Niroshan Dickwella fell five runs short of his third ODI century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Niroshan Dickwella scored a superb 95 as Sri Lanka demolished England by 219 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the fifth ODI in Colombo.

England’s loss was their largest in ODIs in terms of runs as it easily surpassed their 165-run loss to the West Indies back in March 1994.

Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka made a brilliant start to their innings as Dickwella and Sadeera Samarawickrama amassed a 137-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries.

However, shortly after bringing up his fifty, Samarawickrama was clean bowled by Moeen Ali for a 48-ball 54, which included eight boundaries.

Dickwella went on to score 95, which came off 97 deliveries and included 12 boundaries, before he was dismissed by Moeen.

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis stabilised the innings with a 102-run stand, during which both batsmen registered their fifties, before Mendis was removed by Liam Plunkett for 56, which came off 33 balls and included a boundary and six sixes.

Dasun Shanaka, Chandimal and Thisara Perera fell soon after, but Chandimal’s 73-ball 80, which included six boundaries and two sixes, coupled with Dhananjaya de Silva and Akila Dananjaya’s unbeaten 38-run partnership, helped Sri Lanka finish on 366/6.

Moeen and Tom Curran picked up two wickets, while Plunkett and Adil Rashid chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 367 to win, England were dealt a big blow on the sixth ball of their innings as opener Jason Roy was clean bowled by Kasun Rajitha for four runs.

Alex Hales failed to trouble the scorers as he was brilliantly caught by Mendis at slip off the bowling of Dushmantha Chameera.

Jos Buttler and Joe Root fell shortly after to leave England in serious trouble at 28/4.

Ben Stokes and Moeen came to the rescue with a 79-run partnership, during which Stokes surpassed his half-century, before Moeen was caught by Chandimal at short cover off the bowling of Dananjaya for 37.

Sam Curran fell for two runs, while Stokes ended up making a 60-ball 67, which included 12 boundaries, before he was sent packing by Dananjaya.

Once Stokes was gone, Dananjaya removed Plunkett and Tom Curran before the rain came.

With the rain refusing to relent, Sri Lanka were declared the winners by 219 runs.

Dananjaya was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while Chameera took three, and De Silva and Rajitha claimed one wicket each.

Dickwella was named Man of the Match.