Mathews reflects on 'one hell of a game'

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.
Latest
-
News
Joe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.
-
News
Joe Root century strengthens England’s grip on first Test against Sri Lanka
Dan Lawrence hits 73 on debut as England reach 320 for four at tea, a lead of 185.
-
News
England captain Joe Root celebrates a century against Sri Lanka
Root brought up his 18th Test ton after being stranded on 99 at lunch in Galle.
-
News
Joe Root 99 not out at lunch as England look to build big advantage
Root and Test debutant Dan Lawrence have steered the tourists to a lead of 71 with seven wickets intact.
-
News
Heather Knight excited by freedom on offer after New Zealand quarantine
England Women will be able to break out of the coronavirus ‘bubble’ lifestyle in a country which has effectively contained the disease.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England day one: Tourists carve out dominant performance in Galle
The tourists skittled Sri Lanka for 135 then replied with 127 for two.
-
News
Stuart Broad and England in ‘dream world’ after superb first day in Sri Lanka
Broad took three wickets and Dom Bess five before Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took England within eight runs of their hosts’ total.
-
News
England dominate day one of Sri Lanka Test after brilliant Stuart Broad start
Broad’s early scalps set the tone for a day England ended just eight runs behind their opponents with eight first-innings wickets intact.
-
News
Boucher says its time for Proteas to get back to Pakistan
Mark Boucher will direct the Proteas on their first tour of Pakistan since 2007 which gets underway later this month.
-
News
Stuart Broad and Dom Bess run through lacklustre Sri Lanka on day one
The hosts made just 135 after winning the toss and electing to bat.