England set to chase target on reserve day
The fifth ODI between England and Sri Lanka will continue on Thursday after play was called off with Sri Lanka having been dismissed for 239 in the first innings.
The two teams will make use of the reserve day set aside for the series and England will have a full 50 overs to chase down Sri Lanka's total after rain scuppered the entire second innings of the match on Wednesday.
England won the toss and sent Sri Lanka in to bat, with the hosts looking to wrap up the series with a victory.
But the English bowlers acquitted themselves superbly, keeping a lid on the Sri Lankan danger men throughout.
Steven Finn struck in the very first over of the match, forcing Kusal Perera to edge to second slip and dismissing the opener for a duck.
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara steadied the ship as the scoreboard started ticking over, until Chris Jordan forced Dilshan to drag on in the 10th over.
A few balls later, Chris Woakes struck to dismiss Mahela Jayawardene as Sri Lanka were reduced to 59/3 in the 11th over.
That set the stage for the biggest partnership of the day, as Sangakkara and Angelo Matthews combined for a 85-run stand that kept the English bowlers at bay.
The runs weren't coming at an especially quick pace, however, and when Matthews finally fell to Jordan, followed shortly by Lahiru Thirimanne, trapped in front by James Tredwall, it was all up to Sangakkara and the lower order to build a decent total.
Sangakkara was doing a solid job, but Woakes was having a superb day and he managed to force an error out of the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper, who was caught at midwicket in the 43rd over.
Sangakkara fell nine runs short of his century, and Woakes wasn't done yet. The seamer would pick up three more wickets in the final overs, finishing with 6/47 from 8 as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 239 with a full over to spare.
England's response never got under way, with rain washing out the rest of the day's action. Luckily for the visitors, a reserve day had been set aside, and they'll return on Thursday for their full innings as they look to chase down the Sri Lankan total.
Latest
-
NewsKey man Kyle Jamieson ‘just riding the coat-tails’ of New Zealand regulars
Jamieson claimed five for 31 as the Black Caps bowled out India for 217 on day three.
-
NewsKyle Jamieson puts New Zealand in control with bowling masterclass against India
The paceman from Auckland wrapped up sensational figures of five for 31 in 22 relentless overs as India were dismissed for 217 at the Ageas Bowl.
-
NewsBen Stokes stars on return from injury as Durham seal Blast win over Birmingham
Joe Root top-scored with 49 as he helped Yorkshire to a 39-run triumph over Derbyshire Falcons.
-
NewsBen Stokes returns from injury with stunning catch in Durham win
Stokes made his first appearance since April returning from a broken finger.
-
NewsKyle Jamieson claims five wickets as New Zealand turn screw at Ageas Bowl
The 6fit 8in paceman finished with sensational figures of five for 31.
-
NewsChris Woakes: England absence has felt like waste of my form
Woakes is hoping to get the nod for Wednesday’s T20 against Sri Lanka, ending a 280-day absence from the England XI.
-
News
5 things we learned from the women’s Test between England and India
Rain on day three dented hopes of a positive outcome at Bristol.
-
NewsHeather Knight says Bristol game was ‘brilliant advert’ for women’s Test cricket
England and India drew a weather-affected contest.
-
NewsKyle Jamieson takes two big wickets as New Zealand seize the initiative
Jamieson claimed the prize scalp of Virat Kohli, who failed to add to his overnight score of 44.
-
NewsEngland v India day four: Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia secure draw for visitors
England were unable to break through and start a run chase on the final day.