Tom Curran bags four as Sri Lanka fold for 166

Sri Lanka put up another sub-standard batting performance as they folded for 166 in the third and final ODI against England in Bristol. There was only a single performance of note from the batting unit – with Dasun Shanaka making an unbeaten 48 – as the pacers made merry in gloomy conditions.

With rain threat around the corner, Eoin Morgan chose to chase and stick the visitors in. There were some positive signs early on as Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera scored 19 in the first two overs. But once the Sri Lanka captain chopped one back on – against Chris Woakes in the third over – the batting unit gave up in unison. Fernando fell in the sixth over to David Willey and the left-arm pacer also removed Pathum Nissanka in his next over.

Sri Lanka lost four wickets inside the powerplay with the last being Dhananjaya de Silva. He had scored 91 in the previous contest to take Sri Lanka to a fighting total but succumbed once again to the short ball by Woakes. Oshada Fernando, included in the eleven for this contest, and Wanindu Hasaranga both fell to Tom Curran to leave the side reeling at 87 for 6.

Adil Rashid’s introduction gave Dasun Shanka some confidence to play more aggressively. He hit the leg-spinner for a six but the partnership with Chamika Karunaratne never really threatened England. The pair played out 52 balls but the innings didn’t quite move forward before Tom removed Chamika Karunaratne in the 30th over. Shanaka battled on but it was a day for Curran to shine and leaves a few punches on the visitors.

There was a brief rain delay but once play resumed Dushmantha Chameera struck two boundaries to make his intentions clear. He pushed the score past 150 before being stumped against Adil Rashid. With an extremely below-par total on the board, it’s likely England will cruise to a win and collect another ten World ODI Super League points. (cricbuzz)

Brief scores when this edition went to print

Sri Lanka 166 all out in 41.1 overs (Dasun Shanaka 48 n.o.; Tom Curran 4-35)

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