Plunkett's ten-year half-century, and Hales' return to earth
Plays of the day from the third ODI of the series between England and Sri Lanka
Andrew McGlashan at Bristol
26-Jun-2016
Alex Hales suffered a first-ball duck, only 48 hours after sealing a record ten-wicket win • Getty Images
Half-century of the day
Liam Plunkett made his ODI debut nearly 11 years ago, against Pakistan in Lahore, so it's fair to say he has bided his time. When he struck with his second ball to remove Kusal Perera, top-edging a swing to the leg side, it took him to 50 ODI wickets in his 37th match. In terms of time, it has taken him 10 years and 199 days - but that isn't quite the longest for an England bowler: Graeme Swann, who played his first ODI in early 2000 before a seven-year gap, needed 10 years and 232 days. Meanwhile, Plunkett is enjoying a useful habit of striking early in a spell. At Edgbaston it was with his third delivery and when he returned for a second spell in Bristol he snaffled Kusal Mendis with his second delivery back.
Liam Plunkett made his ODI debut nearly 11 years ago, against Pakistan in Lahore, so it's fair to say he has bided his time. When he struck with his second ball to remove Kusal Perera, top-edging a swing to the leg side, it took him to 50 ODI wickets in his 37th match. In terms of time, it has taken him 10 years and 199 days - but that isn't quite the longest for an England bowler: Graeme Swann, who played his first ODI in early 2000 before a seven-year gap, needed 10 years and 232 days. Meanwhile, Plunkett is enjoying a useful habit of striking early in a spell. At Edgbaston it was with his third delivery and when he returned for a second spell in Bristol he snaffled Kusal Mendis with his second delivery back.
Unfulfilled partnership of the day
For the second game running, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal - or the hobbling twins as they could be known given their hamstring issues - steadied the Sri Lanka innings with a solid partnership. But, again, it ended short of three figures when Chandimal outside edged down to third man. The duo now have the most runs (1272) as a pairing without a century contribution.
For the second game running, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal - or the hobbling twins as they could be known given their hamstring issues - steadied the Sri Lanka innings with a solid partnership. But, again, it ended short of three figures when Chandimal outside edged down to third man. The duo now have the most runs (1272) as a pairing without a century contribution.
Absent-mindedness of the day
Quite what Dasun Shanaka was thinking when he sauntered down the pitch as the ball trickled to short third man is anyone's guess. He was rightly sent back but still paid the price ... by millimetres. Jos Buttler dislodged the bails, in the opinion of the third umpire, with Shanaka's bat on the line. It took the players by surprise, they were all back in position when the decision was confirmed, and Shanaka looked a little non-plussed by it all.
Quite what Dasun Shanaka was thinking when he sauntered down the pitch as the ball trickled to short third man is anyone's guess. He was rightly sent back but still paid the price ... by millimetres. Jos Buttler dislodged the bails, in the opinion of the third umpire, with Shanaka's bat on the line. It took the players by surprise, they were all back in position when the decision was confirmed, and Shanaka looked a little non-plussed by it all.
Reversal of the day
Scores of 133* and 256 for 0 followed by 0 and 1 for 1 - Alex Hales, and England's opening partnership, enjoyed distinctly contrasting fortunes 48 hours apart. After the carnage at Edgbaston, Sri Lanka extracted some revenge when Hales played away from his body at his first ball from Suranga Lakmal and edged a catch to Chandimal.
Scores of 133* and 256 for 0 followed by 0 and 1 for 1 - Alex Hales, and England's opening partnership, enjoyed distinctly contrasting fortunes 48 hours apart. After the carnage at Edgbaston, Sri Lanka extracted some revenge when Hales played away from his body at his first ball from Suranga Lakmal and edged a catch to Chandimal.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo