Eng v SL, 5th ODI Review: England seal an easy win to finish the series on a high

England faced no problems whatsoever in prevailing over Sri Lanka as they beat them by 122 runs in the fifth and the final ODI of the Natwest ODI series at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. The Sri Lankan bowlers proved to be no competition against the host side today as they went on to pile on a highly competitive total of 324/7 in the first innings after being put into bat by Sri Lanka.

Joe Root, who got back to his natural form after a small lean patch, played yet another wonderful knock today. The England bowlers led by David Willey (4/34) then had an easy outing as they wrapped up the Sri Lankan batting order for just 202 and helped the homes side lift the ODI series 3-0.

England had a new opening pair in the form of Jason Roy and James Vince who gave a humble start to the innings, putting 67 runs for the 1st wicket. The innings began with a dash of aggression before the rains halted the game for close to 25 minutes.

The green tinge in the pitch and the overcast conditions did not help the Lankan seamers a bit. Chaminda Bandara, who came into the match after a nine-wicket haul in the last first-class game he played, was completely ineffective. Suranga Lakmal also failed to generate enough swing to create problems for the openers. Luckily, Roy’s ambitious strike in the 12th over couldn’t reach the distance due to the cross wind and was safely pouched by Perera at the deep-mid wicket.

Then came Joe Root fresh from his 67 in the previous game. He began with a bang, striking the first ball to a boundary through the covers region. After a brief time together, Vince departed in the 19th over after falling to off-spin of Gunathilaka. Skipper Morgan and Jonny Bairstow also could not stay for long in the middle and were dismissed after getting starts. He was then joined by Jos Buttler and together both propelled England to a commanding position.

It was cautious approach from both the other ends. Both mostly resorted to dabbing singles and doubles in the middle overs before Buttler stepped his foot on the accelerator to help the run rate soared. The wicket-keeper batsman could not stay till the end after he became Bandara’s first international wicket. But, Root and Chris Woakes and Root still managed to gather Thirty-three runs off the last three overs.

Kusal Perera and Gunathilaka strode out in the middle with a tough task at hand. The duo had the capability to ease the task for the Lankans with an attacking start but the pair could stay together could last only 4 overs in the middle. Perera had no answer to David Willey’s inswinger and was trapped LBW. Some resistance from the Lankans followed next as Gunathilaka (48 from 45 balls) and Kusal Mendis (22 from 34 balls) put on a 57 run stand for the 2nd wicket. But, Plunkett soon found a breakthrough for the home side after managed to break the stand with the wicket of Mendis.

Gunathilaka, skipper Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga also followed him soon as Sri Lankans began plunging into defeat. The Lankans found themselves at 106/5 from 66/2. There was no miraculous comeback thereafter

Dinesh Chandimal kept the hopes flickering hopes alive. He along with Dasun Shanaka and Seekuge Prasanna fought for some time. But, the efforts weren’t enough as Rashid soon picked Shanaka while Prasanna departed after playing a sluggish innings. Despite wickets falling around him, Chandimal kept fighting.But, in the end, Willey, without wasting much time finished off the match, snapping the last three wickets in a matter of just two overs. The 41st over by him saw Lakmal and Chandimal go back to the pavilion. He then topped it up with Nuwan Pradeep’s scalp to finish the match comfortably.

But, in the end, Willey, without wasting much time finished off the match, snapping the last three wickets in a matter of just two overs. The 41st over by him saw Lakmal and Chandimal go back to the pavilion. He then topped it up with Nuwan Pradeep’s scalp to finish the match comfortably.

Brief Scores:

England: 324/7 in 50 overs (Joe Root 93; Danushka Gunathilaka 3/48)

Sri Lanka: 202 all out in 42.4 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 53; David Willey 4/34)

Man of the Match: Jos Buttler