Thunderous rain washed out the 2nd innings of the 5th ODI between Sri Lanka vs England in Pallekelle as the game was pushed forward to the reserve day (11th December) with the hope of completing the game.
Earlier in the day, Alastair Cook returned to the England playing XI after serving a one-match suspension and he replaced Alex Hales. He won the toss and elected to field while Sri Lanka made one change bringing in cleared off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake in place of injured Rangana Herath.
Kusal Perera once again gave a poor start to the hosts when he edged a Steven Finn delivery straight to the safe hands of Chris Jordan at slips in the very first over to be dismissed for a second-ball duck. This was his sixth single-digit score in his last eight ODI innings. Renowned to score runs at this particular venue, TM Dilshan looked encouraging with 35 off 31 deliveries before being bowled by fast bowler Chris Jordan when an inside-edge shattered the stumps.
Chris Woakes took his first wicket of the day when he sent back Mahela Jayawardene for 2 leaving Sri Lanka innings wobbling at 59 for 3. The conditions were helping the seamers as run-making was difficult. Sri Lanka needed a stable partnership and once again Sangakkara and Mathews combined well to take Sri Lanka out of danger. Sangakkara played the long game, ably assisted by Mathews as they put up 85 valuable runs for the 4th wicket before Jordan hurried Angelo to play a false pull-shot and the Lankan skipper fell for 40.
Sangakkara reached his 91st ODI half-ton and the 4th consecutive in the series with a gentle but firm push down the ground off Moeen Ali. He adjusted well to the situation and showed his maturity and class throughout his innings to hold the Lankan innings together. Three overs of spin in the batting powerplay, including a maiden from off-spinner James Tredwell, helped England limit Sri Lanka to 25 for no loss. Tredwell then had Lahiru Thirimanne lbw sweeping at the start of the last 10 overs for 8. Woakes took the prized scalp of Kumar in the 45th over as he missed out on his 20th ton when he holed out to Joe Root attempting a leg-side heave.
Wickets kept on tumbling in search of quick runs and Sri Lankan innings was finally bowled out for 239 with one unused over in the bag. Thisara Perera’s late cameo of 27 runs in 17 balls with 4 fours and a six helped the host’s downward slopping innings. Right arm seamer Chris Woakes was the most impressive bowler taking 6 Lankan scalps for 47 runs in 8 overs.
Rain started to pour down during the interval and it did not stop until the ground was fully covered by water. The game was pushed to the reserve day by the officials and the match will resume from the start of the England innings with the same equation of 240 runs to win in 50 overs. The match will recommence at 2.30pm (SL time)
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