England tour of Sri Lanka: Captain Kusal Perera has admitted that the visitors’ efforts against the world champions were not enough after losing the ODI series 2-0. Sri Lanka could only make 166 in the series finale on Sunday but rain washed out the game in Bristol.
Sri Lanka lost 5 out of 6 matches on their tour of England (Reuters Photo)
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- Sri Lanka lost 5 out of 6 matches on England tour
- Sri Lanka were reduced to 166 in the series finale before the match was washed away by rain.
- Eoin Morgan hails England’s ruthlessness in white-ball series against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera admitted that the visiting team played well in the patch but it was not enough on the ‘tough’ tour of England. Sri Lanka were cleaned up 0-3 in the T20I series and lost the ODI series 2-0 after the final ODI in Bristol on Sunday was canceled due to rain.
Tom Curran bundled out Sri Lanka for 166 after taking his career-best figures of 4/35 in the third ODI. England looked on course to complete another successful run chase and make it 6–0, but the rain god played poorly.
England vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI: Highlights
In all the other 5 matches, Sri Lanka were comfortably bowled out. The visitors, dealing with contract issues, lost 3 players due to a breach of the quarantine protocol. Vice-captain Kusal Mendis, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka were sent home after the ODI series.
“It was a difficult tour for us. We did well in the patch but it was not enough. We have to focus on our batting. Boys have to believe in their ability and need to express themselves and that is the only way forward. There are a lot of positives for us but we need to be persistent,” said Kusal Perera.
England didn’t take things lightly: Morgan
England captain Eoin Morgan lauded the ruthlessness on display, saying: “We dominated today, and we are happy to be ruthless. That’s the trend in T20Is and ODIs, people didn’t take things lightly. People were ready to show character and fight. “
Sri Lanka once again failed to make a solid start with the bat as skipper Kusal Perera and fellow opener Avishka Fernando were dismissed in the opening six overs by the new ball of Chris Woakes and David Willey.
Pathum Nissenka’s stint at the crease was also short-lived as he was caught behind Willie while Dhananjaya de Silva threw a bouncer from Woakes straight to deep fine leg.
The tourists were faltering 50-4 when Tom was brought into the attack and wasted little time to remove Oshada Fernando for his first ODI wicket since March. Wanindu Hasaranga was on to play a quick shot, a short delivery, to give Tom his second wicket for the third time in the series.
All-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne took a cautious approach to add 29 runs for the seventh wicket before Tom returned with his bag of tricks in stormy conditions. Shanaka remained unbeaten on 48 but Asitha Fernando was run out in the 42nd over by Sam Billings before the rain arrived.
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