Malinga and Matthews shine as Sri Lanka upset England

A dejected Moeen Ali walks off after being dismissed late in England's run chase.

In what many experts and analysts, including ourselves, described as the first real dead rubber of the tournament with England expected to romp home, Sri Lanka proved there is still life left in the remaining games. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka found themselves reduced to just 3 for 2 inside two overs, before Avishka Fernando (49) combined to resurrect the innings with Kusal Mendis (46), before Angelo Matthews (85no) ensured that the Sri Lankans would reach their full 50 overs, setting England 233 to win. For the English, Jofra Archer starred with the ball, picking three wickets, whilst Mark Wood decimated the tail and also finished with three. The leg-spin of Adil Rashid picked up two wickets as England went into the change of innings looking like they had a small total to chase. For the second time in the World Cup however, England lost Jonny Bairstow, second ball of the innings for a golden duck, as England were soon reduced to 2/26. With Joe Root and Eoin Morgan at the crease, many would have assumed the small run chase would be a walk in the park for the host nation. Ben Stokes would gallantly resist with an unbeaten 82, but it was Dhananjaya de Silva (3/32 off 8) and Lasith Malinga (4/43 off 10) who would star for the Sri Lankans. It was vintage Malinga who bowled with venom, not giving the batsman room to score and was a constant threat to the much fancied English batsmen. Isuru Udana and Nuwan Pradeep would take the final two wickets, with England falling 20 runs short in what will be a much dissected failure from the tournament favourites. THE STAR

Malinga was unstoppable against England.

Lasith Malinga turned back the clock putting in a man of the match performance on his way to 4 for 43 off 10 overs. Malinga removed both openers, before returning for his second spell and claiming 2 for 12, picking up his 50th and 51st World Cup wickets, joining elite company. THE MOMENT

Malinga celebrates his fourth wicket as Ben Stokes watches on.

With England cruising at 3 for 127, Malinga was reintroduced for his second spell and removed Joe Root, before trapping Jos Buttler LBW in his next over to leave England percariously positioned at 5 for 144. From that spell, England would not recover, falling short.

THE FAILURE

Malinga celebrates as Paul Wilson decides Jonny Bairstow's fate.

For the second time in this tournament, Jonny Bairstow was removed for a golden duck, on the second ball of the innings. It was an innings in which he should have been exerting his dominance over the lowly ranked Sri Lankans and ensure England a smooth run chase. But he failed to negotiate a straight one from Malinga and was trapped in front. It was unneeded pressure for the middle order so early in the run chase.

WHAT NEXT - England head Lord's on Tuesday to take on defending champions Australia, whilst Sri Lanka have South Africa on Friday. TONIGHT - Spare a thought for Afghanistan, after their drubbing at the hands of England on Tuesday take on India tonight, whilst the undefeated New Zealand take on the West Indies.