Sri Lanka vs England, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Australia, 2022 Full score card

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Super 12 - Match 27, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney, 05 Nov, 2022

Sri Lanka

SL

141/8

(20.0) ov

England

ENG

144/6

(19.4) ov

England beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets

Player Of The Match

Adil Rashid,
England
England
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
England
Sri Lanka

Commentary

That is it then from this game. Action in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup continues on Sunday, the 6th of November with three crucial matches lined up. First up, South Africa will take on Netherlands in Adelaide and that game will begin at 5.30 am IST (12 am GMT). This will be followed by a clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the same ground, starting at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). The final game of the day, also the final one of the Super 12 stage will be played between India and Zimbabwe at the MCG and will begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). You can join us for the early build-up for all three games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Jos Buttler, the captain of England, says that it was not a great watch but he knew they have to find a way and he is glad that they did it in the end. He is delighted with the batting of Ben Stokes who according to him can fulfil all the roles and is a proper competitor. Adds that Sri Lanka got off to a great start but it was a good over from Adil Rashid in the Powerplay that pulled things back for them. Regarding Sam Curran, Jos replies that he keeps on growing and is becoming a fierce competitor. Praises Alex Hales for his knock and adds that one of them would have loved to stay till the end. He is excited to find a way to win this game and is looking forward to the semi-final at one of the best stadiums in the world.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that it was an amazing fight but feels that they could have done better with the bat. Adds that the pitch played a part in this game and even the English batters struggled in the latter part. Tells that they gave a good fight in the last 10 overs and it was in the Powerplay where they didn't bowl well. States that they played good cricket in patches and a few injuries didn't help their cause. Wants his team to polish the areas where they didn't do well. Praises the spinners for their good effort and also lauds the efforts of the pacers in this game. Further says that power-hitting is one area they need to get better and he is pleased with the way they have been fielding of late. Shanka thanks the colourful and wonderful spectators for supporting Sri Lanka.

Player of the Match is Adil Rashid for his economical bowling. The leggie says that it was a tight game after they bowled exceptionally well. Praises Ben Stokes for his knock and is relieved that they crossed the line. Tells that the Sri Lankan bowlers created pressure by bowling dot balls and thankfully England crossed the line. Calls it a great team effort and feels that England bowled superbly. Mentions that it's always good for the bowlers to get some assistance. States that he has felt good about his form throughout and his job is to do good for the team and as long as they are winning, it's fine even if he is not picking wickets. Thinks that they will get a fresh pitch for the semi-final and they will have to assess the conditions. Hopes to get good support in Adelaide.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and like every other captain before him, decided to bat first at the SCG. Sri Lanka were cruising through at the halfway mark but the English bowlers made a resounding comeback in the second half of the Lankan innings. Pathum Nissanka picked up his second half-century of the tournament while Adil Rashid proved to be influential for England with the ball. Mark Wood also picked up 3 wickets after being taken to the cleaners in his first over and those wickets at the death gave England all the momentum heading into the break. In reply, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales added 75 runs for the opening wicket and put England on top before the Sri Lankan spinners made a fabulous comeback by picking up regular wickets. It was Ben Stokes though who was able to stay on till the end and see his team through.

Sri Lanka have time and again proved that they can beat any side in the world and no one would have thought after the start they had with the ball that the Lankans will drag this game deep into the final over. All three of their spinners bowled well with Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picking up a couple of crucial wickets each. Lahiru Kumara also used his pace well and bagged two wickets but Sri Lanka just didn't have enough runs to play with. In the end, the batters cost them the game as 10-15 runs more could have seen them grab a win.

With just 142 runs to get, England started off firing on all cylinders as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales made their mark inside the Powerplay. Buttler fell and then once Hales got out, the English innings all of a sudden got derailed. Ben Stokes held up one end well but the likes of Brook, Livingstone and Ali couldn't add much to the total. In the end, Stokes had to use all of his experience and milk the ones and twos to get his side over the line. It was a brilliant inning under pressure from the star man but England will be mightily relieved to have got the job done, especially with injured Dawid Malan unable to bat.

A hard-fought win in the end then for England but they have made it through to the semi-finals, knocking the host nation Australia out of the tournament in the process. England won't get the top spot though as New Zealand have a better net run rate. As for Sri Lanka, they gave it their all but ended up second-best.

19.44

FOUR! ENGLAND WIN! AUSTRALIA ARE KNOCKED OUT! Woakes finishes it off and releases all the pressure in the English camp. Short in length and wide outside off, Chris Woakes stays on the back foot and whacks it through backward point. The ball races away and finds the fence to hand the ticket to the semis to England. They win by 4 wickets.

19.30

DOT BALL! Lahiru delivers a slower one, short and outside off, Woakes tries to pull but gets an under edge. It rolls behind to the keeper.

19.21

Digs it in short, around off, Stokes guides it down to third man for a single. 2 needed off 4 balls.

19.12

Kumara takes the pace off the delivery, bowls it shot and wide outside off, Stokes reaches out and slaps it to deep cover. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters complete the second run. 3 needed off 5 balls.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 137/6

B Stokes39 (34)

C Woakes1 (1)

K Rajitha3-0-40-0

18.61

Very full and on off, Stokes shuffles across and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Ben retains strike, perfect for England. 5 needed off 6 balls.

18.50

Dot ball is met with a huge roar from the crowd. A low full toss outside off, Stokes pushes it to short cover.

18.42

Fuller and on off, Stokes drives it with soft hands to the left of long off and collects another couple. 6 needed off 8 balls.

18.41wd

Wide! Smart from Stokes. Kasun Rajitha tries the wide yorker but sprays it outside the tram line. Ben leaves.

18.32

Full toss on off, Stokes whips it towards wide long on and collects a couple of runs as the fielder in the deep decides to go for a relay throw.

18.21

Slower one, on a length and around off, Woakes gets back to work it on the leg side but it takes the inner edge and strikes him on the thigh pad. The ball drops near the popping crease and they steal a single.

18.11

Yorker outside off, Stokes digs it out through mid off and runs the first run hard. That's all he will get.

Chris Woakes walks in at number 8. Dasun Shanaka takes his time and throws the ball to Kasun Rajitha for the 19th over.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 129/6

S Curran6 (11)

B Stokes33 (29)

L Kumara3-0-17-2

17.6W

OUT! Curran holes out! This game is heading towards a thrilling finish. The crowd roars. Kumara bangs it in short, slower in pace and outside off, Curran walks across the stumps to get inside the line and swings his bat at it. The bounce gets big on him and the ball flies off the top edge to fine leg where Kasun Rajitha takes a fine diving catch inches ahead of the boundary line. 13 needed off 12 balls.

17.51

Off pace this time, short and wide outside off, Stokes hangs back and has to reach out for it. He pushes it off the toe end to mid off and picks up a single.

17.41

Pacy short ball, following the batter down the leg side, Curran still manages to make some room and ramps it down to third man for a single.

17.30

Three dots now. Shortish and outside off, pace on, Sam plays it down from the crease to point. 15 needed off 15 balls.

17.20

Back of a length, outside off and angling away, Curran taps it down towards backward point where the fielder makes a diving stop. Two dots.

17.10

Fuller and around off, Curran plays it from the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

Lahiru Kumara (2-0-15-1) is back on.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 127/5

B Stokes32 (28)

S Curran5 (6)

M Theekshana4-0-22-0

16.60

Short and wide outside off, Stokes punches it without any timing to short cover. 15 needed off 18 balls.

16.52

Quicker and around leg, Stokes stays deep inside the crease and turns it through square leg for two.

Commentary

We're back! The men concerned are out in the middle. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales are the English openers and their aim will be to get a strong start in the Powerplay to put the chase to bed. Can they do it? Sri Lanka, as expected, are beginning with a spinner. Maheesh Theekshana to bowl. Here we go...

... CHASE BEGINS ...

Right then, no team has chased down a target at this venue so far but England are in the driver's seat with just 142 runs to get. Sri Lanka will have to bowl out of their skins to defend this total but the pressure will be on the English batters as a semi-final spot is on the line for them. Will Sri Lanka be able to conjure up an upset? We shall find out soon as the run chase is up next.

Adil Rashid (4-0-16-1) is up for a chat. The leggie says that they did exceptionally well after the Sri Lankan batters batted aggressively in the first six overs. Feels that England have done a good job to restrict Sri Lanka. Adds that in T20 cricket, one-two good overs can change things quickly and they made a strong comeback. Shares that the pitch is a bit slower than other pitches in Australia. On his lack of wickets in this edition, Rashid replies that he has been bowling well in the nets and that sometimes you bowl well but do not get wickets which is fine.

The English bowling blew hot and cold in the Powerplay but then they got their act together. The first 10 overs in a way belonged to Sri Lanka who had prepared a strong platform but England picked six wickets in the next 10 overs and gave away only 61 runs to completely puncture Sri Lanka's charge. Mark Wood left his impact with a 3-fer and overall the Three Lions will be pleased with their effort on the field.

A resounding comeback from England! They were under the pump initiallPathum Nissanka going great guns and scoring biggies for fun. After the field restriction was lifted, the English bowlers started to exert some pressure and the four overs of Adil Rashid were crucial in piling on the pressure. The wickets also tumbled at regular intervals and if we take out Nissanka's fluent knock, there wasn't much fight in the Lankan batting.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 141/8

C Karunaratne0 (2)

M Theekshana0 (0)

M Wood3-0-26-3

19.6W

OUT! TAKEN! Mark Wood finishes off the innings in style. Full and around off stump at 154 clicks. Chamika Karunaratne stays deep in the crease and looks to go big across the line. Karunaratne is undone by the pace and the ball ends up getting sliced aerially towards third man. Alex Hales makes no mistake over there and Sri Lanka finish with 141/8 on the board.

Maheesh Theekshana is in next.

19.5W

OUT! RUN OUT! A dot ball for England and a wicket as well. Mark Wood keeps the pace up and serves it on a hard length outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga backs away and looks to slap it away but misses. The batters try to sneak in a bye but Jos Buttler collects the ball and throws it back to Wood. Hasaranga puts in the dive as Wood stretches out and dives as well to dislodge the bails. It is checked by the third umpire and replays show that Hasaranga is just short.

19.40

Nicely bowled! A pacy bumper, following the batter who tried to back away. Wanindu Hasaranga has a go at it but fails to get any bat on it.

19.31lb

Leg bye! On a hard length, outside off. Chamika Karunaratne looks to shuffle across and flick it behind square but misses. The ball comes off the thigh pad and goes onto the off side. The batters scamper through for a leg bye.

Chamika Karunaratne walks in next.

19.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Wood cranks up the pace and gets rid of Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Wood bowls a heavy ball around 152 clicks and keeps it close to the off pole line. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to take it on and clubs it over mid on but gets it off the higher part of the bat. The ball lobs up and towards mid on where Sam Curran takes a simple catch. Wood gets his second and Sri Lanka lose their sixth.

19.14

FOUR! Good cricket all-around but it will be a boundary. Good length, outside off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa stands tall and blasts it through covers. Liam Livingstone sprints to his left from the backward point fence and puts in the dive but is unable to cut it off cleanly.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 136/5

W Hasaranga9 (7)

B Rajapaksa18 (20)

S Curran4-0-27-1

18.62

Full and at the stumps, this is heaved away through wide mid on for a couple of runs. Can Sri Lanka manage to get to 150 from here?

18.54

FOUR! Fortuitous but Wanindu Hasaranga and Sri Lanka will take it. Hasaranga pre-meditates and shuffles past the off stump. Curran finds the yorker on middle and leg but Hasaranga gets an inside edge that goes through his legs and into the fine leg fence.

18.40

Swing and a miss! Slower one, angling it across the off stump. Hasaranga backs away and has a swipe across the line but is undone by the lack of pace.

18.30

Another top delivery from Sam Curran as he finds the blockhole around off stump. Wanindu Hasaranga can only manage to dig it out back to the bowler.

18.22

On a hard length and slanted across the right-hander. Wanindu Hasaranga slashes it away in front of the man at sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

18.10

A touch slower and in the blockhole outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to jam it out but fails to get any bat on it.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 128/5

W Hasaranga1 (1)

B Rajapaksa18 (20)

M Wood2-0-22-1

17.61

Wood hits the deck hard and angles it at the body. Wanindu Hasaranga hops and dabs it down towards point for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the new batter.

17.5W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mark Wood strikes now as another one bites the dust for Sri Lanka. Back of a length, around off and at 147 clicks. Dasun Shanaka stays leg side of the ball and just looks to use the pace and guide it away. Shanaka gets stuck at the crease and the ball just caresses the outside edge before going into the assured gloves of Jos Buttler behind the stumps. With the boundaries drying up, Sri Lanka are now finding it difficult to hit the top gear.

17.41

Banged in short, at 144 clicks and over leg stump. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to pull but gets it off the under edge and the ball goes towards fine leg. Just another single then.

17.41wd

WIDE! Wood looks to attack the pads but spills it well down the leg side. A wide is called.

17.31

Short of a length, at 147 clicks and hurrying onto the batter. Dasun Shanaka is able to jab it away through mid-wicket for a single.

17.21

Another pacy bouncer from Wood, slanted across the left-hander. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to muscle it away but gets a top edge on it. The ball goes on the bounce to the fielder at third man as the batters pick up a single.

17.10

Wood starts off with a bumper at 142 clicks and keeps it around the off pole. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to take it on but is well beaten.

Mark Wood is unleashed into the attack at the death. His first over went for 17 runs. Can he redeem himself?

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 123/4

D Shanaka2 (6)

B Rajapaksa16 (17)

S Curran3-0-19-1

16.60

And again! Three dots in a row to close out the over by Sam Curran. Curran nails the wide yorker yet again as the ball lands just inside the tramline outside off. Dasun Shanaka cannot get a bat on it.

England
Sri Lanka
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
J Buttler

c C Karunaratne b W Hasaranga

28 23 2 1 121.73
A Hales

c & b W Hasaranga

47 30 7 1 156.66
B Stokes

not out

42 36 2 0 116.66
H Brook

c & b de Silva

4 5 0 0 80
L Livingstone

c de Silva b L Kumara

4 6 0 0 66.66
M Ali

c D Shanaka b de Silva

1 5 0 0 20
S Curran

c K Rajitha b L Kumara

6 11 0 0 54.54
C Woakes

not out

5 3 1 0 166.66
Extras

(b 0,lb 3,w 3,nb 1,Penalty 0)

7
Total 19.4 (RR: 7.32)
144/6

Did not bat: D Malan, A Rashid, M Wood

Fall of wickets:

(J Buttler, 7.2 ov) (A Hales, 9.1 ov) (H Brook, 11 ov) (L Livingstone, 13.1 ov) (M Ali, 14.3 ov) (S Curran, 18 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Theekshana
4 0 22 0 5.50
K Rajitha
3 0 40 0 13.33
L Kumara
3.4 0 24 2 6.54
W Hasaranga
4 0 23 2 5.75
de Silva
4 0 24 2 6.00
C Asalanka
1 0 8 0 8.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
P Nissanka

c sub C Jordan b A Rashid

67 45 2 5 148.88
K Mendis

c L Livingstone b C Woakes

18 14 1 1 128.57
de Silva

c B Stokes b S Curran

9 11 0 0 81.81
C Asalanka

c D Malan b B Stokes

8 9 0 0 88.88
B Rajapaksa

c S Curran b M Wood

22 22 3 0 100
D Shanaka

c J Buttler b M Wood

3 8 0 0 37.50
W Hasaranga

run out (J Buttler / M Wood)

9 9 1 0 100
C Karunaratne

c A Hales b M Wood

0 2 0 0 0
M Theekshana

not out

0 0 0 0
Extras

(b 0,lb 3,w 2,nb 0,Penalty 0)

5
Total 20.0 (RR: 7.05)
141/8

Did not bat: L Kumara, K Rajitha

Fall of wickets:

(K Mendis, 4 ov) (de Silva, 8.2 ov) (C Asalanka, 10.4 ov) (P Nissanka, 15.3 ov) (D Shanaka, 17.5 ov) (B Rajapaksa, 19.2 ov) (W Hasaranga, 19.5 ov) (C Karunaratne, 20 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
B Stokes
3 0 24 1 8.00
C Woakes
3 0 24 1 8.00
M Wood
3 0 26 3 8.66
S Curran
4 0 27 1 6.75
A Rashid
4 0 16 1 4.00
L Livingstone
2 0 16 0 8.00
M Ali
1 0 5 0 5.00
England
Sri Lanka

Commentary

That is it then from this game. Action in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup continues on Sunday, the 6th of November with three crucial matches lined up. First up, South Africa will take on Netherlands in Adelaide and that game will begin at 5.30 am IST (12 am GMT). This will be followed by a clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the same ground, starting at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). The final game of the day, also the final one of the Super 12 stage will be played between India and Zimbabwe at the MCG and will begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). You can join us for the early build-up for all three games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Jos Buttler, the captain of England, says that it was not a great watch but he knew they have to find a way and he is glad that they did it in the end. He is delighted with the batting of Ben Stokes who according to him can fulfil all the roles and is a proper competitor. Adds that Sri Lanka got off to a great start but it was a good over from Adil Rashid in the Powerplay that pulled things back for them. Regarding Sam Curran, Jos replies that he keeps on growing and is becoming a fierce competitor. Praises Alex Hales for his knock and adds that one of them would have loved to stay till the end. He is excited to find a way to win this game and is looking forward to the semi-final at one of the best stadiums in the world.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that it was an amazing fight but feels that they could have done better with the bat. Adds that the pitch played a part in this game and even the English batters struggled in the latter part. Tells that they gave a good fight in the last 10 overs and it was in the Powerplay where they didn't bowl well. States that they played good cricket in patches and a few injuries didn't help their cause. Wants his team to polish the areas where they didn't do well. Praises the spinners for their good effort and also lauds the efforts of the pacers in this game. Further says that power-hitting is one area they need to get better and he is pleased with the way they have been fielding of late. Shanka thanks the colourful and wonderful spectators for supporting Sri Lanka.

Player of the Match is Adil Rashid for his economical bowling. The leggie says that it was a tight game after they bowled exceptionally well. Praises Ben Stokes for his knock and is relieved that they crossed the line. Tells that the Sri Lankan bowlers created pressure by bowling dot balls and thankfully England crossed the line. Calls it a great team effort and feels that England bowled superbly. Mentions that it's always good for the bowlers to get some assistance. States that he has felt good about his form throughout and his job is to do good for the team and as long as they are winning, it's fine even if he is not picking wickets. Thinks that they will get a fresh pitch for the semi-final and they will have to assess the conditions. Hopes to get good support in Adelaide.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and like every other captain before him, decided to bat first at the SCG. Sri Lanka were cruising through at the halfway mark but the English bowlers made a resounding comeback in the second half of the Lankan innings. Pathum Nissanka picked up his second half-century of the tournament while Adil Rashid proved to be influential for England with the ball. Mark Wood also picked up 3 wickets after being taken to the cleaners in his first over and those wickets at the death gave England all the momentum heading into the break. In reply, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales added 75 runs for the opening wicket and put England on top before the Sri Lankan spinners made a fabulous comeback by picking up regular wickets. It was Ben Stokes though who was able to stay on till the end and see his team through.

Sri Lanka have time and again proved that they can beat any side in the world and no one would have thought after the start they had with the ball that the Lankans will drag this game deep into the final over. All three of their spinners bowled well with Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picking up a couple of crucial wickets each. Lahiru Kumara also used his pace well and bagged two wickets but Sri Lanka just didn't have enough runs to play with. In the end, the batters cost them the game as 10-15 runs more could have seen them grab a win.

With just 142 runs to get, England started off firing on all cylinders as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales made their mark inside the Powerplay. Buttler fell and then once Hales got out, the English innings all of a sudden got derailed. Ben Stokes held up one end well but the likes of Brook, Livingstone and Ali couldn't add much to the total. In the end, Stokes had to use all of his experience and milk the ones and twos to get his side over the line. It was a brilliant inning under pressure from the star man but England will be mightily relieved to have got the job done, especially with injured Dawid Malan unable to bat.

A hard-fought win in the end then for England but they have made it through to the semi-finals, knocking the host nation Australia out of the tournament in the process. England won't get the top spot though as New Zealand have a better net run rate. As for Sri Lanka, they gave it their all but ended up second-best.

19.44

FOUR! ENGLAND WIN! AUSTRALIA ARE KNOCKED OUT! Woakes finishes it off and releases all the pressure in the English camp. Short in length and wide outside off, Chris Woakes stays on the back foot and whacks it through backward point. The ball races away and finds the fence to hand the ticket to the semis to England. They win by 4 wickets.

19.30

DOT BALL! Lahiru delivers a slower one, short and outside off, Woakes tries to pull but gets an under edge. It rolls behind to the keeper.

19.21

Digs it in short, around off, Stokes guides it down to third man for a single. 2 needed off 4 balls.

19.12

Kumara takes the pace off the delivery, bowls it shot and wide outside off, Stokes reaches out and slaps it to deep cover. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters complete the second run. 3 needed off 5 balls.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 137/6

B Stokes39 (34)

C Woakes1 (1)

K Rajitha3-0-40-0

18.61

Very full and on off, Stokes shuffles across and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Ben retains strike, perfect for England. 5 needed off 6 balls.

18.50

Dot ball is met with a huge roar from the crowd. A low full toss outside off, Stokes pushes it to short cover.

18.42

Fuller and on off, Stokes drives it with soft hands to the left of long off and collects another couple. 6 needed off 8 balls.

18.41wd

Wide! Smart from Stokes. Kasun Rajitha tries the wide yorker but sprays it outside the tram line. Ben leaves.

18.32

Full toss on off, Stokes whips it towards wide long on and collects a couple of runs as the fielder in the deep decides to go for a relay throw.

18.21

Slower one, on a length and around off, Woakes gets back to work it on the leg side but it takes the inner edge and strikes him on the thigh pad. The ball drops near the popping crease and they steal a single.

18.11

Yorker outside off, Stokes digs it out through mid off and runs the first run hard. That's all he will get.

Chris Woakes walks in at number 8. Dasun Shanaka takes his time and throws the ball to Kasun Rajitha for the 19th over.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 129/6

S Curran6 (11)

B Stokes33 (29)

L Kumara3-0-17-2

17.6W

OUT! Curran holes out! This game is heading towards a thrilling finish. The crowd roars. Kumara bangs it in short, slower in pace and outside off, Curran walks across the stumps to get inside the line and swings his bat at it. The bounce gets big on him and the ball flies off the top edge to fine leg where Kasun Rajitha takes a fine diving catch inches ahead of the boundary line. 13 needed off 12 balls.

17.51

Off pace this time, short and wide outside off, Stokes hangs back and has to reach out for it. He pushes it off the toe end to mid off and picks up a single.

17.41

Pacy short ball, following the batter down the leg side, Curran still manages to make some room and ramps it down to third man for a single.

17.30

Three dots now. Shortish and outside off, pace on, Sam plays it down from the crease to point. 15 needed off 15 balls.

17.20

Back of a length, outside off and angling away, Curran taps it down towards backward point where the fielder makes a diving stop. Two dots.

17.10

Fuller and around off, Curran plays it from the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

Lahiru Kumara (2-0-15-1) is back on.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 127/5

B Stokes32 (28)

S Curran5 (6)

M Theekshana4-0-22-0

16.60

Short and wide outside off, Stokes punches it without any timing to short cover. 15 needed off 18 balls.

16.52

Quicker and around leg, Stokes stays deep inside the crease and turns it through square leg for two.

16.40

Skidding in from around off, Stokes tries to reverse sweep but gets hit on the gloves. It goes behind on the bounce to the keeper.

16.41wd

Wide! Sliding down the leg side, Stokes fails to flick and it's a good take by Mendis.

16.31

Skidding in from around off, Curran gently works it through square leg and rotates the strike.

16.21

Short and on off, punched down to long off for a run.

16.11

Quicker one on the pads, it's whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single. That's all England need to do at the moment.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 121/5

S Curran3 (4)

B Stokes29 (24)

C Asalanka1-0-8-0

15.61

Fullish and on off, Curran wrists it down through mid on and milks another single.

15.51

Charith drops it short and wide outside off, Stokes goes back and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

15.41

Flighted and full on off, Sam drives it down to long off for a run.

15.30

Slightly short and on off, Curran punches from the crease but finds covers.

15.21

A touch short and on off, Ben goes back and forces it to deep point for one. 24 needed off 28 balls.

15.14

FOUR! Aerial but wide of the fielder! Flatter and shorter outside off, Stokes camps back and blazes it through extra cover for a cracking boundary.

Charith Asalanka comes into the attack.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 113/5

B Stokes23 (21)

S Curran1 (1)

de Silva4-0-24-2

14.61

Around off, Stokes shows the full face of the bat and knocks it down to long off for a single.

14.50

Flatter delivery, around off, Ben Stokes cuts it away towards point.

14.41

This is full and on off stump, pushed down to long on for a single.

A flurry of wickets and Sri Lanka have reignited hopes in the Australian camp. In comes Sam Curran to partner Ben Stokes. Just a reminder that Dawid Malan is injured and hence dropping down in the batting order. Still unsure whether he will bat or not, if needed.

14.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! A very soft dismissal and England have now lost their 5th wicket. Dhananjaya de Silva flights this one up nicely, on a nagging length and around off stump. Moeen Ali looks to drive it through covers but tries to pull out of the shot. In the end, Ali just chips it to the left of the man at short cover and Dasun Shanaka over there takes a sharp catch. Ali departs cheaply and England still need 31 runs off 33 balls with 5 wickets in hand.

14.20

Flighted delivery, around off, Ali strokes it away towards cover.

14.11

Dhananjaya de Silva drifts this one in full and on leg stump. Ben Stokes drives it through mid off and collects a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 110/4

B Stokes21 (18)

M Ali1 (3)

L Kumara2-0-15-1

13.61

Nicely fielded! Around the top of off, Ben Stokes chops it to the right of the man at backward point who makes a good diving stop. Just the single then. 32 needed off 36 balls.

13.52lb

TWO LEG BYES! Easily done in the end. Good length, around leg stump, Ben Stokes looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pads and towards the vacant square leg region as the batters complete a couple of leg byes.

13.41

A good short ball, over middle and hurrying onto the batter. Moeen Ali plays a controlled pull shot just in front of square on the leg side and picks up a single.

13.30

Full and on off stump, Ali strokes it away to short extra cover.

13.20

Good length, around off, Moeen Ali taps it straight to cover-point.

Moeen Ali is the next batter.

13.1W

OUT! TAKEN! Lahiru Kumara strikes on his very first delivery after coming back into the attack. On a length and outside off, Liam Livingstone stays put and just opens up his arms as he looks to big downtown. Livingstone has to reach for it a bit and gets it off the toe end of the bat. The ball goes high and straight down the ground. Dhananjaya de Silva runs to his left from long on and keeps his eyes on the ball before completing a brilliant catch. Livingstone perishes early as well and England are making a mess of things here.

Change in bowling. Lahiru Kumara is back into the attack.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 106/3

L Livingstone4 (5)

B Stokes20 (16)

de Silva3-0-21-1

12.61

Around middle and leg, Liam Livingstone wrists it away through mid-wicket for a run. 36 needed now off 42 balls.

12.51

Drops it a bit short now and Ben Stokes backs away before punching it through extra cover for yet another single.

12.41

On the pads, easily worked away on the leg side by Liam Livingstone for one more.

12.33

Lofted away but in the gap. Nicely tossed up around off, Ben Stokes goes inside-out and lofts it over extra cover. The man from long off tries to get around but the ball falls safely. The fielder manages to keep the ball in play as the batters come back for the third run with ease.

12.21

Floated up, full and on the pads, Livingstone works it 'round the corner for a run.

12.11

On middle and leg, this is heaved away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 98/3

L Livingstone1 (2)

B Stokes15 (13)

W Hasaranga4-0-23-2

11.60

A dot to end and Wanindu Hasaranga finishes with figures of 4-0-23-2. This is flatter and around off, Liam Livingstone pushes it out on the off side.

11.51

A bit of hesitation but they manage to scamper through in the end. Good length, around off and punched away straight towards cover for a quick run.

11.42

Just a fraction shorter and turning in from around off, Ben Stokes rocks back and punches it through extra cover for a couple of runs.

11.31

Nagging length, on off stump, Liam Livingstone presses forward and pushes it past the man at silly mid on for one more.

11.21

This is floated up full and around off, Stokes drives it down to long off for a run.

11.10

Shorter and on the pads, Stokes works it off the back foot towards square leg.

Liam Livingstone arrives. 49 needed off 54 balls.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 93/3

H Brook4 (5)

B Stokes11 (9)

de Silva2-0-13-1

10.6W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! A sharp return catch by Dhananjaya de Silva and England lose their third. De Silva gives it a nice loop and bowls it on leg. Harry Brook looks to come forward and drive straight but the ball just holds in the surface a bit. Brook ends up just pushing it uppishly to the right of the bowler who takes a good low catch to that side. Harry Brook departs cheaply and Sri Lanka keep on chipping away with timely wickets.

10.51

On middle and leg, Stokes leans on and knocks it down to long on for a single.

10.44

FOUR! Firmly struck and will beat the man into the fence. This is fired in full and wide, Ben Stokes stays deep and creams it in front of cover-point for a boundary. The fielder puts in a dive in the deep but fails to stop the ball cleanly.

10.30

Nicely flighted, outside off, Ben Stokes looks to sweep against the turn but is well beaten. A bit of an extra bounce on that occasion as well.

10.21

Around leg stump, Harry Brook goes deep in his crease to flick it towards deep square leg. Brook looks to come back for the second but is sent back by Stokes.

10.11

Angles it in full and on middle and leg. Ben Stokes pushes it down to long on and rotates the strike.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 86/2

B Stokes5 (5)

H Brook3 (3)

W Hasaranga3-0-18-2

9.61

Flighted and around leg, Stokes brings out the reverse sweep and sends it to deep point for one. 56 needed more at the halfway mark.

9.50

Quicker and on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

9.41

Shortish on off, turning in, punched to sweeper cover for one.

9.30

Ufff...that misses the off pole by a whisker. Flighted one, full and around off, Brook tries to play the reverse-batted shot but fails to get the connection right. It takes the inside portion of the bat and rolls closely past the off stump.

9.22

Loopy and full, around off, Harry takes a step forward and drives it through extra cover for two.

Drinks break! England were cruising through this run chase and looked to be gunning down the target with plenty of overs to spare. Now the Sri Lankan spinners have started to boss the game and England have lost both their openers. Still, with just 60 runs to get with less than run-a-ball required, England are the firm favourite. Harry Brook walks out to bat.

9.1W

OUT! Caught and bowled! That's a soft dismissal for Hales. Floated one, full and around off, Hales sits down for a big slog sweep across the line but it comes off from the cue end of the bat and loops back to the bowler. A simple catch for Wanindu Hasaranga and Alex Hales is dejected. He departs for 47 but his knock has put England on top.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 82/1

B Stokes4 (3)

A Hales47 (29)

de Silva1-0-6-0

8.62

Flatter and shorter on off, Stokes goes deep inside the crease and forces it to wide long off. They get two.

8.51

Knocks a full ball down to long on to rotate the strike.

8.40

Nearly drags it on. Googly, outside off, Hales makes room to slap it through the line but gets a fat inside edge onto the pads.

8.32

Skips down the track and nearly yorks himself. Hales does well to hit it over the bowler and picks up a couple.

8.20

On middle, pushed back to the bowler.

8.11

Tossed up around off, fuller in length, driven to long off for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to roll his arm now.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 76/1

A Hales44 (25)

B Stokes1 (1)

W Hasaranga2-0-14-1

7.60

Floated and full, around off, Hales defends it back off the front foot.

7.50

Quicker one, around leg, Hales goes down to sweep but fails to connect and is hit on the back thigh pad.

7.40

Around middle, Hales helps it to mid-wicket.

7.31

Flighted and full on off, Stokes pushes it gently to point for one.

Ben Stokes walks in at number 3.

7.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! A stunning diving catch from Chamika Karunaratne. A wrong 'un from Hasaranga, around off and fuller in length, Buttler tries to swipe across the line but it comes off from the lower part of his bat and flies towards deep mid-wicket. Chamika Karunaratne, in the deep, reacts to his right, takes a start and then puts in a full-length dive to grab a ripper of a catch. Buttler is gone but England are in front. 67 needed off 76 balls.

7.11

Gets behind the line and eases it towards long on for a run.

Spin from both ends as Wanindu Hasaranga is brought back into the attack.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 74/0

J Buttler28 (22)

A Hales43 (21)

M Theekshana3-0-16-0

6.62

Loopy and full, outside off, Jos drives it through cover-point and collects a couple of runs.

6.51

Another punch off the back foot, this time down to long on for a run.

6.40

Quicker and on middle, Hales camps back and punches it towards the bowler who stops it to his right.

6.31

Flighted this time, full and around leg, it's clipped wide of mid-wicket for a single.

6.20

Flatter and shorter on middle, punched off the back foot to short mid-wicket again.

6.10

Tossed up around off, helped off the front foot to short mid-wicket.

Maheesh Theekshana (2-0-12-0) is back on.

Runs Scored 20 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 70/0

A Hales42 (19)

J Buttler25 (18)

K Rajitha2-0-32-0

5.64

FOUR! Bang! Hales stands his ground and fires this one over mid off for yet another boundary in this over. 20 from the over. At the end of the Powerplay, England have raced away to 70 for no loss.

5.50

Appeal for a caught behind! Very full and wide outside off, Hales tries to squeeze it out but misses. There is some sound and the keeper appeals but nothing from the umpire. Dasun Shanaka takes a late decision to go for the DRS. The UltraEdge detects a spike but it seems to be off the bat touching the turf. No conclusive evidence and the on-field decision stays.

5.44

FOUR! England are cruising. A low full toss, around middle, once again Alex Hales clears his front leg and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 76 needed off 86 balls.

5.34

FOUR! Boom! Too full in length around off, Hales clears his front leg and drills it down to long on for a boundary.

5.26

SIX! England are motoring and the defending champions would have started to pack their bags. Back of a length, around off, Hales stands his ground and clobbers it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

5.12

Slower one, on middle, worked wide of long on for two.

Kasun Rajitha returns to bowl his second and final over of the Powerplay.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 50/0

J Buttler25 (18)

A Hales22 (13)

W Hasaranga1-0-12-0

4.66

SIX! BOOM! 50 up for England in no time. Tossed up, full and outside off, Jos Buttler gets down low and drags the slog-sweep over the long on fence for a maximum.

4.54

FOUR! Just a fraction short and Jos Buttler pounces on it. This is outside off and turning away, Buttler rocks back and slaps it away into the cover fence.

4.40

Floats it up again, a bit fuller and on middle and leg. Jos Buttler checks his shot and ends up blocking it out.

4.31

Nicely tossed up, on off stump and Alex Hales just eases it down to long off for a run.

4.21

On the shorter side and on middle and leg, this is played off the back foot and through mid-wicket for a single.

4.10

Hasaranga starts off with a floated delivery, full and around off, Buttler pushes it out with the turn and towards cover.

Wanindu Hasaranga is introduced into the attack inside the Powerplay.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 38/0

J Buttler14 (13)

A Hales21 (12)

L Kumara1-0-13-0

3.61lb

Ouch, that must have hurt! On a good length, at 141 clicks and angling in from around off. Buttler looks to pull but gets hurried on and takes a blow to the midriff. The ball rolls onto the off side and they do get a leg bye.

3.52

In the air...safe! Length ball on off stump, Jos Buttler lifts this one high in the night sky and well over mid on. Bhanuka Rajapaksa from inside the circle runs back but could never get under it. The ball falls safely beyond him and the batters pick up a couple of runs.

3.41

Back of a length and around off, Alex Hales goes hard at it and ends up slicing it on the bounce to the man at third man for just a single.

3.45nb

NO BALL AND FOUR! Just the start England were looking for. This is full and on the pads, Alex Hales gets inside the line of the ball and whips it away into the backward square leg fence. Kumara has overstepped and a Free Hit will follow.

3.34

FOUR! Easily dispatched. Kumara pitches it up on off, Hales stays rooted to his crease and lofts it right back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

3.20

Pacy delivery, on a hard length and around off. Alex Hales backs away as he looks to open up the off side field but is beaten for pace.

3.11

Half a stop and they will get the single. Lahiru Kumara starts off with a short ball around off, Jos Buttler stands tall and slaps it towards short extra cover where a fumble allows him to get across.

Lahiru Kumara is ready to steam in now.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 24/0

A Hales12 (8)

J Buttler11 (10)

M Theekshana2-0-12-0

2.60

Theekshana fires it in again and finds the blockhole this time. Alex Hales can only manage to jam it back to the bowler.

2.51

Full and outside off, this is sliced away towards backward point for a quick single.

2.42

Theekshana bowls it shorter and on leg stump, Buttler works it away off his hips and past square leg for yet another brace.

2.34

FOUR! This is fired in full and at the stumps, Jos Buttler just creams the straight drive and beats the diving man at mid off to find the boundary.

2.22

This is on the pads, Jos Buttler works it away towards fine leg and picks up a couple of runs.

2.10

Another brilliant delivery from Theekshana. Quicker one, on a nagging length and on middle stump. Jos Buttler looks to play it off the back foot but misses and the keeper fails to collect the ball as well. Theekshana thinks there was an edge on it again but the replays confirm that there was no bat involved.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 15/0

A Hales12 (7)

J Buttler2 (5)

K Rajitha1-0-12-0

1.60

Full and on off stump, this is nicely driven but straight towards mid off.

1.54

FOUR! Pace off from Kasun Rajitha, pitched up and around the off stump. Alex Hales frees his arms and lofts it over covers for yet another boundary.

1.51wd

WIDE! An attempted slower delivery, it's spilled well down the leg side and a wide is called.

1.44

FOUR! Top shot from Alex Hales. Just a regulation length ball angled into leg stump, Hales backs away and plays the lofted drive over mid off to bring up the first boundary of the innings.

1.32

Excellent running! Good length, angling into middle and leg, Alex Hales tucks it away in front of mid-wicket and races back for the second run.

1.21

On a good length and at the body, this is worked away onto the leg side for a single.

1.10

Kasun Rajitha starts off with a back-of-a-length delivery around off. Jos Buttler punches this one off the back foot and towards mid off.

Kasun Rajitha to steam in from the other end.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 3/0

A Hales2 (3)

J Buttler1 (3)

M Theekshana1-0-3-0

0.60

Was there a slight tickle on it? The reactions say that indeed there was an edge. This is darted in by Theekshana around off stump. Hales goes on the back foot and looks to cut but gets a feather on it. The keeper, Kusal Mendis puts it down and that is a big let-off. End of the first over, just 3 runs off it.

0.50

Quicker from Theekshana, delivered on a nagging length around off. Alex Hales goes on the back foot and manages to keep it out on the off side.

0.42

A friendly full toss for Alex Hales to get off the mark. This is on the leg stump and is flicked away through square leg for a couple of runs.

0.31

Jos Buttler and England are now underway. Just a fraction shorter and on the pads, Buttler tucks it away behind square on the leg side for a single.

0.20

And again! Another in-drifter from Theekshana and this is pushed away towards mid off this time.

0.10

Theekshana starts off with an in-drifter, full and curving into off stump. Jos Buttler drives it firmly but straight to the man at extra cover.

Commentary

We're back! The men concerned are out in the middle. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales are the English openers and their aim will be to get a strong start in the Powerplay to put the chase to bed. Can they do it? Sri Lanka, as expected, are beginning with a spinner. Maheesh Theekshana to bowl. Here we go...

... CHASE BEGINS ...

Right then, no team has chased down a target at this venue so far but England are in the driver's seat with just 142 runs to get. Sri Lanka will have to bowl out of their skins to defend this total but the pressure will be on the English batters as a semi-final spot is on the line for them. Will Sri Lanka be able to conjure up an upset? We shall find out soon as the run chase is up next.

Adil Rashid (4-0-16-1) is up for a chat. The leggie says that they did exceptionally well after the Sri Lankan batters batted aggressively in the first six overs. Feels that England have done a good job to restrict Sri Lanka. Adds that in T20 cricket, one-two good overs can change things quickly and they made a strong comeback. Shares that the pitch is a bit slower than other pitches in Australia. On his lack of wickets in this edition, Rashid replies that he has been bowling well in the nets and that sometimes you bowl well but do not get wickets which is fine.

The English bowling blew hot and cold in the Powerplay but then they got their act together. The first 10 overs in a way belonged to Sri Lanka who had prepared a strong platform but England picked six wickets in the next 10 overs and gave away only 61 runs to completely puncture Sri Lanka's charge. Mark Wood left his impact with a 3-fer and overall the Three Lions will be pleased with their effort on the field.

A resounding comeback from England! They were under the pump initiallPathum Nissanka going great guns and scoring biggies for fun. After the field restriction was lifted, the English bowlers started to exert some pressure and the four overs of Adil Rashid were crucial in piling on the pressure. The wickets also tumbled at regular intervals and if we take out Nissanka's fluent knock, there wasn't much fight in the Lankan batting.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 141/8

C Karunaratne0 (2)

M Theekshana0 (0)

M Wood3-0-26-3

19.6W

OUT! TAKEN! Mark Wood finishes off the innings in style. Full and around off stump at 154 clicks. Chamika Karunaratne stays deep in the crease and looks to go big across the line. Karunaratne is undone by the pace and the ball ends up getting sliced aerially towards third man. Alex Hales makes no mistake over there and Sri Lanka finish with 141/8 on the board.

Maheesh Theekshana is in next.

19.5W

OUT! RUN OUT! A dot ball for England and a wicket as well. Mark Wood keeps the pace up and serves it on a hard length outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga backs away and looks to slap it away but misses. The batters try to sneak in a bye but Jos Buttler collects the ball and throws it back to Wood. Hasaranga puts in the dive as Wood stretches out and dives as well to dislodge the bails. It is checked by the third umpire and replays show that Hasaranga is just short.

19.40

Nicely bowled! A pacy bumper, following the batter who tried to back away. Wanindu Hasaranga has a go at it but fails to get any bat on it.

19.31lb

Leg bye! On a hard length, outside off. Chamika Karunaratne looks to shuffle across and flick it behind square but misses. The ball comes off the thigh pad and goes onto the off side. The batters scamper through for a leg bye.

Chamika Karunaratne walks in next.

19.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Wood cranks up the pace and gets rid of Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Wood bowls a heavy ball around 152 clicks and keeps it close to the off pole line. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to take it on and clubs it over mid on but gets it off the higher part of the bat. The ball lobs up and towards mid on where Sam Curran takes a simple catch. Wood gets his second and Sri Lanka lose their sixth.

19.14

FOUR! Good cricket all-around but it will be a boundary. Good length, outside off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa stands tall and blasts it through covers. Liam Livingstone sprints to his left from the backward point fence and puts in the dive but is unable to cut it off cleanly.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 136/5

W Hasaranga9 (7)

B Rajapaksa18 (20)

S Curran4-0-27-1

18.62

Full and at the stumps, this is heaved away through wide mid on for a couple of runs. Can Sri Lanka manage to get to 150 from here?

18.54

FOUR! Fortuitous but Wanindu Hasaranga and Sri Lanka will take it. Hasaranga pre-meditates and shuffles past the off stump. Curran finds the yorker on middle and leg but Hasaranga gets an inside edge that goes through his legs and into the fine leg fence.

18.40

Swing and a miss! Slower one, angling it across the off stump. Hasaranga backs away and has a swipe across the line but is undone by the lack of pace.

18.30

Another top delivery from Sam Curran as he finds the blockhole around off stump. Wanindu Hasaranga can only manage to dig it out back to the bowler.

18.22

On a hard length and slanted across the right-hander. Wanindu Hasaranga slashes it away in front of the man at sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

18.10

A touch slower and in the blockhole outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to jam it out but fails to get any bat on it.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 128/5

W Hasaranga1 (1)

B Rajapaksa18 (20)

M Wood2-0-22-1

17.61

Wood hits the deck hard and angles it at the body. Wanindu Hasaranga hops and dabs it down towards point for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the new batter.

17.5W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mark Wood strikes now as another one bites the dust for Sri Lanka. Back of a length, around off and at 147 clicks. Dasun Shanaka stays leg side of the ball and just looks to use the pace and guide it away. Shanaka gets stuck at the crease and the ball just caresses the outside edge before going into the assured gloves of Jos Buttler behind the stumps. With the boundaries drying up, Sri Lanka are now finding it difficult to hit the top gear.

17.41

Banged in short, at 144 clicks and over leg stump. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to pull but gets it off the under edge and the ball goes towards fine leg. Just another single then.

17.41wd

WIDE! Wood looks to attack the pads but spills it well down the leg side. A wide is called.

17.31

Short of a length, at 147 clicks and hurrying onto the batter. Dasun Shanaka is able to jab it away through mid-wicket for a single.

17.21

Another pacy bouncer from Wood, slanted across the left-hander. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to muscle it away but gets a top edge on it. The ball goes on the bounce to the fielder at third man as the batters pick up a single.

17.10

Wood starts off with a bumper at 142 clicks and keeps it around the off pole. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to take it on but is well beaten.

Mark Wood is unleashed into the attack at the death. His first over went for 17 runs. Can he redeem himself?

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 123/4

D Shanaka2 (6)

B Rajapaksa16 (17)

S Curran3-0-19-1

16.60

And again! Three dots in a row to close out the over by Sam Curran. Curran nails the wide yorker yet again as the ball lands just inside the tramline outside off. Dasun Shanaka cannot get a bat on it.

16.50

Top delivery! A wide yorker, angling across the right-hander and this one lands perfectly. Shanaka is unable to reach it and it will be another dot ball.

16.40

Nicely stopped by Jos Buttler. Slower delivery, a touch fuller and pushed well outside off. Dasun Shanaka backs away and looks to open up the off side. The ball takes the outside edge and Buttler is able to move to his right and grab it on the bounce.

16.31

A touch fuller and around off, this is pushed out towards cover-point for one more.

16.21

Slower one, on a good length and around off. Dasun Shanaka drops it onto the off side and scampers through for one.

16.11lb

Leg bye! Full and angling down leg, Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to whip it away but misses. The ball pings the pads and rolls onto the off side as the batters pick up a leg bye.

Change in bowling. Sam Curran is back to bowl at the death.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 120/4

B Rajapaksa15 (15)

D Shanaka1 (2)

A Rashid4-0-16-1

15.61

Flighted delivery, around off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa reaches forward and strokes it away through extra cover for a run. Just 4 runs and a wicket off that over. 4-0-16-1, superb effort from the leggie.

15.51

At the stumps, swept away off the middle of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

15.40

Slower through the air again, on leg and turning away. Dasun Shanaka looks to paddle it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka is in next. A slip in place.

15.3W

OUT! TAKEN! Adil Rashid bags an important wicket in his final over, his first of the tournament and Pathum Nissanka has to depart. Rashid gives this one more air and floats it up around middle and leg. Nissanka comes down the track and goes hard at it, looking to go over long off. The ball comes off the inner half of the bat and gets skied over mid on. The substitute fielder, Chris Jordan, comes in from the long on fence and takes a good catch. End of a stellar inning by Nissanka.

15.21

Down the leg side, Bhanuka Rajapaksa brooms this one away towards fine leg and turns the strike over.

15.11

Tossed up, full and on off stump. Pathum Nissanka steps out and drives it down to long off for a single.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 116/3

B Rajapaksa13 (13)

P Nissanka66 (43)

C Woakes3-0-24-1

14.64

FOUR! Guided away! Short and on top of off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa hangs on the back foot and ramps it down to third man for a boundary. 12 from the over, Sri Lanka are 116 for 3 with 30 legal balls left in the innings.

14.51

Short outside off, punched to sweeper cover for one.

14.44

FOUR! Put away. Fuller in length and around off, Pathum Nissanka fires his drive over extra cover. The fielder from long off rushes across to his left but it spins away from him and goes to the fence.

14.31

Back of a length around leg, Bhanuka Rajapaksa lifts his front leg and glances it aerially over mid-wicket for a single.

14.21

Brilliant athleticism by Ben Stokes. Short in length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka heaves it over mid-wicket and Stokes does well in the deep with his run to keep the batters down to only a single.

Oh, no! Dawid Malan seems to have tweaked his groin here. Malan immediately signals to the dressing room and he is off the field. This could be a big blow to England if Malan is unable to bat but hopefully, it isn't a huge problem.

14.11

Follows the batter down the leg side, on a length, Bhanuka strokes it through point. Malan tries to chase but seems to have hurt his groin in the process. Straightaway he is off. England will hope that he is fine. One run added to the total.

Chris Woakes (2-0-12-1) is back on.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 104/3

P Nissanka60 (40)

B Rajapaksa7 (10)

A Rashid3-0-12-0

13.62

Quicker and on middle, hit across towards wide long on for a couple of runs. Adil continues to be miser.

13.50

Almost drags it on! A googly landing a touch short on off, Nissanka steps back to cut but gets an under edge. It drops near the popping crease.

13.41

Serves it flat and on middle, Bhanuka nudges it towards mid-wicket for one.

13.30

Swing and a miss! Wrong 'un outside off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa goes down to sweep but fails to make any connection.

13.20

Quicker and flatter, landing full around off, Rajapaksa pushes it from the back foot to covers. Pathum is sent back as he was looking for a run.

13.11

Advances down the track to a full ball and lofts it down to long on for a run.

Adil Rashid (2-0-8-0) is brought back into the attack.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 100/3

B Rajapaksa6 (7)

P Nissanka57 (37)

B Stokes3-0-24-1

12.60

Slower one again, at 117 kph and shorter in length around off, Bhanuka tries to work it away but fails to middle his shot.

12.54

FOUR! Bhanuka Rajapaksa was waiting for this delivery. Short in length, outside off and slower in pace, Bhanuka waits on the back foot and lofts it over short third man for a boundary. 100 up!

12.41

Shortish and on middle, slower in pace, Pathum waits and works it through square leg for a run.

12.30

Miscued! Back of a length around off, Pathum walks across the stumps to paddle it away but gets an under edge. It goes on the bounce to the keeper.

12.26

SIX! This one has gone the distance. Ben Stokes delivers it in the slot, a touch fuller around off, Pathum Nissanka swings his bat across the line and heaves it over square leg for a maximum. 1000 runs in T20Is for Pathum.

12.10

Lands it full and around off, Nissanka drives but finds the fielder at covers. Again Moeen is alert.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 89/3

P Nissanka50 (33)

B Rajapaksa2 (5)

L Livingstone2-0-16-0

11.61

Nearly a leading edge! Floated and full, around leg, Pathum Nissanka tries to work it on the leg side but doesn't get the middle of the bat. Somehow he nudges it down to long on and takes a single to bring up his FIFTY! A fine knock from the opener and he holds the key here for Sri Lanka.

11.51

Gets forward to a full ball and pushes it to sweeper cover for a single.

11.40

Loopy and full around off, Bhanuka drives but finds Moeen at covers. A good stop.

11.31

Drag down from Liam, wide outside off, Pathum moves back and strokes it towards long on for another run in this over.

11.21

Fullish and on middle, it's knocked down to long on for a run.

11.11

Starts with a short ball around off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards wide long on and gets a single.

Liam Livingstone (1-0-11-0) is back on.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 84/3

B Rajapaksa0 (2)

P Nissanka47 (30)

B Stokes2-0-13-1

10.60

Extra lift on this delivery, from a shortish length around off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa stays back and fends it off his gloves. A terrific over from Ben.

10.50

Play and a miss! Stokes steams in and delivers a short ball from wide of the crease. It's outside off, holding its line, Bhanuka Rajapaksa tries to flirt with it at the last moment but fails to connect.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa is the new man in.

10.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! Out of nowhere the big shot comes but it's mistimed and Charith Asalanka has been dismissed. Stokes sticks to bowling short to the left-hander, serves it just outside off and Charith Asalanka shapes up to hammer it across the line. The bounce though gets big on his bat and the ball flies off the top half of the bat. Dawid Malan settles underneath at point and takes the skier safely.

10.31

Around middle, on a shortish length, it's turned through mid-wicket for a run. Sri Lanka looking to just knock it around at the moment.

10.21

Another short ball around off, this time Charith pulls it straight to deep square leg and gets only one run.

10.12

Back of a length, around off and angling in from 'round the wicket, Charith Asalanka pulls it through square leg, wide of the fielder in the deep, and gets two runs.

Ben Stokes is back on. His first over went for 9 runs.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 80/2

P Nissanka46 (29)

C Asalanka5 (6)

M Ali1-0-5-0

9.60

On middle, Pathum Nissanka flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

9.51

Around off and on a nagging length. Asalanka plays it with the spin and towards backward point for one more.

9.41

Flatter delivery on off, Nissanka punches it down to long on and picks up a single.

The physio has come out. Pathum Nissanka seems to have not hurt himself much with the collision but he twisted his ankle a bit and is feeling the pain. The umpires have decided to take the Drinks break. It's been a good start for Sri Lanka after opting to bat. Their openers provided them with a breezy start and despite losing Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka enjoyed an excellent Powerplay. Pathum Nissanka has been quite fluent in his approach and will hope to receive good support from the other batters. England have blown hot and cold thus far and their aim will be to get things under control in the middle phase.

9.31

Oh, a collision and that could have been catastrophic. Ali drops it a bit short and around off, Charith Asalanka just dabs it down on the off side and looks for the quick single. There's a bit of yes and no and both batters are caught ball-watching as they scamper through. The batters collide mid-pitch but manage to stand their ground. The throw comes to Moeen Ali but is quite wide. Ali turns to collect, has his back to the stumps and attempts a back-flick to knock down the stumps. He fails and Charith Asalanka returns with a dive. Pathum Nissanka is down at the striker's end and hopefully, he is fine.

9.21

Switches to over the wicket now for the right-hander and serves it on a length. Pathum Nissanka tucks it away towards square leg for a single.

9.11

Ali starts from around the wicket and angles it into middle and leg. Charith Asalanka sweeps it behind square on the leg side for one.

Moeen Ali to bowl.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 75/2

C Asalanka2 (3)

P Nissanka44 (26)

S Curran2-0-17-1

8.61

On a fuller length and around middle, Charith Asalanka works it away through mid-wicket for a run.

8.50

A slower bouncer now from Curran. This is outside off and Charith Asalanka pulls out of the pull shot.

8.41

A touch fuller, slanting it across the right-hander. Nissanka punches it through covers and rotates the strike.

8.31

A length ball, angling in from around middle. Charith Asalanka just flicks it down to fine leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Charith Asalanka is the new batter, at number 4.

8.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Sri Lanka lose their second. Another cutter from Sam Curran, on a good length and around middle and off. Dhananjaya de Silva stays deep in his crease and just looks to have a swipe across the line. De Silva gets a good hit in but fails to find the elevation. Ben Stokes takes an assured catch just inside the deep mid-wicket fence and the bowling change has worked for England.

8.11

Curran starts off with a cutter, on a good length and over off stump. Pathum Nissanka just hops and nudges it on the leg side for a quick single.

Change in bowling. Sam Curran is back to bowl his second over. 13 conceded by him so far.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 71/1

de Silva9 (10)

P Nissanka42 (24)

A Rashid2-0-8-0

7.60

Nicely bowled! Very full and Rashid gives this one a nice loop as well. De Silva looks to get deep in his crease and go downtown but is well beaten. Two good overs from the leggie.

7.52

Easy two! At the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva works this one away in front of mid-wicket and comes back for the second run as well.

7.41

Around off, this is pushed down to long off for a single.

7.31

Nicely tossed up and pushed wider, Dhananjaya de Silva is able to go inside-out over covers this time but can only get a single.

7.22

Rashid keeps it full and around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to go inside-out but ends up slicing it over extra cover for a brace.

7.10

Full and around off, driven straight towards cover.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 65/1

P Nissanka41 (23)

de Silva4 (5)

L Livingstone1-0-11-0

6.66

SIX! Just over! Tossed up outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets down on one knee and slogs it away flat and hard over the wide long on fence for a biggie. 11 from the over!

6.52

In the air but in the gap as well. Flighted delivery, full and on off stump, Pathum Nissanka looks to go big downtown but ends up chipping it right back over the bowler's head for a couple of runs.

6.41

Shorter and around leg stump, this is pulled in front of mid-wicket for a single.

6.30

BEATEN! Tosses it up a bit now and bowls it on a nagging length. The ball turns away from off stump as de Silva has a little dab at it but misses.

6.21

On the shorter side and on leg stump, this is pulled away down to long on for a single.

6.11

Livingstone starts off with e leggie. Bowls this one short and outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva slaps it away to deep cover for a run.

Change in bowling. Liam Livingstone to roll his arm now.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 54/1

de Silva2 (2)

P Nissanka32 (20)

A Rashid1-0-2-0

5.61

Floats it up now, full and on leg stump, Dhananjaya de Silva knocks it down to long on for one more. At the end of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka are 54/1!

5.51

A fraction short and turning it into leg stump. Pathum Nissanka pulls it off the back foot and towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.40

This is bowled from the front of the hand and is flatter at the stumps. Pathum Nissanka backs away and taps it out on the off side.

5.30

Tossed up outside off, Pathum Nissanka drives but finds the man at extra cover.

5.20

A touch full now and around off, Nissanka punches it back to the bowler.

5.10

Rashid starts off with a shortish delivery outside off. Pathum Nissanka waits for it and plays it with the turn towards cover.

Adil Rashid to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 52/1

P Nissanka31 (15)

de Silva1 (1)

S Curran1-0-13-0

4.61

Risk single. Fullish and on off, Pathum nudges it to mid on and steals a quick run as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. It's all happening at the SCG.

4.56

SIX! Just over the fielder! Curran delivers it full and around leg, Pathum Nissanka uses his wrists and flicks it over square leg. Harry Brook runs in a bit from the deep and then tries to jump to take the catch over his head. But it sails over his outstretched right hand. Had he been at the edge of the boundary line, he could have been in a better position to take the catch. 50 up for Sri Lanka!

4.44

EDGY FOUR! Back of a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka gives the charge to pull it across the line but it flies off the outside edge to third man for a boundary.

4.31

Direct hit and Dhananjaya de Silva would have been a goner. Fuller in length around off, de Silva drives it to covers and sets off for a run. Moeen makes a diving stop and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Dhananjaya was gone for all money.

4.21

Extra bounce around middle, Nissanka hops and tucks it to square leg for a run.

4.10

Shortish on off, played down to point.

Dhananjaya de Silva is in at number 3. Also, Sam Curran is introduced into the attack now.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 39/1

K Mendis18 (14)

P Nissanka19 (10)

C Woakes2-0-12-1

3.6W

OUT! CAUGHT! Exceptional running catch from Liam Livingstone. Woakes dishes out a shortish ball around off, Mendis stays back to heave it over the leg side but gets more height than distance. It flies towards deep mid-wicket and Liam Livingstone puts in a run across to his left. At the last moment, he realizes that he can reach with a slide and does so to claim the catch cleanly. The extra ball in the over fetches England a wicket.

3.61wd

Wide called for height! Woakes bends his back to bowl a bouncer but it goes way over the head of the batter.

3.50

Change in pace from Woakes. Bowls it full and on middle, Mendis picks late and defends it back to the bowler.

3.44

FOUR! Easy pickings! Woakes strays on the leg side, fuller in length, Mendis picks it off his pads and whips it over square leg for a boundary.

3.30

Aerial but safe. Woakes follows the batter down the leg side with a length ball, Mendis tries to flick but gets a bit of a leading edge. It lobs and drops safely on the leg side.

3.21

Fullish and on middle, clipped in front of square on the leg side for one.

3.11

Woakes goes short, on middle, it's pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 17 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 32/0

P Nissanka18 (9)

K Mendis13 (9)

M Wood1-0-17-0

2.66

SIX! Up and over! The over ends the way it started - with a biggie. Wood bangs it in short, outside off at 152 kph, Pathum Nissanka uses the pace of the bowler to his advantage and upper-cuts it over third man for a maximum. 17 from the over!

2.51

Drop and run! A 150 kph length delivery, targeting the off pole, Kusal Mendis taps it down this time, in front of the keeper who is standing deep for Wood, and they cross for a brisk single.

2.41

Shaping in from a shortish length around off, 151 kph, Pathum Nissanka is on his toes as he taps it down to the right of the keeper and crosses for a run.

2.33

Not in control but it's in the gap. Wood serves it on a good length, angling in around middle and off at 147 kph, Mendis plays the drop kick over mid-wicket and collects three runs.

2.20

Darts it in, on a length around middle at 149 clicks, Kusal Mendis gets squared up and pushes it away back to the bowler off the leading part of his bat.

2.16

SIX! Dismissed! Wood fires in a full ball, around middle and leg at 143 kph, Kusal Mendis flicks it across the line and towers it over square leg for a maximum. High and handsome. Excellent start to the over for the Lankans.

A change in the bowling straightaway as Mark Wood comes into the attack.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 15/0

K Mendis3 (5)

P Nissanka11 (7)

C Woakes1-0-5-0

1.61

Wide of Moeen Ali this time. On middle, Mendis bunts it down towards mid on and scampers across for a quick run.

1.50

Around off, slower in pace, Mendis shuffles across the stumps and works it gently to mid-wicket. Finds Moeen.

1.41lb

Sliding down the leg side, on a length and skidding off the surface, Pathum Nissanka fails to work it around and it goes off his thigh pad to square leg. They cross for a leg bye.

1.31

Fractionally short in length, outside off, Mendis jumps and guides it towards cover-point. Alex Hales makes a half-stop with a dive and they cross for a run.

1.21

Tip and run. Back of a length, on top of off, Pathum Nissanka goes on his toes and drops it with gentle hands towards point for one.

1.12

Woakes begins his spell with a fuller delivery on middle, Nissanka flicks it in front of square on the leg side and returns for the second run.

Chris Woakes will share the new ball with Ben Stokes.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 9/0

P Nissanka8 (4)

K Mendis1 (2)

B Stokes1-0-9-0

0.61

Again the line from Stokes is ordinary. Full and drifting down the leg side, Pathum Nissanka works it calmly through square leg and keeps strike with himself.

0.51

Ben fails to land this delivery and Kusal Mendis flicks this full toss through square leg for a single. He is away as well.

0.40

Angles in a full ball around off, Kusal shows minimal footwork as he defends it back in the direction of the bowler.

0.31

Fuller in length, on middle, Pathum clips it through square leg and rotates the strike.

0.26

SIX! It's a thumping start for Sri Lanka. Stokes errs in his line and length. Serves it short around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka swivels on the back foot and nails his pull shot over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

0.10

Stokes begins with an outswinger. He lands it on a good length outside off, Pathum Nissanka watches the line closely and makes a leave.

Done with the pre-game formalities and it is now time to get the game underway. The two umpires are already out in the middle as the English players can be seen waiting on the sidelines, ready to take their fielding positions. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are the openers for Sri Lanka. Ben Stokes has been handed the new ball and is raring to go. Let's play...

Just a few minutes left now for the play to get underway. But first, the two teams will line up for their respective national anthems. It will be England's national anthem first followed by the national anthem of Sri Lanka.

English all-rounder Sam Curran is down for a chat. Curran says they did watch Australia's match and it is simple for them and they know if they win here, they go through. Mentions that the results have been really tight in this tournament and it will come down to net run rate but believes that the boys can do well. Adds that they have a really good bowling group and they know that Sri Lanka are a difficult team to beat. Says that you have to adapt to the ground conditions and the Lankan players play differently to the Kiwis and hopes that England come out on top.

Jos Buttler, the skipper of England, says that they would have looked to bat first on this used wicket as well but will have to play well now. Adds that they need to play their best cricket to get to the next round. Mentions it is all about adapting to the surface and they have got good bowling options. Informs that they are going in with the same team.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that they are batting first as it's a used wicket and the last seven games here were won by the team batting first. Informs that they have made one change - Chamika Karunaratne in for Pramod Madushan. Adds that it's an important game for them as well, as they want to finish on a high and carry the pride with them. Feels that the pitch will offer some turn and could be similar to the one they played on against New Zealand.

England (Unchanged XI) - Jos Buttler (C/WK), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne (In place of Pramod Madushan), Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha.

TOSS - Up goes the flip of the coin and it is Jos Buttler who calls it wrongly. Sri Lanka opt to BAT first.

Did you know? England have won their last seven T20Is against Sri Lanka. The last time they lost was in the year 2014. This stat will definitely please them ahead of this must-win encounter.