Jadenfreude at the World T20

There has been a bit of pessimism about England's chances at this tournament. You couldn't blame the naysayers, given Sri Lanka's record in 2014.

England's first target is to get past 39. Anything more than that is a bonus

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 27, 2014

Sri Lanka limited-overs record under new coach Paul Farbrace: W W W W W W W W W W W W. #EngvSL #WT20

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 27, 2014

England were off to the perfect start, though. Well, until Mahela Jayawardene's first-ball dismissal was referred to the third umpire. Turns out, he wasn't quite sure if the ball was caught. Turns out he was the only one with such doubts.

That is an embarrassment for cricket when catches like that aren't given! Third umpire needs to keep a cricketing mind.. Terrible decision!

— Dirk Nannes (@dirk_nannes) March 27, 2014

Jayawardene being not out meant Jade Dernbach, one of England's favourite sons, was not on a hat-trick.

The only explanation is Steve Davis preserving the integrity of cricket by preventing Jade Dernbach from being on a hat-trick. #EngvSL #WT20

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 27, 2014

Dernbach went on to have just the night his many detractors relish.

Jade Dernbach steadies himself under that high catch: pic.twitter.com/KgNEtTqSam

— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) March 27, 2014

Jadenfreude [shahd-n-froi-duh], noun. "Satisfaction or pleasure felt at Jade Dernbach's misfortune." #ENGvSL

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) March 27, 2014

England went on to have just the night their many detractors relish. Featuring much dew, many dropped catches and a big dose of ordinariness (even from the Sri Lanka batsmen, but who has eyes for the opposition while such a special England performance is underway).

First Pietersen, now the ball. No one does farcical drops like England. #wt20 #SLvEng

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) March 27, 2014

Thank God it was a four. I was worried I'd have to watch someone try and catch that.

— King Cricket (@TheKingsTweets) March 27, 2014

Maybe one of these Sri Lankan 6's will take out the newly installed generators at the ground. Probably been England's plan all along...#wt20

— 51allout (@51allout) March 27, 2014

England could not even get their over rate right. One hour, 55 minutes, the Sri Lanka innings ran. Some saw silver linings.

If England bowl their overs too slowly, will they all be banned from the next game? #wt20 #engvsl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 27, 2014

And just when we all thought it could not get worse for the beleaguered Englishmen, Nuwan Kulasekara began Sri Lanka's defence with a double-wicket maiden.

Fairly logical. England feeling bad about taking so long to bowl their 20 overs they want to finish their batting effort quickly. #wt20

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) March 27, 2014

To win from here, England will have to abandon their strategy of being England.

— Burton DeWitt (@bsd987) March 27, 2014

Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan were not about to give up though. As the Sri Lanka bowlers also suffered the ill effects of the dew, they chipped away - rather quickly - at the target. Suddenly, people were beginning to wonder ...

Typical of England this. They had a record-breakingly hilarious worst defeat ever in the palm of their hands, and they've thrown it away.

— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) March 27, 2014

There was a blip when Kulasekara came back on.

Nuwan Kulasekara has now taken 3 wickets in 10 balls. In between his 2nd & 3rd wkts England put on 152 in 15.2 overs! #WT20 #EngvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 27, 2014

The Buttler didn't do it.

— Samir Chopra (@EyeOnThePitch) March 27, 2014

But the #Halestorm was still going and England could #boplieve

If you #Boplieve, and your heart is pure, wondrous things can happen...

— Vithushan (@Vitu_E) March 27, 2014

English T20 cricket is hales and hearty

— Samir Chopra (@EyeOnThePitch) March 27, 2014

Hales kept going, saw off Lasith Malinga, brought up England's first T20I century. A six here... A six there... And out of nowhere England had pulled off an incredible chase, their best in the format. We're still catching our breath.

#WTF20

— Alan R Gardner (@alanroderick) March 27, 2014

I'm not sure I understand T20 cricket.

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) March 27, 2014

And the England fans say ...

WERE GONNA WIN THE CUP......probably not... #wt20 #engvsl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 27, 2014