Sri Lanka v England. Lots of national anthem jokes, and lots of Jonathan Trott jokes. How about one that combined the two?
The only thing longer than Trott's innings today will be Sri Lanka's national anthem :P #CT13
— jigar mehta (@jigsactin) June 13, 2013
Sri Lanka made an interesting change to their XI. No one could have anticipated the sort of impact it would have on the game.
Kulasekara replaces Thisara Perera. After getting out for 139 and almost defending it, SL have strengthened their bowling➡@andrewffernando
— Jameshubert (@cricjammy) June 13, 2013
The David Warner punch-up added to the intrigue leading into the game.
Only interests in this game - Joe Root batting, Joe Root bowling, Joe Root trying on a beard #EngvsSL #ct13
— Bored Cricket (@BoredCricket) June 13, 2013
So Sri Lanka have won the toss and have put England in. Who's looking forward to Alastair Cook ramping Malinga for six?
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 13, 2013
Ian Bell departed early, clipping a straight ball to midwicket. That meant Twitter's favourite whipping boy was out in the middle early.
Ian Bell serenely clips it to midwicket, and elegantly walks back to the pavilion.
— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 13, 2013
Oh good. Trott's in. #dulux #snoozetime #ct13 #cricket #engvsl
— The Grim Sheeper (@The_GrimSheeper) June 13, 2013
Trott began with a spurt of rare aggression, and sprinted to 15 off 14 balls.
Trott striking at over a run a ball... Remember this day people! #ct13
— Matthew Nepgen (@MatthewNepgen) June 13, 2013
Trott's strike rate so far today - 111! He'll soon have a nosebleed at this rate... #CT13 #EngvSL
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar9) June 13, 2013
Alastair Cook and Trott settled in to lay a solid base for England. They were helped along by some sloppy Sri Lankan catching.
Seriously can't get over how much Dilshan looks like my boss. #EngvSL #ct13
— Brendan Haywood (@bread_man) June 13, 2013
Does your boss keep dropping catches?
Dilshan drops Cook twice now. Safe to say Dilshan has cook in his Fantasy team on #CI ?
— Nikhil (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 13, 2013
Cook departed after reviewing an lbw call where the ball was hitting the middle of middle stump.
Cook sweeping and given out.Looked out too but reviewing. Very poor review too. Bad advice from Trott I reckon ( I know, Trott's fault)
— mike selvey (@selvecricket) June 13, 2013
An England batsman falls on the sweep to Rangana Herath. Are we back in Galle?
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) June 13, 2013
All eyes were on Joe Root, who proceeded to play a sound innings.
Root has been in for 17 balls and no one has tried to punch him yet
— Adam Sharp (@prayformojo78) June 13, 2013
Root just drilled Malinga for two fours through the covers - proper shots unlike Warner's low blow on him in Brummy bar
— Derek Pringle (@derekpringle) June 13, 2013
But England just refused to step on the gas until the very end.
England's innings so far like an unadventurous pensioner's ideal holiday - an uneventful cruise. 164-2 off 35. 8 fours. Minimal pressure.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) June 13, 2013
When the cricket is dull, strange stats begin to do the rounds. This was perhaps one for Ask Steven.
When a square cut by Root fetches a four, should he be given 16? ICC must decide this forthwith.
— K Balakumar (@kbalakumar) June 13, 2013
Dilshan continued to put down catches. Not his best day on the field.
This day dat year Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh n dropped d cup Today Dilshan drops Root #samesame #ct13
— Mihir Shah (@BombayCityWalah) June 13, 2013
Despite losing a bunch of wickets leading up to the close, England surged to 293 thanks to Ravi Bopara, who smacked an unbeaten 33 off 13 balls.
By the way - before I forget - Ravi Bopara's 28 off the last over at the Oval just about matches my average stick cricket run rate. Shot sir
— Darius (@dazgills1) June 13, 2013
Not everyone was impressed though.
Bopara does a 'Hick'. Just as you think you might see the back of them they play well & get the chance to play badly for another 10matches
— GrayNics BatWorkshop (@TheBatWorkshop) June 13, 2013
Bopara's first name and good form put him in elite company.
The stars foretell a fruitful time for those whose name's first four letters are R-A-V-I #Bopara #Jadeja #Shastri #ct13 #EngvsSl
— Bored Cricket (@BoredCricket) June 13, 2013
Sri Lanka's chase got off to a weak start, with Kusal Perera once again falling for a low score.
On a scale of 1 to Darren Bravo,how bad is Kushal Perera? #ct13
— Pramod (@Cric_Pramod) June 13, 2013
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan put their heads down to set a base, but their running between the wickets was dodgy.
Sangakkara would be the most complete player if he was merged with Usain Bolt. #NeverTheRunner
— Gayan Wijewickrama (@GayanMW) June 13, 2013
Graeme Swann got rid of Dilshan and gave him a big send-off too. That set the stage for a poetic partnership.
Sangakkara & Mahela haven't got long left. Soak it all in, folks. #ENGvSL
— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 13, 2013
Just as England began to get some reverse swing going, the umpires effected a ball change.
Now if SL win, Eng will blame it on ball change. No mention of Eng roughing it up by bouncing it on practice pitches. #WhingingPoms #CT13
— Charindra Chandre (@Charindra_Chan) June 13, 2013
"They're more concerned about the ball than what to do with the ball" Nasser Hussain on the English bowlers. #ct13
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 13, 2013
Jayawardene took control of the chase with some mesmeric batting. He took a particular liking to Stuart Broad's bowling.
If there's a more glorious sight in the world than Jayawardene hitting Stuart Broad for a straight six, I don't want to know it. #CT13
— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 13, 2013
Mahela clubbed it. That was sent to the Ministry of Ball Retrieval.
— Gayan Wijewickrama (@GayanMW) June 13, 2013
Should have known Sri Lanka would get close. If Bopara can score runs on it then Stevie Wonder would have too.
— Chris Shopland (@shoppy131) June 13, 2013
Mahela and Sanga, getting better with age, like fine wine. Time for England to bring on its own whine, Stuart Broad.
— Rohit Naimpally (@Noompa) June 13, 2013
The wicket eventually went to the batting Powerplay, when Jayawardene holed out to the deep.
Oh Mahela! That was like Vincent van Gogh spilling a pot of paint on his canvas a few brush strokes short of finishing a masterpiece.
— Oliver Brett (@sport_oliver) June 13, 2013
Angelo Mathews surprised everyone by sending in Nuwan Kulasekara ahead of the middle order, as a Powerplay pinch-hitter. Sunil Gavaskar declared on air that it was a bad idea.
Kulasekara ahead of Chandimal and Mathews. Batting PP and all that. Understandable. But, dear Mathews, there's no Nayi Soch Award here #CT13
— LOL SPORTS (@LOL_SPORTS) June 13, 2013
Kulasekara took a few minutes finding his range, but once he did, sixes and fours started flying in all directions.
Kulusekera is not easing the pressure on Sri Lanka, he's drilling into England's skull.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 13, 2013
Sangakkara waltzed past his 100, and just like that, Sri Lanka closed in on a famous win.
Fifty for Kulasekara in 30 balls. According to Gavaskar, "He's a nightwatchman, a proper batsman should be sent above him." #CT13 #ENGvSL
— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) June 13, 2013
It turns out not to be the best day for England to laugh at Australian cricket after all...
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) June 13, 2013
There haven't been too many of those recently. Atleast on Twitter, everyone seemed to know what cost England the game.
Of course this defeat is all #TrottsFault...
— Thomas Frost (@Frosty_Potter89) June 13, 2013
Stuart Broad8 overs 0 maidens63 runs0 wickets#trottsfault
— Fred Boycott(@FredBoycott) June 13, 2013
I didn't see the Sri Lanka innings, I assume it was #trottsfault ?
— Dave Eames (@DavidEames) June 13, 2013
Nitin Sundar is social media manager at ESPNcricinfo