Sri Lanka skipper rues death bowling lapse against England

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka was disappointed that his team failed to make the most of a great start against England.
Shanaka’s troops came up just short in their run-chase but pressed England more than any team has in the tournament to date.
Sri Lanka’s competitiveness stemmed from a strong start with the ball with Wanindu Hasaranga doing some early damage to set England back.
Unfortunately, Sri Lanka were not able to remove Jos Buttler and the England opener would hurt them in the end, accelerating towards the back-end and getting his team up to an imposing total.
At one stage in the chase it looked like Hasaranga and Shanaka might haul in the target after putting on a fifty partnership for the sixth wicket, but when the former holed out to a neat tandem catch from Jason Roy and Sam Billings, the effort came crashing down.
Sri Lanka are all but out
Sri Lanka have been left with just two points from four games and have just about been eliminated from the running for the semi-finals.
Shanaka said after the match that their inability to close out an innings has been problematic, having also seen South Africa pull out victory in the last game thanks to a big finish.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Shanaka said: “The whole tournament, the bowlers have been outstanding in the first 10 overs.
“It’s been a concern for us the back end every game. For most of the guys, it’s their first World Cup and the experience is very low. When they gain more experience, they will do good for the team. In the second half, we knew the dew factor will be a big factor but losing wickets at regular intervals really cost the match for us.”
Shanaka gave credit to Buttler and England skipper Eoin Morgan who righted the innings with an excellent partnership.
The Sri Lanka skipper also acknowledged the progress made by his team in recent times.
“But credit to Jos and Morgan, the way they played they showed the experience behind them in international cricket,” Shanaka added.
“Six months back, we were not the same team. But these boys have come a long way in this tournament and am really happy about the way the boys have been fighting.”
Latest
-
News
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
England
Jofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
Women's Cricket
Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.
-
England
5 talking points as England turn attention to ODI format in a World Cup year
England have travelled to South Africa for three one-day internationals.
-
England
England captain Jos Buttler backs Jason Roy as the opener bids to find his form
Roy will open the innings alongside Dawid Malan as part of a new-look top-order in Friday’s first ODI against South Africa.
-
England
Jofra Archer set to make long-awaited England comeback against South Africa
There were minor alarms when the fast bowler was not seen at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval on Thursday.
-
Women's Cricket
It’s the right time – England bowler Katherine Brunt retires from county cricket
The 37-year-old will play in this summer’s Hundred but will not feature for the Northern Diamonds or Yorkshire.