Bristol: The third ODI between England and Sri Lanka ended without any result. The second innings of the match was washed out due to rain. With this result, the series has now ended 2-0 in favor of England.
Prior to this series, Sri Lanka had also lost a T20I series 3–0 against England. These are difficult times for Sri Lanka cricket as they have not won a single series in 2021.
Sri Lanka were all out for 166 in the third ODI as well. The rain gods had a different plan for the day in Bristol. The match was called off without a ball being bowled in the second innings due to incessant rain. Sri Lanka were saved from another whitewash thanks to the weather conditions. Considering the current form of the England batsmen, England would have easily chased down 167 runs.
There was not a single exceptional performance for Sri Lanka in the entire series, nor a single century in the entire series. Sri Lankan captain Kusal Perera disappointed after losing the series. “It’s been a tough tour for us. We did well in the patch but it wasn’t enough. We need to focus on our batting. The boys need to believe in their ability and express themselves,” he said. This is the only way forward. There are lots of positives for us but we need to be persistent.”
It has been a series of disappointing performances by Sri Lankan cricketers. SL cricket fans unfollowed cricketers on social media with the hashtag #UnfollowSLCricketers. Former Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya had expressed concern over the form of the Sri Lankan team at this time. The former explosive opener wrote in a tweet, “Very sad day for Sri Lankan cricket. Situation is critical. We need urgent measures to save cricket.”
.