran two leg byes while Prasanna desperately appealed to an immovable Bruce Oxenford. Sri Lanka called for the review and Roy had a nervous few seconds while the third umpire confirmed the ball would have missed leg stump. Roy wasted no more time; on the next delivery he charged down the wicket and pummelled Prasanna over the mid-on boundary and his roar of delight could almost be heard over the celebrations of the sold-out stadium.

Melinda Farrell is a presenter with ESPNcricinfo