SM
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: 3 hrs 25 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara heroics in vain as England lose opening ODI with Sri Lanka

:Headline: Result: Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara heroics in vain as England lose opening ODI with Sri Lanka: ID:190242: from db_amp
England suffer a 25-run defeat in the opening one-day international with Sri Lanka, despite Moeen Ali's maiden century and Ravi Bopara's lower-order exploits in Colombo.

Moeen Ali's maiden one-day international century and Ravi Bopara's lower-order exploits were in vain as England came up short against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The tourists suffered a 25-run defeat in the opener of a seven-match series as they failed to chase down 318 despite two impressive individual performances.

Alastair Cook inserted the Lions on a pitch which he was hoping may get some assistance from the wet weather which had delayed the start of the match by an hour.

However, rustiness showed in an England attack which has not had a competitive outing since September, and Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kushal Perera were quick to take advantage of anything loose.

They put on 120 in good time and did not look in trouble until they gifted England a first wicket with a run-out. A mix-up left Perera (59) stranded, and Kumar Sangakkara soon followed lbw to Moeen's off-spin.

Mahela Jayawardene came to the crease and Sri Lanka went about building another substantial partnership, but Dilshan (88) fell short of his hundred when his leading edge presented Chris Woakes with a return catch.

The largely economical spin of James Tredwell picked up Jayawardene (55) and Angelo Mathews (33) in successive balls, but Lahiru Thirimanne and Jeevan Mendis blasted the hosts to 317-6 from 50 overs.

England's response was initially promising as Moeen flourished in his new role at the top of the order, after partner Cook had survived two lbw reviews in an action-packed first Mathews over.

The Worcestershire star dominated an opening stand of 51 which was ended when Cook was not spared for a third time, trapped in front by Dilshan for 10, although Moeen continued in his aggressive stride.

While the left-hander peppered the boundary on his way past fifty, England were losing wickets at the other end as Thisara Perera made better use of the conditions to have Ian Bell (35) and Joe Root (two) caught behind.

Eoin Morgan (one) and Jos Buttler also fell cheaply, but Moeen's rapid century - the third fastest in ODIs for England - ensured that the tourists were well up with the run rate when Bopara came in at 159-5.

Ali's memorable knock of 119 from 87 balls came to an end when he chipped back to Jeevan Mendis and, while Bopara continued the fight, two expert stumpings from Sangakkara did for Ben Stokes (16) and Woakes (7).

Running out of partners, the recalled all-rounder took more risks and got England to within 31 by the time that Tredwell was bowled by Ajantha Mendis to leave number 11 Harry Gurney as his last hope.

It proved to be too much for Bopara as an attempted leg-side slog went skywards, and Kushal Perera held on to a towering catch to see Sri Lanka draw first blood in a series which continues on Saturday.

amp_article__190242 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-11-27 15:20:23:
html db last update - 2014-11-27 15:20:23 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .