Matches (11)
IPL (3)
PAK v WI [W] (1)
County DIV1 (4)
County DIV2 (3)

Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI at Dambulla, , Oct 07 2007 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
3rd ODI (D/N), Dambulla, October 07, 2007, England tour of Sri Lanka
(41.1/48 ov) 164
(46.5/48 ov, T:164) 164/8

England won by 2 wickets (with 7 balls remaining) (D/L method)

Player Of The Match
25 (37), 4/34 & 3 catches
graeme-swann
New
ENG
Full commentary

A slight bit of confusion right at the end when Sri Lanka claimed to have run out Sidebottom, but they'd already run the required two runs - and now take a 2-1 series lead. They've played some mediocre cricket today - in fact both sides have; it's been ugly, desperate cricket at times. But, yet again, Broad showed his maturity - as did Swann with the ball in Sri Lanka's innings - to take England home to a vital victory, especially considering the poor weather forecast for the final two fixtures. We hope you've enjoyed our coverage today, and do join us on Wednesday for England's next game. From me, Will Luke, and Martin Williamson, it's goodnight.

46.5
2
Malinga to Broad, 2 runs

flicked off his pads, just evading the short midwicket and there's the match for England. A great effort from Broad

What a shot at such a tense moment

46.4
4
Malinga to Broad, FOUR runs

full, swinging into Broad - Malinga's desperate to find this yorker but it's not quite working. Broad leans into it and plays a beautiful extra cover drive for four

46.3
Malinga to Broad, no run

full, fast and straight - not quite yorker length, but nasty enough. Broad's up to the challenge, however, jabbing down on it at the last moment

Slip is in. Malinga kisses the ball and here he comes...

46.2
1
Malinga to Sidebottom, 1 run

another zippy delivery but it's wild and misdirected down the leg side. Sidebottom gets bat on it and they scamper a single

46.1
Malinga to Sidebottom, no run

close! So close there. A vicious, swinging ball which evades the off stump...and evades Sidebottom's bat too

England probably have their noses in front again now. There's now a committee going on out in the middle with Jayawardene counselling opinion from all and sundry. Who's to bowl?

end of over 462 runs
ENG: 157/8CRR: 3.41 RRR: 3.50
Ryan Sidebottom6 (8b)
Stuart Broad14 (41b)
Tillakaratne Dilshan 3-0-8-0
Lasith Malinga 7-1-32-1
45.6
1
Dilshan to Sidebottom, 1 run

guided out to point and they run an easy single

45.5
Dilshan to Sidebottom, no run

well bowled. Fired into Sidebottom who clamps down on it

45.4
1
Dilshan to Broad, 1 run

cracked off the back foot - a good shot and they do get the single this time

45.3
Dilshan to Broad, no run

fuller and straighter, Broad chips it back to the bowler who fields well to save the single

45.2
Dilshan to Broad, no run

shorter this time and Broad cracks it into the off side off the back foot, but straight to the fielder

45.1
Dilshan to Broad, no run

flighted on off stump but Broad is patient, calm and solid in defence

England need 9 from 18. Sri Lanka...two more wickets, and it'll be Dilshan to try his luck

end of over 454 runs
ENG: 155/8CRR: 3.44 RRR: 3.00
Stuart Broad13 (37b)
Ryan Sidebottom5 (6b)
Lasith Malinga 7-1-32-1
Sanath Jayasuriya 10-1-23-2
44.6
1
Malinga to Broad, 1 run

a massive wide which Broad could've easily left, but instead he reached out for it and got a chippy edge down to third man

44.5
Malinga to Broad, no run

and he's rapped on the pads, but it's much too high. And the angle too extreme

Malinga's going around the wicket to Broad here

44.4
1lb
Malinga to Sidebottom, 1 leg bye

another poor ball down the leg-side - a misdirected slower ball which wobbles off Sidebottom's legs, or possibly bat, and Broad is alive to the opportunity of another run

44.3
1
Malinga to Broad, 1 run

a full toss on his pads which Broad calmly whips to leg without fuss

44.2
Malinga to Broad, no run

well bowled! A quick ball spearing into Broad's pads, and Broad is right back into his crease and defending it with his life

44.1
1
Malinga to Sidebottom, 1 run

a single out to cover - excellent running, and not very intelligent fielding. Sri Lanka's infield were on their heels there

13 needed from 24 for England to go 2-1 up in the series. Sri Lanka need two wickets

end of over 443 runs
ENG: 151/8CRR: 3.43 RRR: 3.25
Stuart Broad11 (33b)
Ryan Sidebottom4 (4b)
Sanath Jayasuriya 10-1-23-2
Dilhara Fernando 10-1-31-1

And there ends Jayasuriya's 10 overs. Another industrious spell from the old legend

43.6
Jayasuriya to Broad, no run

well flighted by Jayasuriya; solidly defended by Broad

43.5
Jayasuriya to Broad, no run

nudged to leg for a zero

43.4
Jayasuriya to Broad, no run

and that's punched to mid-off, Broad wants a single but Sidebottom rightly turns it down

AskESPNcricinfo Logo
Instant answers to T20 questions
England Innings
<1 / 3>