Sri Lanka v England 2007-07

At R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, October 13, 2007 (day/night). Sri Lanka won by 107 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka. One-day international debut: M. D. K. Perera.

Sri Lanka fought back at the last to win with more than 20 overs to spare, despite being denied a really competitive total as England's attack overcame the loss of Swann to a hamstring strain. Broad delivered his best performance of the series and, even after another determined half-century from Silva, Sri Lanka might have struggled to prevent a fourth successive defeat. But the game changed with the introduction of Fernando in the eighth over of England's reply, the catalyst for a spectacular capitulation. He came on at 21 for one and, using his highly regarded slower ball to great effect, bowled an eight-over spell which reduced England to 83 for eight and brought him figures of six for 27, his best in all cricket. They might have been even better, but he was taken out of the attack to allow Malinga's slingshot pace to wrap up the tail and a comprehensive victory. The speed of their defeat enabled England to watch their rugby counterparts beat France in the World Cup semi-final that evening, before flying home.