Return of Angelo Matthews, the man with the Midas touch transforms Sri Lanka’s fortunes. England perish under new look Sri Lanka. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE(eLanka Sports editor).
Angelo Matthews turned out to be Sri Lanka’s new good luck charm and Kusal Mendis warmed to his role as skipper leading the Island nation to a convincing 8 -wicket victory over defending World Cup champions England in Bengaluru.
Shell- shocked England, currently languishing at the bottom of this edition, had no answers to a revitalised Sri Lanka, as Matthews provided the Midas touch, after Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bat.
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The bowlers, at long last, hit superb lengths with good line and accuracy to destroy England’s strong batting line-up, dramatically changing the leather hunt they were on in the first three games.
And this made it so much easier for Sri Lanka’s batters to romp to an under par target.
Losing 2 for 24, Pathum Nissanka 77 off 83 balls and Sadeera Samarawickrema 65 off 54 balls raced to the target in 25.4overs.
The return of Lahiru Kumara and the inclusion of Angelo Matthews proved to be the catalyst and game changer to Sri Lanka’s form reversal and a positive focus. With Kasun Rajitha and Maheesh Theeksheena Sri Lanka finally found cohesion and balance to a bowling unit that has until now been dysfunctional and the cause for their poor performances.
Lahiru Kumara, whose express pace is sometimes wayward, was well disciplined as he ripped apart England’s middle order and together with Matthews Kasun Rajitha and Maheesh Theeksheena strangled a strong England batting line-up to dismiss them for a mere 156 in 33.2 overs.
But it was Angelo Matthews gentle medium pace that started the rot when he broke what looked like a brisk start between Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow who added 45 for the first wicket. He had Malan caught behind by Mendis, and was almost unplayable in his five overs returning figures of 2 for 14. Lahiru Kumara 3 fir 35 Rajitha 2 for 36 ans Theeksheena 1 for 21 off 8.2 overs completed the demolition job on England.
Matthews capped off a great comeback to the Sri Lanka team with his involvement in three dismissals including a run out. He was also an asset on the field coaching and encouraging the younger members with his vast experience.
Even Netherlands recovered from a perilous 6 for 91 to 262 showing the lack of venom in the bowling.
The new look bowling attack looks compact, and under Matthews guidance will pose plenty of problems to the favourites in the games ahead.
Chasing a mediocre 157 for victory, Sri Lanka once again saw the early exits of Kusal Janith Perera and Kusal Mendis as England threatened to swing the scales in their favour. David Willey got rid of Mendis and Perera. It was to be England’s only success.
Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrema steered the ship to safety with half centuries and controlled aggression, making it five from five victories over England in the World Cup.
Experience has definitely counted for something and Matthews inclusion has proved that in no uncertain terms.
Expect a few more upsets as the reborn Lankans venture on a new mindset of confidence and enjoyment which has been an added ingredient to their game plan.
