Mathews reflects on 'one hell of a game'

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Captain Angelo Mathews conceded Sri Lanka were almost outdone by Man of the Match Jos Buttler, after England slipped to a seven-run loss in Saturday's fourth ODI at Lord's in London.

Captain Angelo Mathews conceded Sri Lanka were almost outdone by Man of the Match Jos Buttler, after England slipped to a seven-run loss in Saturday's fourth ODI at Lord's in London.

The Sri Lankans posted an impressive total of 300 for nine on the back of a fine century from former captain Kumar Sangakkara and a quickfire half-ton from hard-hitting opener Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Buttler, en route to a career-best 121 from just 74 deliveries, almost earned the hosts an unassailable three-one series lead. Visiting seamers Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara, however, ultimately stemmed the charge.

"That was one hell of a game. Tillakaratne and Sangakkara set the platform but we fell away a bit in the middle. Jos' innings was one of the best I've seen, he played brilliantly," said Mathews.

"The spinners did well, Malinga and Kulasekara are the most experienced guys in our bowling and that paid off at the end. We had to raise our hands up. We know that if we get 250 or more we have the bowlers to defend it. We can take a lot of positives from here for the deciding match."

The fifth and final ODI will get underway at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday. Two Tests will follow.

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