Sri Lanka go down fighting as England reach semis

DELHI: England have qualified for the semi-finals after defeating Sri Lanka by ten runs in Super Ten Group One match of the World Twenty20 here at Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Saturday night.

Chasing a daunting target of 172, Sri Lanka made a disastrous start losing four early wickets for just 15 runs.

However, captain Angelo Mathews came to rescue and along with Chamara Kapugedera took the team out of trouble, adding 80 runs for the fifth wicket stand.

Then after Kapugedera’s exit after scoring 30, Mathews found another partner in Thisara Perera and added further 37 runs with him before Perera departed after making 20 off 11 balls.

Now Sri Lanka needed 35 runs with four wickets in hand, and Mathews, having completed his fifty, was still at the crease. Dasun Shanaka joined him and both took the score to 155 but two wickets fell in the 19th over - Shanaka and then Herath were gone.

In the final over, they needed 15 runs to win but Ben Stokes bowled intelligently to concede only four runs and England emerged victorious in the end.

Mathews remained not out on 73. He faced 54 balls and struck five sixes and three fours.

Chris Jordan was the most successful bowler for England taking four for 28 while David Willey got two for 26.

Earlier, England made 171 for four after being sent into bat, thanks to Jos Buttler, who scored an unbeaten 66 from 37 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

Buttler, the top-scorer, remained not out on 66. He struck eight fours and two sixes in his 37-ball innings.

Jason Roy also batted well, scoring 42 with three fours and two sixes.