World Cup Report Match 22: England v Sri Lanka

Scorecard

England's inevitable fall from competitiveness in the latest World Cup has almost reached its conclusion, after failing to even remotely defend 309, losing to a Sri Lankan team that lost only one wicket in the chase with 16 deliveries still to face. Rather than heighten any regard to Sri Lanka's chances in this tournament, this match continued to highlight the ineffectiveness of England's squad and their selection process, and their inability to perform in this version of the game.

Their batsmen, for the most part, did a reasonable job, without ever really showing the explosiveness that other teams have been producing, and appears to be a highlight of this tournament. Ali went early, Ballance again failed, Bell got the team off to a start before fall with the job only half done. Morgan hung around while Root did the majority of the work, but never looked likely to get going. His tournament is fast receding into nightmare. Taylor and Buttler helped along at the end, and a final score of 6/309 from their 50 overs appeared a reasonable tally and return for the after noon's work. However, England's real problems surfaced. Their much-heralded opening attack of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad again appeared toothless, incapable of troubling the batsmen or finding a way to penetrate their defences. These two were supposed to be England's huge bargaining chip, able to break open the top order of teams and fire into the middle order. Against Sri Lanka, it was imperative. It is generally regarded that if Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene are dismissed, then so is Sri Lanka. As a result, early wickets were a necessity. Sadly for England, it was not to be. In the fourth over, Thirimanne edged to the left of keeper Buttler, who went for, then pulled out of, the catch. The result was that it baulked Joe Root at first slip so much that he put the chance down, the chance that was most certainly the keeper's catch. Thirimanne was on 7. Sri Lanka's first wicket fell at 100, but it was Dilshan who went. Thirimanne was still there at the end on 139 when Sri Lanka won the game by 9 wickets, with Sangakkara on 117. It was a pasting, a thrashing.

For Sri Lanka it has confirmed their position in the quarter finals, their opponent to be decided by the outcome of their match against Australia. Their bowling attack still appears to lack potency, though they will probably enjoy Australian wickets more than the New Zealand ones. It was always imperative that their batsmen fired if they were to progress in this tournament, something they have done so far. Whether they are able to escape the lacklustre performances from their series against New Zealand and reach higher in this World Cup may well be answered next Sunday.
England are a rabble, and on the precipice of being knocked out of the tournament. If they lose to Bangladesh that is exactly what will happen. There is a compelling case for all three squad members who have not yet been offered a game - Alex Hales, Chris Jordan and James Tredwell - to play the next match, most likely in place of Ballance, Woakes and Steve Finn. Whether the current coach and selectors can get past their blinkered viewing is another matter entirely. If they wish to remain in this tournament, there is little other choice. Even that may not achieve that aim.