Leeds: It was a huge upset. Though Sri Lanka is considered a spirited team, nobody was giving them a chance against England. Yet Lanka pulled off a coup of sorts. More important, England is now no longer looking smug; rather they are suddenly concerned about their semi-final place. Sport buffs can keep trying to decipher the defeat: How England failed to chase a meagre target of 233 and ended 20 short. PTI ADDS: It was Lanka all the way. Angelo Mathews hit a patient fifty before veteran pacer Lasith Malinga returned with a sensational four-wicket haul to keep their World Cup semi-final hopes alive.
Electing to bat, Lanka managed a modest 232 for nine, riding on an unbeaten 115-ball 85 by Mathews. The 1996 champions then returned to dismiss England for 212 in 47 overs to register only their second win in this World Cup. The win took Sri Lanka to fifth spot with six points from six matches, while England remained in third spot with eight points from six games.
