Mathews bemoans ineffective spinners

It was a pitch that would have been any spinner's dry dream, but it did not quite get the warm response it deserved from Sri Lanka's spin attack. England chased down 240 with five wickets and five balls remaining, though batting had become even more difficult than it had been on Wednesday, with Moeen Ali and James Tredwell in operation.

Sri Lanka's spinners have been a menace in Colombo, but have faltered in the outstations so far in the series. Sachithra Senanayake proved adequate replacement for Rangana Herath, as he claimed two wickets for 35 from his 10 overs, but Jeevan Mendis and Ajantha Mendis traveled at more than five an over, and Tillakaratne Dilshan was not far off.

Unsurprisingly, Angelo Mathews said Sri Lanka could have done with 20 more runs, but placed blame for defeat at his spinners' ineffectiveness on a track as dry as they have played on in three months.

"It was a strange wicket," Mathews said. "It was turning square, but we couldn't take wickets and no one really bowled well apart from Sachithra. We actually though 240 would be a challenging score on that wicket, because it only got worse. We started to bowl well after the 40th over, and by that time it was too late for us."

Mathews said Rangana Herath would have been "dangerous on that wicket" had he been fit, but two days after being cleared to bowl again in internationals, Senanayake has already made a strong claim for a World Cup place. He opened the bowling from one end on Thursday, resuming the Powerplay bowling role he had performed prior to his ban. Though he did not achieve a lot of turn in his first spell, he dismissed both openers and conceded only 17 in his first five overs.

"Sachi was spot on on his comeback, though the other spinners didn't do much. As usual we bank on him, and he delivered once again. He was playing a bit of domestic cricket before his comeback, but under pressure, playing against a strong batting line up, he was the man for us today. I hope that he'll continue to do the same thing in the future."

Senanayake did extract significant turn when he came back into the attack later in the match. Mathews said the extra rip was a hallmark of his new action. "He gets more turn now, I guess. After the remedial work he gets a lot more bounce as well, and he's accurate, as usual. His accuracy is the key for him."

Mathews also said Ajantha Mendis remained in contention for a World Cup berth, despite two mediocre performances in Pallekele and Hambantota. In between those games, though, he has taken nine wickets at 27.33 in the series, routinely bowling at the death.

"We played Ajantha Mendis on this wicket because it's a spin-friendly pitch, and also Rangana was injured. If a player is in contention for a World Cup spot, we try to give them opportunities. Rather than drop them after a game or two, we try to give them a run of three or four games to figure out if they will be suitable for the World Cup, and he's in our plans."