Sorry England suffer embarrassing defeat as Sri Lanka complete second-highest ODI run chase in HISTORY in thrilling clash
England suffered one of the worst defeats in their one-day history as Sri Lanka sensationally knocked off a target of 430 in Rawalpindi after Harry Brook’s record-breaking double-century appeared to have taken the game beyond their reach.
The Sri Lankans completed a two-wicket victory with one ball to spare, thanks to 130 from Pavan Rathnakaye, and 97 apiece from Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka. And with six needed off two balls, Janath Liyanage then completed a stunning turnaround by launching Josh Tongue over long-off.
Only once before have the team batting second made more to win an ODI, when South Africa overhauled Australia’s 434 with one wicket in hand at Johannesburg more than 20 years ago.
And when Sri Lanka found themselves 24 for two, with captain Kusal Mendis run out at the non-striker’s end without facing a ball, they looked doomed.
But Fernando and Rathnayake put on 166, before Shanaka helped Rathnayake add 133, as England disintegrated. Sam Curran’s nine overs went for 103.
England chipped away, and Tongue even found himself on a hat-trick in the final over after bowling Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga in successive deliveries – only for Liyanage to have the final say.
England managed to lose their ODI against Sri Lanka despite setting a score of 429/4
Sri Lanka seemed to have no chance at the halfway stage but battle back remarkably
Earlier, Brook had scored England’s first ODI double-century from just 114 balls, a world record, in his team’s 429 for four. But it wasn’t enough.
‘It was an incredible game of cricket,’ said Brook. ‘Both teams were exceptional. Sri Lanka just outplayed us. We couldn’t hit our straps with the ball and played to their strengths a bit. Fair play to them.
‘It was a nice innings. Unfortunately it doesn’t mean anything now. Being on the losing side, it has no value, in my eyes.’
