Sangakkara shines in Sri Lanka win

Sri Lanka 267 for 4 (Sangakkara 86, Mathews 51*) beat England 265 (Taylor 90, Morgan 62, Herath 3-36) by six wickets

Sri Lanka edged the fourth ODI in Colombo with a six-wicket victory despite a courageous display from England who took the game to the wire.

James Taylor made 90 in his first game for England in over a year and stand-in captain Eoin Morgan added a brisk fifty at the end of the innings to set the hosts a target of 266.

Despite winning with only two balls to spare, Sri Lanka were always in control of their run-chase thanks to Kumar Sangakkara (86) who made his third consecutive half-century and shared a vital partnership with Mahela Jayawardene worth 96.

The dangerous duo antogonised England in the middle overs and, without James Tredwell, the visitors were lacking a front-line spin option to restrict the flow of runs in Sri Lanka’s innings.

England were always just off the pace but managed to take the game to the final over with some impressive seam bowling from Chris Jordan. But, in truth, conditions were better suited to spin and Moeen Ali and Joe Root were unable to match-up to their Sri Lankan counterparts.

The cool head of Angelo Mathews ensured that the hosts would take a 3-1 lead in this seven-match series as he reached his fifty with the boundary which won his side the game.

It was another game where England, as valiant as they appeared, were always playing second fiddle to their hosts. Another batting masterclass from Sangakkara and Jayawardene in the middle overs was complimented by three of Sri Lanka’s spinners claiming three wickets apiece and, in the end, England didn’t have enough runs to play with.

Morgan, standing in as captain for Alastair Cook due to a suspension for slow over rates, decided to bat first in Colombo in the hope that England might give a good account of themselves.

However, both of England’s openers were swiftly back in the pavilion with the score at 29/2 after Alex Hales was removed without scoring and Moeen (19) had fallen to Tilikaratne Dilshan.

This left a weighted responsibility on the shoulders of Taylor, playing in only his third ODI, but those who have seen him play for Nottinghamshire will know that he can be a destructive batsman.

Initially the 5ft 6in batsman led a recovery with Joe Root and the pair went on to add 93 runs for England’s third-wicket stand to put the innings back on track. Taylor brought up his maiden ODI fifty in patient fashion, taking 69 balls to reach this important milestone in his career.

The Nottinghamshire batsman had been able to settle and share responsibility with the more experienced Root as both batsmen ensured that the scoreboard kept ticking over.

England began to accelerate with a steady base now set but the introduction of Ranagana Herath proved vital for Sri Lanka as the left-arm spinner struck with the third ball of his second spell to dismiss Root for 36.

This breakthrough showed no initial signs of damage with Ravi Bopara picking up from where Root had left off. The Essex all-rounder looked in good touch and rotated the strike well in his innings of 22.

He and Taylor had nearly added a fifty partnership but the latter was denied a well deserved century when he was dismissed by Ajantha Mendis at 170/4. With just two more runs on the scoreboard Bopara handed the advantage back to Sri Lanka when he was bowled by Dilshan.

Morgan added 62 in 47 balls.

England went on to lose their final six wickets for 92 runs, with Morgan adding the bulk of these in his innings of 62. Contributions were far and few between with Jos Buttler (15) and Ben Stokes (6) failing to offer long-term support to Morgan’s search for a more impressive total.

Herath proved to be Sri Lanka’s most destructive bowler, finishing with figures of 3-36 with the wicket of Chris Woakes (6) coming in his final over at 238/8. Mendis (3-56) followed his example, also returning with three wickets as he removed Jordan for one.

England’s total at this stage was inadequate and Morgan assumed responsibility, as captain, for enhancing the total. His form has been a concern of late but perhaps the added responsibility of being captain allowed him to thrive as he reached his 22^nd ODI half-century in 42 balls.

Morgan’s innings was instrumental as he took the visitors total to 265, adding 18 runs in the concluding over of the innings before he was out off the final ball to Dilshan (3-64).

Sri Lanka’s positive start with the bat was haulted when a swipe from Dilshan was top-edged and caught well by Morgan to reward Woakes with a wicket at 28/1.

Against most teams the first breakthrough is usually a cause for celebration, but with Sangakkara walking to the middle you could sense dismay amongst England’s early elation.

Kushal Perera (31) led a progressive start to the Sri Lankan run-chase before he found an edge off Moeen at 69/2. Once again, a wicket brought with it concern as the deadly combination of Sangakkara and Jayawardene assumed control of proceedings.

It was testimony to Jordan’s efforts with the ball today that he went on to claim both of their wickets, eventually finishing with economical figures of 2-35 from his ten overs, but not before the pair had taken the game away from the tourists.

With no Tredwell in the England line-up spin options were exhausted fast and Moeen did a steady job, although he has been forced to act as England’s front-line spinner, rather than being picked on such a basis.

England’s bowling was erratic at times and the 12 wides they conceded should be criticized in a game with such fine margins, as well as the selection of Stokes, who leaked 21 runs in the only two overs he was entrusted with.

The visitors struggled to take wickets and when wickets did come they were rather fortunate. Jayawardene (44) played-on with a bottom-edge at 165/3 and Sanagakkara picked out Woakes on the fence as he was denied a 20^th ODI hundred.

But Sangakkara had already played his part, passing 1,000 ODI runs for 2014 with his 90^th fifty in this format and, even at the age of 37, shows no signs of wavering in class.

The responsibility for securing victory fell to a new Sri Lankan hero and Mathews continued a superb calendar year with another vital innings for his side.

Mathews relished the responsibility of knocking-off the remaining runs alongside Lahiru Thirimmane (19) as the pair added an unbeaten partnership worth 53 for the fifth wicket.

If Wednesday’s victory was one step forward then today was, unfortunately, two steps back. England could very well have won this game if their bowling had been more disciplined and if the right players had been selected for the conditions.

As promising as Taylor and Morgan were with the bat, several other England players continue to underwhelm in One-Day cricket, something which has to change rapidly before the World Cup.

The series continues on Wednesday in Pallekele.