England v Sri Lanka, 2014

At The Oval, May 20 (floodlit). Sri Lanka won by nine runs. Toss: England. Twenty20 international debuts: M. A. Carberry, H. F. Gurney; K. D. K. Vithanage.

Less than two months after he had stunned Sri Lanka at the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, Hales threatened to repeat the dose - but his demise for a 41-ball 66 spelled the end of England's hopes. With Malinga, who eventually out-thought him with a clever slower ball, proving typically tough to get away, a target of 24 off the last over, bowled by Lakmal, was beyond them. Harry Gurney had struck with his fourth ball in Twenty20 internationals, clipping the top of Dilshan's off stump, but dropped catches cost England dear: Thirimanne was missed by Jordan at backward point off Woakes on 14, and Tissara Perera by Carberry in the covers off Gurney when 20. In the next over, Perera thrashed Jordan for 22 (044644). England's middle order - including Morgan, leading the side in the absence of the injured Stuart Broad - then got bogged down, paving the way for Sri Lanka to win their first game as defending world champions following the retirement from the format of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Man of the Match: N. L. T. C. Perera. Attendance: 21,180.