Dilshan was named Man of the Match for excelling with both the bat and ball
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a dazzling century and took three wickets to help his side flatten England by 87 runs in the seventh ODI in Colombo.
Dilshan was well supported by batsman Dinesh Chandimal and all-rounder Thisara Perera as they both scored half-centuries.
However, England batsman Joe Root deserves some credit for his valiant knock of 80.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews would have been pleased with his decision to bat first after Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene amassed a 55-run partnership before Jayawardene was caught by Chris Woakes at long leg off the bowling of Harry Gurney for 28.
Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara kept the runs flowing with a 65-run partnership, during which Dilshan brought up his half-century, before Sangakkara was caught by James Tredwell at midwicket off the bowling of Moeen Ali for 33.
Mathews only scored 20 runs before he was clean bowled by Ali.
Dilshan and Chandimal stabilised the innings with an 80-run partnership, during which Dilshan registered his 18th ODI century, before he was caught by Ali at deep midwicket off the bowling of Chris Jordan.
Dilshan’s superb knock of 101 came off 124 balls and included nine boundaries and a six.
Sri Lanka’s dominance with the bat continued as Chandimal and Perera put together a 63-run partnership, during which both batsmen recorded their half-centuries, before Perera was caught and bowled by Jordan.
Perera’s excellent innings of 54 came off 26 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.
Perera only took 23 balls to bring up his half-century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Seekkuge Prasanna failed to trouble the scorers as he was run out by Jordan for a golden duck.
Thanks to Chandimal’s unbeaten knock of 55, which came off 50 deliveries and included two boundaries and a six, Sri Lanka finished on 302/6 off their 50 overs.
Chandimal hit two boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 55
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Jordan and Ali picked up two wickets apiece, while Gurney chipped in with one.
Chasing 303 to win, England got off to a terrible start as they lost their top five batsmen for just 78 runs.
Root and Jos Buttler somewhat stemmed the bleeding with a 48-run partnership, during which Root brought up his half-century, before Buttler was caught by Chandimal at deep cover off the bowling of Prasanna for 23.
Root and Woakes continued to steer England back in the right direction with a 66-run partnership before Woakes was cleaned up by Dilruwan Perera for 34.
Root ended up making 80 off 99 balls, which included five boundaries, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Prasanna.
Root decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit middle stump. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Root made a gutsy 80
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Prasanna struck again just four balls later when Jordan was given out lbw for a golden duck.
England were bowled out for 215 when Tredwell was stumped by Sangakkara off the bowling of Jayawardene for 17 runs.
Dilshan and Prasanna snapped up three wickets apiece, while Suranga Lakmal took two and Perera and Jayawardene claimed one wicket each.
Cook was disappointed to have lost again, and said: “It was too many runs for us to chase. It’s been a tough tour but people have come through personally. Root has been outstanding, also Woakes and Jordan. We’ve worked incredibly hard, left everything on the pitch but haven’t been good enough. It’s great to see so many celebrate Kumar and Mahela and I’d like to thank our fans as well.”
Mathews was ecstatic to have won the series 5-2, and said: “[Dilshan] The older he gets the faster he gets. Really excited about the World Cup, but have to enjoy this first then get on the plane tomorrow. I want to say a big thank you to all the people who turned up to support us. It will be a sad day after their services [Kumar and Mahela] have been rendered.”
Dilshan was named Man of the Match and Man of the Series, and said: “It was a great to finish with the hundred. I’m really happy with the all-round performance in this series. All the things are clicking ahead of the World Cup with the youngsters, everyone is doing well. I will really miss them [Kumar and Mahela] but it’s another 10-15 matches until they finish. My body is feeling good, I will see after the World Cup where I’ll end up.”