there it is! Hundred for Tharanga and victory for Sri Lanka as he drives through the covers... emphatic way to end a brilliant run chase
Sri Lanka vs England, 4th Quarter-Final at Colombo, Mar 26 2011 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
4th Quarter-Final (D/N), Colombo (RPS), March 26, 2011, ICC Cricket World Cup
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SL
Full commentary
Dilshan is down on the ground and can barely move, he'll need helping off the park. But it's party time in Sri Lanka. They are through to a semi-final on Tuesday against New Zealand on this ground. They'll be big favourites and are strong contenders for the title. It's England's fifth 10-wicket defeat in ODIs, their third against Sri Lanka, and was a proper humping. This is the highest total chased without a single wicket lost in a World Cup match surpassing the 221 by West Indies against Pakistan in 1992.
England were never in the game, losing early wickets and struggling for momentum throughout the innings. This time there was no inspiration with the ball and, frankly, the team looked spent long before the finish. It's been a long winter for then but, the bottom line is, they remain an average one-day team especially away from home. Sri Lanka showed that up with a varied bowling attack and positive batting. Stay with us for the presentation shortly.
Andrew Strauss "We thought the total was 30 light and it was more like 50 light. We thought pressure was a factor if we could get early wickets but we couldn't do it. We've been thoroughly beaten by a better side today. They were able to bowl a lot of dot balls at us to build pressure. We weren't able to take advantage of the platform. But we have to be honest, we haven't been good enough during the tournament. This was a step too far."
Kumar Sangakkara "Losing the toss it was an important we started well with the ball. Dilshan did that, then later came together with Tharanga and reminded us of Headingley [in 2006]. The guys fought hard, especially fielding first, and they kept up the pressure. It's been a fantastic crowd, hopefully they've enjoyed the cricket. Murali has pulled up a bit stiff but I'm sure he'll be fit for the next game. We can't get too far ahead of ourselves, we just have to keep our heads down."
The Man of the Match is Tillakaratne Dilshan. "I said to Sanga I was happy to bowl with the new ball. He told me yesterday but I have done it before. It was a fantastic one-day wicket...it got better and better. We knew if we started well we could build from there. We just need to carry this forward for the next couple of matches."
So, just to remind you of the semi-final line-up. It's Sri Lanka v New Zealand on Tuesday in Colombo then the massive one, India v Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday. It should be an epic week. Andrew Miller will soon have his bulletin ready of all today's action and you can also check out our gallery. For now, though, it's goodbye from Andrew McGlashan and Sahil Dutta. Thanks for joining us.
39.3
4
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, FOUR runs
39.2
•
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, no run
has a swing and gets a thick inside edge into the leg side but the single is turned down
39.1
•
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, no run
ooh, gives himself room to try and drive but mistimes it back to the bowler
Three to win, two for Tharanga's hundred. One shot anyone?
end of over 397 runs
SL: 227/0CRR: 5.82 • RRR: 0.27
Tillakaratne Dilshan108 (115b 10x4 2x6)
Upul Tharanga98 (119b 11x4 1x6)
Graeme Swann 9-0-61-0
Chris Tremlett 7-0-34-0
38.6
•
Swann to Dilshan, no run
this is given so much air and is so slow, but still Dilshan defends...a good natured finish to the match
38.5
•
Swann to Dilshan, no run
now we have an exaggerated block from Dilshan to basically a long hop
Ha...both batsmen knew that wasn't part of the plan
38.4
4
Swann to Dilshan, FOUR runs
steps back and cuts through the off side...lovely shot, but that won't help Tharanga
38.3
1
Swann to Upul Tharanga, 1 run
worked down the ground...they'll happily get them in singles
38.2
1
Swann to Dilshan, 1 run
played gently down to long off
38.1
1
Swann to Upul Tharanga, 1 run
driven inside-out over extra cover
end of over 389 runs
SL: 220/0CRR: 5.78 • RRR: 0.83
Tillakaratne Dilshan103 (111b 9x4 2x6)
Upul Tharanga96 (117b 11x4 1x6)
Chris Tremlett 7-0-34-0
Graeme Swann 8-0-54-0
37.6
•
Tremlett to Dilshan, no run
plays for his partner and defends to the leg side
37.6
2w
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, 2 wide
fired well down the leg side, excellent stop by Prior but they steal another extra as well
37.5
1
Tremlett to Dilshan, 1 run
another short ball which is helped out to deep square...looks like Dilshan has cramp. Shall we have two runners?
37.4
1
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, 1 run
pulls this one away out to deep square...will he have a word with his team-mate to block a few?
37.3
•
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, no run
round the wicket, goes for a pull but it comes off the bottom of the bat
37.2
4
Tremlett to Upul Tharanga, FOUR runs
there are four of them, stands tall and scythes it away over backward point when offered a hint of width...no holding back
Tharanga needs nine for his hundred
37.1
1
Tremlett to Dilshan, 1 run
back of a length, cut firmly down to third man
end of over 379 runs
SL: 211/0CRR: 5.70 • RRR: 1.46
Tillakaratne Dilshan101 (108b 9x4 2x6)
Upul Tharanga91 (114b 10x4 1x6)
Graeme Swann 8-0-54-0
Chris Tremlett 6-0-25-0
36.6
1
Swann to Dilshan, 1 run
tucked off his pads so he keeps the strike
36.5
4
Swann to Dilshan, FOUR runs
there it is, a brilliant hundred for Dilshan...another cut shot brings him the boundary he needed, this time it was placed with the power to beat the infield. A moment to savour for Dilshan who is having a wonderful tournament
36.4
2
Swann to Dilshan, 2 runs
steps back and cuts between cover and backward point...Dilshan still quick between the wickets
36.3
•
Swann to Dilshan, no run
defended back to the bowler
Appears that Tharanga now has a runner...not sure why. Silva is out there
36.2
1
Swann to Upul Tharanga, 1 run
worked down to long on
36.1
1
Swann to Dilshan, 1 run
down the pitch to a full toss and driven to long off
It's a race to a hundred for these two. Who'll be first?
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