Good afternoon. The important games just keep on coming in this tournament. England can confirm their spot in the semi-finals today, while Sri Lanka's hopes of qualification will end if they lose.

Sri Lanka showed enough in that thrilling game with New Zealand to know that it would be foolish to rule them out today. Their batting does need to improve though.

BREAKING NEWS: Sri Lanka win the toss and elect to bat first.

ENGLAND: Cook, Bell, Trott, Root, Morgan, Buttler, Bopara, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson

SRI LANKA: Perera, Dilshan, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Chandimal, Mathews, Thirimanne, Kulasekara, Herath, Eranga, Malinga

England make one change as Graeme Swann comes in for James Tredwell. Nulan Kulasekara makes his first appearance of the tournament as Thisara Perera's replacement.

Alastair Cook tells Sky Sports: "I would have had a bowl as well - overhead conditions and a bit of rain around, it looks like a bowl-first wicket. James Tredwell is unlucky to miss out, but Graeme Swann is our number one spinner. The other results seem to have gone in our favour, so it's good that we go through if we win."

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews: "There's a little bit of grass on it and we're playing three genuine seamers. The English team know these conditions well but we need to adapt to them. Malinga is a key factor in our bowling but we need to see the conditions and see how we use him."

In these conditions England are probably favourites but with Lasith Malinga lurking, anything is possible. Cook, Bell and Trott are likely to be watchful early on in the innings but they may want big runs before Malinga returns later in the innings.

If you missed the news earlier today, David Warner has been suspended by Cricket Australia for swinging a punch at Joe Root: Australia suspend Warner

Just the national anthems left before the match begins. It's a very cold day at The Oval but it looks like the rain has stayed away.

Mathews brings his players together for one last talk. Cook and Bell are almost ready to begin. There's some grass on this pitch, so batting could be difficult early on.

Here we go then. Kulasekara will bowl the first over of the match.

There's some movement in the air early in the over but Cook shows good timing to get bat on ball. A wider delivery plays into Cook's hands as he cuts powerfully past point for four. Kulasekara responds with a dot ball, just the boundary in the over.

It's Malinga who is trusted to bowl the second over. No yorkers just yet from the bowler but a hint of swing forces Bell to defend early on. Good length on show, maiden over.

Cook finds a single early in Kulasekara's over. The bowler brings the ball back into the pads but Bell can't connect with an attempted flick through the leg-side. A wider ball is cut powerfully but Dilshan dives to his right to block well. Kulasekara strays down the leg-side and he's punished as England take four leg-byes. Bell will keep the strike following a single to third-man.

Bell punches the ball into the air but he splits the fielders on the off-side and earns four. Malinga responds with a bouncer later in the over but Bell does well to pull the ball wide of the man in close on the leg-side and to the rope for four more. The batsman picks the slower yorker to collect a single to square-leg. Cook is beaten on the outside edge by a full ball but he survives.

A cut to deep point allows Bell to get off strike early in the over. Kulasekara finds a much better length to Cook, who leaves outside off-stump before nudging one behind square on the leg-side. Bell is eager to use his feet against the seamer but mistimes a couple of drives and England must settle for two from the over.

Malinga nips one back early in the over and strikes Cook on the pads. Massive appeal from Sri Lanka is rejected and the ball squirms away for four leg-byes. It looks too high, good decision by Billy Bowden. Malinga responds to the disappointment well, swinging one back before making life uncomfortable for Cook with a well directed yorker. Great over but Cook does well to survive.

Perera does very well on two occasions at cover to restrict Bell to just a single from a couple of powerful shots. Cook punches one off the hip but can't pick the gap in the field. Kulasekara pushes one across England's captain, who has a flirt outside off-stump. The bowler goes too straight with a fuller ball and Cook whips three through mid-wicket.

Malinga is persisting with his natural fuller length and Cook takes advantage to earn a single to third-man with a thick edge. Bell takes a step towards the bowler but is beaten by a beauty that just nips away from the bat. The same batsman is perplexed when Malinga isn't punished for a wide delivery. Just a single from the over.

Cook's unlucky when he executes a brilliant straight drive but hits the stumps at the other end. Bell takes the strike when the ball is nudged into the leg-side for one. Sri Lanka building pressure and Bell takes a big risk when he lobs the ball down the ground. Eranga fails to make the ground to take the catch and Bell enjoys some luck.

England have done well to survive Malinga's opening spell and they could choose to target Eranga, who comes into the attack. Cook steers the ball behind point for one midway through the over. Bell drives a fuller delivery over the covers for four to put some pressure on the bowler. Eranga comes back with a dot ball, five from the over.

Mathews brings himself on to bowl the 11th over and he's immediately greeted by a pull over square-leg for four from Cook. The skipper responds by pushing the ball wide of off-stump and Cook drives through cover for two. A nudge off the hip brings a single just wide of mid-on. Bell ends the over by pulling the ball through square-leg and combines well with Cook to add two more.

Sri Lanka pack the off-side for Cook, who cuts the ball powerfully but only for a single.

Awful way to leave as Bell chips the ball straight to Perera, who's inside the circle at mid-wicket. Sri Lanka will be delighted but that's a poor shot from Bell.

Trott is the new batsman for England but he can't get bat on ball immediately due to a wide-ball from Eranga. He's off the mark with a single through third-man to bring up fifty for England. Cook is more than happy to take one through the covers. Eranga ends the over with a sharp bouncer that forces Trott onto the back foot.

Cook opens the face of the bat to steer the ball away but Dilshan does well at backward point to keep England's captain on strike. Four dot balls are followed by a cut to deep point for a single and Trott shuffles across the crease to flick another run into the leg-side.

Eranga begins a new over with a sharp bouncer to force Trott to duck again. The batsman flicks the ball away from his toes a ball later but he's denied a boundary by some excellent fielding from Kulasekara. Trott guides the ball behind point and England ease another single. Cook steals the strike from the final ball with a pull shot for one run.

Cook takes a single through cover before Trott latches onto a fuller ball to punch four through mid-wicket. The number three clips the ball through square-leg for one and Cook then enjoys some good luck. England's skipper cuts the ball into the air but Dilshan puts down a difficult chance at backward point diving to his right.

Eranga is agonisingly close to finding the edge when Trott flashes at one outside off-stump. A single is then taken to third-man before Dilshan does well at backward point to keep Cook from adding more than one with a late cut. Trott cuts two more to deep point and finds another couple with a clip off the pads. There's time for one more play and miss in the over. Time for a drinks break.

It's steady, but a little pedestrian, from England so far this afternoon. Bell will still be angry with the shot that brought his dismissal. Cook has been dropped and he'll know that either he or Trott need to go on to make a big score.

England take two singles early in a new over from Mathews. Good control from the Sri Lanka captain, who does have a tendency to take big wickets. Trott takes a couple of steps forward before opening the face to guide the ball through third-man for one. Four from the over.

England are managing to pick the gaps to find the singles but could do with striking some boundaries to put the bowlers under some pressure. Three singles from the first three balls before Cook adds three more with a punch through mid-wicket. Trott guides the ball to the fielder at third-man for another, seven from the over.

Rangana Herath comes on for his first bowl of the match. The spinner struggles for length early in the over, allowing Trott to get off strike with a cut to deep point. Cook takes a big step forward and sweeps behind square on the leg-side for a couple. The skipper adds another to square-leg and he'll keep the strike.

Kulasekara comes back into the attack for a new spell. Cook immediately cuts the seamer towards point, where Dilshan prevents a run. The skipper decides to target the leg-side instead and guides the ball through a large vacant area at mid-wicket for one. Trott calls for a single to backward point but Cook sends his partner back and the Warwickshire ace is fortunate to see Dilshan miss with a throw at the stumps. Another stroke of luck for England.

Herath begins a new over with a full toss but Cook can only find a single to deep mid-wicket. Trott reverse sweeps but doesn't make great contact and can only find a single. Cook plays a more conventional version of the sweep and makes sure he's outside of the line, which saves him when he misses the ball. Easy singles on offer and England collect six from the over.

Trott gets himself into an awkward position to play a pull shot and is fortunate to see a top edge land safely behind square on the leg-side. Cook hands the strike back to his partner with a clip through mid-wicket. Trott again struggles to convincingly play the pull shot and only finds a single to mid-on. A thick inside edge squirms away to give Cook another run before Trott adds one more to make it five from the over.

Trott nudges a single to long-on early in Herath's new over. Cook eases another run through square-leg before his partner finds another down the ground. A sweep to the fielder at deep square-leg allows England to reach 100. Four from the over.

We know this is how England approach ODI matches but are they going too slow? They'll be wary about Malinga, who still has six overs to bowl.

Dilshan is brought into the attack to deliver his tricky slower bowling. Cook begins the over well by playing the latest of cut shots for four runs. The skipper then cuts through the covers to pick up two more. Jayawardene does superbly to dive to his left and stop a third cut shot in as many balls. Cook drops to one knee to sweep the ball fine for two more and moves to 49 in the process. He reaches 50 with a single through the leg-side. Trademark innings from Cook.

Herath has struggled for length in this spell and is easily taken for three singles from the first three balls of a new over. The spinner delivers a quicker ball which almost bowls Trott but an inside edge brings another run. Six singles from the over.

Brilliant from Trott to beat Malinga inside the circle with a reverse sweep and earn four at the start of Dilshan's over. Trott then gets off the strike with an easy single down the ground. Cook prods one more to mid-on before Trott cuts a run to point. Dilshan is clearly frustrated by the amount of singles on offer, nine runs from the over.

Much better from Herath, who varies his length well in the over. Just the two runs on offer for England. Time for Malinga?

It's Dilshan who continues for now as Malinga continues his job in the field. Big moment of luck for Cook. Dilshan is one of the best fielders around but he fails to take a return catch when Cook chips one to the bowler's left. England's captain has now been dropped twice by Dilshan. Three singles from the over.

Mid-off and mid-on are both still back, meaning England are able to take two easy singles.

Crucial breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Cook misses with the sweep and is struck on the pad. He's given out but decides to review. However, Hawkeye confirms the original decision and the skipper has to depart.

Joe Root, fresh from Saturday's fight night, gets off the mark with a single. Trott adds another but Root ensures that he'll keep the strike with a flick to fine-leg.

Dilshan is twice pushed down the ground for a single before being pulled powerfully through mid-wicket for two more. England continue to take advantage of the fielders back on the rope straight down the ground with a couple more singles. Root clips the ball through square-leg and Trott responds well to hurry two from the final delivery.

Herath hasn't been hit to the rope too often but he's often too short which allows England to pick the gaps in the field. Root and Trott share four singles in the spinner's over. Four overs until the batting powerplay has to be taken.

Mathews brings himself back on for a fresh spell. The seamer is straight early on to force Root into some good defensive strokes. Root mistimes a cut shot but still manages to sneak a single on the off-side. Trott does well to pick the slower ball but can't find a run to mid-on. A flick to deep square-leg brings two. Good return for Mathews and a run is taken off England's total when Billy Bowden confirms Trott didn't make it into the crease when running the two.

Root calls for two as soon as he cuts the ball through the covers and he runs well to collect a couple. The batsmen then take the singles on offer for the remainder of the over to pick up five more.

Root pulls the ball powerfully and a fumble from Perera in the deep allows England to sneak two runs. Impressive start to the innings from Root, who adds another to point. Trott drives a fuller ball straight at Chandimal, who's positioned at cover. A single to long-on allows Trott to reach FIFTY from 63 balls. Classic Trott innings but he'll want to stay out their for the rest of the overs too. Seven from the over, time for drinks.

England are set for a good score at The Oval but with the powerplay just an over away, when do they attack?

Root continues to find the gaps easily, collecting two off Herath to deep square-leg before adding another to mid-wicket. Trott hands the strike back to his partner with a single. A better length from Herath forces Root to defend. Four from the over.

The batting powerplay begins and Mathews responds by immediately bringing back Malinga. Two dot balls are followed by a cut to deep point from Trott for a couple. Good intent shown by Trott a ball later as he chips a fuller delivery over mid-wicket for four. An open faced shot to third man brings the same batsman a single. Seven from Malinga's return.

Eranga returns to the attack for the second over of the powerplay. A full toss is punched into the leg-side for one by Trott. Root's late cut is stopped by Dilshan at backward point. However, there's no fielder in place a ball later when Root scoops a full toss over short fine-leg for four. A single is then driven to deep cover for one before Trott hurries a single to mid-on.

Trott gets off strike at the start of a new over with a single to third-man. A slower full toss squirms away past backward point for two more and Root follows that up with a pull in front of square for a single. Malinga loses his accuracy and is punished for a leg-side wide. Trott runs well to earn one to mid-on. A miscued pull shot splits the fielders on the off-side and Root hurries two more. England's running has been very impressive throughout this innings.

Trott is forced to stretch to get his bat on a wider one from Eranga and Root does the same a ball later to give England their second run from the first two deliveries. Jayawardene does his best in the deep to catch Trott's powerful drive but the fielder's flick actually helps the ball to the rope. Eranga is punished for a big wide before being steered to deep cover for one. Root does well to make good contact with a fuller ball and picks up a single from the final delivery.

Oh dear, Dilshan. Root completely miscues a big shot and looks set to be caught just behind square on the off-side. However, Dilshan struggles to make the ground and puts down his third catch of the day. England take two as Dilshan stares at the ground embarrassed. Three singles from the next three balls helps England to 200. Trott eyes a big shot down the ground but he doesn't make great contact and is fortunate to see the ball drop short of the fielder at mid-on. One more single and it's six from the over.

England are cruising at the moment. 10 overs left in the innings and with big hitters to come they will be eyeing a total close to 280.

Kulasekara's return doesn't start well as Trott smacks the ball over mid-wicket for four runs. A single brings Root on strike and he fails to make contact with a well disguised slower ball. Root shows great timing just a ball later to launch a full toss over mid-wicket for four. A powerful drive through cover earns Root two more thanks to some impressive running. One more single and Root will keep the strike for the next over.

Herath comes back into the attack to bowl his final over. England pick the gaps impressively once again. Root reaches his FIFTY from just 43 balls when he sweeps through mid-wicket for a single.

A superb innings from Trott comes to an end. Herath delivers a quicker ball and traps the batsman as he tries to sweep to fine-leg. Time for Eoin Morgan, we could be set for some fireworks.

Morgan is given the strike for the first time when Root takes a single down the ground at the start of Kulasekara's over. The new batsman gets off the mark with a steered single to third-man. Root switches hands to scoop the ball over third-man to hit four in impressive fashion. A chipped single to mid-off is then rushed by Root and he'll keep the strike.

Root has 56 from 48 balls but has only reached the rope three times. That shows you how impressive his running has been.

Awful from Sri Lanka! Root hits a slower ball straight into the air but Sangakkara is clearly worried about Mathews at square-leg as he runs over to take what looks to be a routine catch. The wicketkeeper manages to drop the ball and Root survives. Morgan drives two through the covers before collecting a single just in front of point. Shot of the day from Root, who sits back to drive Malinga through the off-side for four. A dot ball is followed by an identical shot to the boundary from Root. Brilliant batting.

Root gets off strike with a single at the start of a new over from Eranga. Morgan lofts the ball over the fielders on the off-side for two before seeing a powerful drive travel straight to Mathews at cover. Root steps away to scoop the ball over Sangakkara again but he only picks up two for his trouble this time. Five overs left in the innings.

Morgan meets a full toss from Malinga with the toe of his bat but he still manages to collect four over mid-wicket. The bowler pushes the ball wide of off-stump to restrict Morgan to a single on the off-side.

Root attempts to launch a slower ball into the stands but his fantastic innings comes to an end when Jayawardene takes a simple catch in the deep. Superb knock from a player who just keeps getting better.

Malinga gets his second wicket in two balls when Morgan is struck on the pad. Brave decision from Billy Bowden with the batsman taking a big step out of his crease but Morgan must go. Malinga on a hat-trick.

Bopara can't help but share a smile with Malinga after keeping out a slower ball yorker on hat-trick ball. A replay suggests Morgan was struck outside the line of off-stump, so he'll feel a bit unlucky. Great over from Malinga.

Kulasekara returns to the attack and finds a thin edge second ball to send Buttler back to the dressing room. Brilliant fightback from Sri Lanka. England now have two new batsmen at the crease.

Bresnan gets off strike immediately and is able to sneak another following a poor throw at the stumps. The new batsman finds another with a push into the off-side. A superb slower ball then deceives Bopara. Impressive bowling at the death from Sri Lanka.

Bresnan nudges the ball to long-on for one to give the strike to Bopara, who gets off the strike with a miscued loft down the ground for a single.

Bresnan's eyes light up when Eranga delivers a length ball but he can't make contact and is clean bowled. Time for Stuart Broad. 280 seems a long way off now for England.

Broad gets off the mark from the final ball to steal the strike. Two overs left in the innings.

Malinga's dipping slower ball is guided to point for one by Broad. Bopara flicks the next delivery off his toes for another run. England look more than happy to just take singles from Malinga's final over before Bopara shows good attacking intent to sneak two to long-on. One more single gives Broad the strike and he ends the over with a brilliant lofted shot over mid-off for four.

Great way to begin the final over as Bopara steps across his stumps to launch Eranga over mid-wicket for six. The bowler responds with a slower ball but Bopara adjusts well to collect four more on the leg-side. Huge shot from Bopara! Eranga goes wide and the batsman reacts by lofting the ball over extra cover for six more. It just keeps getting worse for Eranga as an attempted yorker is punched down the ground for four more. In the midst of all that madness, Billy Bowden has an embarrassing moment as he slips over while trying to retrieve his hat. Another yorker is pushed down the ground for two more. Special over from Bopara and he finishes the innings by hitting his third six, this time over mid-wicket.

Amazing batting from Bopara. The mood was low after those flurry of wickets but some superb hitting from the Essex ace has helped England record a very impressive total. Cook, Trott and Root were all in good form but it's that last over which could prove to be important.

Sri Lanka will need 294 runs to avoid crashing out of the tournament at the group stage. How important will that final over of 28 be? Join me in around 25 minutes when Sri Lanka will begin their reply.

Welcome back. England's critics will continue to take aim at the top three in the batting order but there's no doubting that Cook's men were impressive in that first innings. Sri Lanka face a tough task to stay in the competition.

Perera and Dilshan are out in the middle. Sri Lanka must enjoy a good start at The Oval. James Anderson will bowl the first over.

There's a hint of movement in the air but Anderson is too wide at the start of the over. Perera defends well when the bowler finds a straighter line. The left-handed opener gets off the mark with a single to fine-leg. Dilshan flicks his first ball off his pads for four behind square on the leg-side. Anderson isn't too pleased with his start, five from the over.

Broad begins the second over well by pinning Perera to his crease. Three dot balls are followed by a big shot over the leg-side for a one-bounce four. A wayward throw from Anderson at mid-on allows Perera to sneak a single.

Perera's intent was clear, he wanted to get his side off to a fast start. However, a lofted shot down the ground goes horribly wrong and Bopara is able to take an easy catch at mid-on. Important early wicket for England.

Sangakkara is the new batsman and you feel that Sri Lanka need at least one of their senior players to make a big score. A slice through point allows the new batsman to get off the mark with two runs. Huge appeal from England when Buttler takes a catch behind the stumps. No reaction from Billy Bowden and that's a good decision, with replays showing the ball clipped the thigh. Sangakkara takes a single from the final ball to keep the strike.

Broad is slightly shorter to Sangakkara, who takes a single from the third ball. Dilshan gets some bat on a miscued pull shot to earn four through fine-leg. Broad strays onto the pads again and Dilshan helps himself to another run behind square on the leg-side.

Dilshan plays a lovely drive at the start of Anderson's over but picks out Bopara, who is hailed by the supporters for the piece of fielding and his earlier knock. A leg-bye allows Sri Lanka to rotate the strike and Sangakkara follows that with a superbly timed pull through square-leg for four. Another leg-bye is taken and it's six from the over.

Sangakkara nudges two into the leg-side early in the over. Broad finds some extra bounce when he nips one past the batsman's outside edge on two occasions. A flick to fine-leg gives the strike to Dilshan, who defends the final ball of the over.

Sangakkara pushes the ball to mid-off and is forced to hurry to complete the single. Anderson is slightly too wide and Dilshan is able to pick up a run to third-man. Good over from Anderson, with just two runs being scored.

Sri Lanka will be aware that one big partnership could give them a real chance this evening. A flurry of wickets could quickly see their hopes disappear though.

Broad cannot believe he hasn't removed Dilshan when he sneaks the ball past the inside edge. A thick edge squirms into the leg-side and gives Dilshan the opportunity to pick up a run. Broad delivers a shorter ball but he's met by a brilliant Sangakkara shot over the off-side for four. The bowler's mood doesn't improve when he strays onto the pads to concede four more to fine-leg. Good over for Sri Lanka.

Anderson finds a good line to Dilshan, who is forced to defend before sneaking a single. Sangakkara clips another run through the leg-side. It's another tight over from England's leading wicket taker in this format.

Bresnan is into the attack for the first time but a loose first ball is punished and sent to the rope on the off-side for four. A drive through the covers brings three more to Sangakkara. Bresnan finds a better line to Dilshan but the opener looks in good form as he tucks a couple of defensive strokes away.

Interesting move from Cook to bring Root into the attack after 10 overs. Sangakkara drops to one knee to sweep through fine-leg for three. Dilshan may attack the slower bowler at some point but he looks tentative as he punches a full toss down the ground for one. Sangakkara finds another through mid-wicket before Dilshan completes the over with a single through square-leg. Good start for Root.

Dilshan is bemused when a leg-side bouncer is not given as a wide. Bresnan is then flicked away to fine-leg for two by Sri Lanka's opener before a similar shot brings one more. Sangakkara swings at a wider ball and could have easily sent an edge to Buttler. A shorter ball invites another risky shot but again, there's no edge involved.

Root's first ball of a new over is sliced through the covers for one by Dilshan. Sangakkara collects another on the leg-side before a brief delay ensues when Billy Bowden's hat goes AWOL. Dilshan cuts two through point but it's another decent over from Root.

Sangakkara and Dilshan trade singles early in Bresnan's over. A clip through mid-wicket brings two before Sangakkara opens the face of the bat to guide a single to third-man. Dilshan takes on the bouncer but only earns a single with a pull to fine-leg.

Dilshan sweeps at the start of Root's over and earns four thanks to some poor fielding at fine-leg. The opener knows it's time to take on Root and he then skips down the pitch to loft a straight six. A single through mid-wicket hands the strike to Sangakkara, who reaches the rope down the ground with a club over the bowler's head. Two more singles and it's 17 from the over. Much better from Sri Lanka and in particular Dilshan, who had looked scratchy at the crease.

Dilshan clips Bresnan to fine-leg for a quick two at the start of a new over, with a replay showing the batsman had made his ground before Buttler could whip the bails off. Sri Lanka are happy when Bresnan is finally punished for bowling a wide over the head of Sangakkara. A leg-bye is taken from the final ball. Sri Lanka are still below the required rate, which is currently at six an over.

Swann is into the attack for the first time in the game. Dilshan starts the over by sneaking a single on the off-side. A good attacking field from Cook means that singles are hard to come by. Sangakkara can only add one more on the leg-side before Dilshan makes it three from the over down the ground. Time for a drinks break.

Sri Lanka are looking pretty comfortable at the moment. Dilshan has 40, Sangakkara is on 44 but they still need 201 more runs to keep their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive.

Dilshan guides a single to third-man and Sangakkara's nudge down the ground is the only other run in the over. Tight bowling from Bresnan, England need plenty more of that.

Sangakkara collects two early on in Swann's over. Superb bowling later on from England's spinner, who beats the outside edge with a quicker one. There's certainly some turn for Swann. Just two from the over.

Bopara comes into the attack after 19 overs following his earlier heroics with the bat. It's a tidy over from the medium pace, with Dilshan and Sangakkara being given very little freedom. Two singles collected by Sri Lanka. Good spell of pressure from England.

Sangakkara sits back in his crease to push Swann through cover for one. Dilshan is eager to play the spinner as late as possible and he nudges another single down the ground.

Dilshan gets the strike back later in the over but his hard work is ruined when he lofts the ball into Root's hands at long-on. Big wicket as Sri Lanka had started to look very comfortable.

Jayawardene comes to the crease and is immediately hit on the pad. Swann appeals vigorously for lbw but there's no reaction from the umpires. Good over for the spinner.

Sangakkara reaches FIFTY for the second time in the tournament with a single to long-on but his job is far from finished. Bopara persists with a very straight line and there's only the one run available for Sri Lanka.

A push down the ground for one brings Jayawardene on strike and he gets off the mark with a single behind square on the leg-side. Swann gives the ball some flight but Sangakkara waits before lofting the ball over mid-off for four. A shorter delivery is then pulled away for a single. Seven from the over.

Bopara delivers his first poor ball of his spell, conceding a wide down the leg-side. A push past mid-on for one is followed by a single through extra cover. Sangakkara uses his feet well to nudge the ball to mid-off and hurry another run.Two more singles and it's an easy six from the over.

Swann is giving the ball plenty of flight in an attempt to encourage a big shot. Sangakkara and Jayawardene refuse to take any risks in the over though, collecting just three singles from the six balls bowled.

The umpires are not happy with one of the balls and a replacement is quickly brought out. Cook is clearly not happy as England have been trying to get that one to reverse swing.

Too short from Bopara at the beginning of a new over and Sangakkara pulls the ball behind square for four runs. Cook does well at mid-off to bloc the batsman's drive but no one can prevent a single from being taken through square-leg. One more from the over and it's six scored for Sri Lanka.

Swann is doing his best to drag Jayawardene outside the line of off-stump. The number four gets off strike with a chip into the leg-side for one. Sangakkara is almost caught in the middle of the pitch following a mix-up with his partner but returns to his crease safely. A shorter ball is dragged to fine-leg for two more.

Broad returns to the attack but the bowler can only admire Jayawardene when the batsman launches the second ball of the over straight down the ground for six. A cut shot to the fielder at deep point hands the strike to Sangakkara. Broad delivers a leg-side wide before being tucked away for a single. We could be in for a close finish tonight.

Sangakkara's attempts for a single are halted early in the over but he eventually finds the gap with a cut through the off-side for one. Jayawardene clips Swann over square-leg for another but it's just two from the over.

Broad is too short and Jayawardene is beginning to build in confidence as he works the ball through square-leg for four. A late cut rotates the strike and Sangakkara then lives dangerously when he considers swinging at a bouncer. Jayawardene gets the strike back later in the over and he stands tall to play a stunning pull shot for four. Good over for Sri Lanka, 11 runs scored when Jayawardene adds one more single.

Sri Lanka need 144 more to win from 20 overs.

Swann is frustrated when Jayawardene reverse sweeps for three runs. Jonny Bairstow, on for Trott who is currently icing a sore thigh, fields impressively in the deep to prevent the boundary. Sangakkara is happy to take a single with Jayawardene playing as fluently as he is at the moment. Morgan does superbly at deep square-leg to stop another sweep but Sri Lanka still run a single.

Bopara is back following Broad's expensive over but the change doesn't deter Jayawardene, who helps the ball to the rope behind square on the leg-side for four more. Root does superbly in the deep on the off-side to stop a drive reach the rope, with Sri Lanka only picking up two. Jayawardene then guides a single to third-man before Sangakkara punches the ball through mid-wicket for a couple more. England continue to impress in the field as Broad dives to stop Sangakkara's straight lofted shot reaching the boundary. 11 runs from the over.

Jayawardene sits deep in his crease to guide Swann to third man for one. Sangakkara rocks back to push another single through cover. Easy pickings throughout the over for Sri Lanka, with six runs being scored.

Cook realises how important it is to take a wicket soon and he reacts by bringing Anderson back for a new spell. The seamer is so close to removing Sangakkara on his return but a thick edge sails past a diving Buttler. Sangakkara moves to 85 with a single through the covers before Jayawardene pushes another to mid-wicket. Bopara does superbly at mid-on to restrict Sangakkara to just a single later in the over. One more run added on the leg-side. Time for a drinks break.

The batting powerplay is just around the corner. Those five overs could be crucial. It's turning into a thriller at The Oval.

Cook holds back Swann from bowling his final over and brings Bopara back just before the powerplay. Jayawardene guides the ball to third man before Sangakkara drives the ball into the air for two more on the off-side. Bresnan reacts well at mid-off to stop a drive from racing to the rope. Jayawardene drives a fuller ball through the covers for a single. Two more and it's six from the over.

Anderson begins the first over of the powerplay with one that bounces sharply and hits the shoulder of the bat.

Massive moment in this game! Jayawardene clips the second ball of the powerplay over square-leg but he doesn't make great contact and Bairstow takes the catch. Anderson is delighted, he knows how important that could be.

Kulasekara comes in at five for Sri Lanka, he may have instructions to attack immediately. A thick edge from Sangakkara evades Cook at gully and gives the strike to the new batsman. Anderson uses the short ball but his final ball is too high, according to the umpires and a wide is given. Just two runs and a wicket from the 36th over.

Bresnan returns to the attack for a new spell. Sangakkara risks a single to cover, with Bell just missing his throw the stumps. Bresnan is too short and Kulasekara pulls through the gap at mid-wicket for four. A leg-side wide is given as a wide to the frustration of the bowler. An ugly heave drops agonisingly short of Anderson at mid-off. Bresnan continues to use the short ball but Kulasekara does well to pick up a single through square-leg. Sangakkara adds one more single from the final ball to move to 94.

Anderson is slightly too wide at the start of the over and that allows Sangakkara to steer the ball past point for two. A single hands the strike to Kulasekara, who backs away from the stumps but misses with a wild swing outside off-stump. Kulasekara picks the slower bouncer well to earn a single behind square on the leg-side. Sangakkara adds a quick run to mid-off before Buttler produces a superb piece of wicketkeeping to stop an inside edge from squirming away to fine-leg.

Bresnan is too full and Sangakkara helps himself to a single through cover to move to 99. Kulasekara is completely deceived by a good slower ball before missing out with a swing at a quicker bouncer. The batsman then heaves the ball into the leg-side and is fortunate to see it drop just short of Bairstow at mid-wicket. Bresnan pushes the limit again and a wide is given by Billy Bowden. Kulasekara works a yorker away for a single and Sangakkara then reaches his CENTURY with a push to long-off. Fantastic innings from one of the greats of the game but he'll want to guide Sri Lanka to glory.

Big mix-up between the two Sri Lankans and Sangakkara looks like he could be run out when he falls in the middle of the pitch. However, the throw is wayward and the batsmen quickly recover. Anderson is doing well to find the yorker but Sri Lanka continue to pick up singles. Sangakkara ends the over with a big shot over mid-wicket for four. End of the powerplay and Sri Lanka are still in a very good position.

Sri Lanka need 76 from the last 10 overs.

Bresnan is too wide and too short at the start of the over, allowing Kulasekara to drive the ball through extra cover for four runs. A single hands the strike to Sangakkara, who rotates the strike again with one to mid-wicket. Kulasekara shows his power with four over square-leg. Two more added and it's 11 from the over.

Sri Lanka are in control at the moment. Cook needs one of his bowlers to produce a big over. Broad is back into the attack.

Kulasekara lofts the ball to long-on for one at the start of the over before Sangakkara guides the ball through the covers for a single. A shot straight down the ground brings another to Kulasekara before Sangakkara rotates the strike again with a thick edge through square-leg. Broad's good over is ruined when he strays onto the pads and is punished when a deflection races to the rope at fine-leg. 57 needed from the last eight overs.

Swann comes back into the attack to bowl his final over. Sangakkara hits the first ball through extra cover for two before slicing the next delivery past point for one. Brilliant from Kulasekara! Swann is slightly too short on two occasions and the batsman, who was promoted up the order, heaves two consecutive sixes over mid-wicket. Kulasekara then adds another to long-on. Those two maximums have put Sri Lanka in charge, they need just 41 from 42 balls.

Astonishing few moments for Kulasekara. Broad's first ball is pulled into the air and, despite not finding the middle of the bat, Kulasekara has six more. The next delivery is an attempted yorker but Kulasekara steps away to drill four more down the ground. Broad has a conversation with Cook midway through the over but it makes no difference as Kulasekara reaches FIFTY with four more over extra cover. Superb innings and he's surely handed the game to Sri Lanka. 16 runs from Broad's over.

What a decision to send Kulasekara in at five. Just 25 more runs needed for a brilliant victory.

Bresnan returns but the change brings no immediate joy as Sangakkara shuffles across the crease to crunch the ball through mid-wicket for four. A push to cover brings the centurion a quick single. Kulasekara targets the leg-side again but only earns a single this time. Six from the over.

Anderson's new over is lobbed over mid-on for two runs by Kulasekara. A full delivery is edged away for one and Sangakkara adds another with a cut over point. Kulasekara ducks a bouncer but it doesn't matter as the delivery is given as a wide. Anderson catches the edge but Buttler fails to take the catch diving to his right. Three more runs taken before Sangakkara ends the over in style with four straight down the ground.

There's been a bit of a war of words between Anderson and Sangakkara. I think the latter will be the only one smiling in a few minutes. Seven more runs needed.

Kulasekara chips the ball to long-on for one at the start of the over. Sangakkara steers a couple through extra cover, just four more needed. Broad prevents Sangakkara's pull shot from reaching the rope but Sri Lanka sneak two more. One more from the over on the off-side and the scores are now level.

SRI LANKA WIN BY SEVEN WICKETS: Sangakkara pulls the ball to the rope to confirm the victory for Sri Lanka. Stunning performance from Sangakkara and Kulasekara. It looked like it would be close but in the end, Sri Lanka have reached the total with ease.

After a fantastic game at The Oval, Group A suddenly looks completely different. England will now need to beat New Zealand this weekend, while Sri Lanka head into their final group game against Australia with renewed confidence.

Sri Lanka timed that run chase perfectly. The decision to promote Kulasekara was inspired and it was his brilliant half-century that changed the game.

Return to Sports Mole tomorrow morning for live coverage of South Africa vs. West Indies. That's it for me today. Sri Lanka were on the brink of exiting this tournament earlier today and they're now looking a side who could go far in this tournament. England must improve against New Zealand or they could miss out on that semi-final place. The Champions Trophy continues to fascinate us and there's plenty more cricket to come. Goodbye.