England grab yet another trophy but not without a very good effort from Sri Lanka who lost the series 3-2. Going int the final game it was 2-2 and all the games had been very one sided either by England or by Sri Lanka.
The 3rd ODI was at the home of cricket, Lord’s and the game was set up well with a brilliant century for Cook at a strike rate of 83 and a KP scored a solid 40 before getting caught of the bowling of Mendis and a couple of Cameo innings from Bell and Bresnan gave England a total of 246. Two wickets for Malinga, Lakmal and Mendis. England probably would have felt they were 20-25 light on that wicket but it allowed Sri Lanka to pace they’re innings nicely. Chandimal batted brilliantly for his century as well as 79 from Jayawardene at the top of the order Sri Lanka cruised to victory with 10 balls and 6 wickets to spare. Swann took 2 wickets and Bresnan and Dernbach taking one.
The 4th ODI went England’s way, with a 10 wicket victory. Dernbach and Anderson both taking 3 wickets and Broad and Bresnan both taking 2 England bowled out the visitors for 174, Sangakkara paced his way to 75 and Matthews getting 39 of 49 balls the only real contributors to the innings. England’s openers went about the task of chasing 171 (D/L) with aggression after the rain interval. Cook hitting well through cover and point and Kieswetter batting in his usual fashion with a couple of big hits at the end preventing Cook from getting his 100, he fell short on 95* and Kieswetter got 72* both at over a run a ball.
The 5th and final ODI was the decider, series level at 2-2 could England snatch it? Having won the toss England chose to bat and put up a decent total of 268, Morgan and Trott the main contributors with Morgan missing one having already charged down the wicket he was stumped in a similar way to Captain Cook who made an entertaining 30. Trott’s dismissal was an unlucky one having dragged a leg side ball from Randiv towards the stumps Trott tried to kick the ball away and was unable to stop the ball from hitting the stumps. Randiv bowled well finishing with 5 for 42. Pressure now on England try and defend their total. Sri Lanka’s reply didn’t get off to the start they would have hoped for, both openers falling for just 4.
Sangakkara was the first batsmen to get a start but he soon got out for 48. England looked like comfortable winners but when Chandimal, Mendis and Matthews getting brisk 40’s and Matthews and Chandimal both getting 50’s the game was balanced. However all three playing lofted shots all three were caught. With none of the tail being able to contribute they were bowled out after 48.2 overs. Both spinners only getting a wicket each, Anderson and Dernbach both getting 2, and 3 for Bresnan as well a runout the tourists fell 12 runs short.
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