Experienced Lasith Malinga (4/43) emerged as the star in Sri Lanka’s stunning 20-run World Cup win over England at Headingley on Friday.
England were all but out of the match after slumping to 186 for nine from 170 for four as they chased 233 for victory.
Ben Stokes’s blistering 82 not out off 89 balls, including seven fours and fours sixes, got them to within sight of their target.
But Stokes’s gamble on giving Mark Wood a ball to face at the end of a Nuwan Pradeep over backfired when the No. 11 was caught behind as Sri Lanka won with three overs to spare.
Earlier, Angelo Mathews’s gritty unbeaten 85 not out from 115 deliveries, with just five fours, helped the Islanders recover from a top-order collapse to finish on 232 for nine.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:
What a thrilling game today! In-form Malinga's 4 for 43 leads Srilanka to a convincing victory. Well deserved, Srilanka. The second half of the tournament is getting tight. #ENGVSL #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/QS5Hn4m0Ni
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) June 21, 2019
Brilliant stuff from Sri Lanka.
What they didn't do with the bat, they more than compensated with the ball.
Malinga and Co. were disciplined & troubled the batsmen.
With England still needing to play Australia, New Zealand & India, the #CWC19 may throw up a few surprises.#ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/T4mHATZiz2— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 21, 2019
Excellent performance from Sri Lanka to beat England.
England have India, Australia and New Zealand to play with and will have to win 2 out of these 3.
World Cup is alive #EngvSL— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 21, 2019
What a performance by @OfficialSLC great win inspired bowling by lasith Malinga and danajaya de silva . WOW. Hope this is the catalyst for the team to believe even more. Now for the batsmen to respond with heart
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 21, 2019
Well done Sri Lanka. Fantastic win. Malinga and Matthews, showing what experience can do in crunch situations. Makes the table interesting #ENGvSL
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 21, 2019
Great win boys!!!!! Lasith Malinga You beauty 👊 well done @IamDimuth under pressure delivered. Played @Angelo69Mathews 👍
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 21, 2019
Well Done Sri Lanka … Fantastic spirit showed today … Lasith Malinga take a bow … Magnificent display … !! #CWC19
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 21, 2019
Sensational defence of a small total. Sri Lanka making the world cup interesting.
Whats next guys? #ENGvSL #CWC19— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 21, 2019
Well done @OfficialSLC What an incredible win !!!! Lion heart guys !! @Lasith99Malinga the brave heart #EngvSL #CWC2019
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 21, 2019
Malinga is a champion. Fantastic win for Sri Lanka. Showing what they are capable of #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/w70tT5bsKJ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 21, 2019
Today some what I was feeling after seeing Malinga’s first over that Srilanka will win. Great win Srilanka & very well bowled game changer Malinga #ENGvSL #WorldCup2019 @OfficialSLC
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) June 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1142117522063290368
What magical bowling performance from @OfficialSLC 👏👏👏 Great stuff gents! The ‘old gun slinger’ a fab four-fa 👊🏻😬😎Well done Lasith 😃 #Headingleyhappiness @cricketworldcup
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) June 21, 2019
What a win @OfficialSLC . @Lasith99Malinga u beauty. Great team work .
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 21, 2019
What a game of cricket. Don’t underestimated Sri Lankan’s( lions). Any time they can bounced back. What performances by @Angelo69Mathews @KusalMendis1 and Avishka from bat. Lasith always unstoppable. Nuwan and @IAmIsuru17 and @Dhananjaya7575. @MichaelVaughan @KP24 @OfficialSLC
— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika) June 21, 2019
One of the finest World Cup wins. Considering the strengths/weaknesses/form and expectations in mind. Well played, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰👏👏 #EngvSL #CWC19
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 21, 2019
Unbelievable stuff from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
The Lankan bowlers especially Malinga was superb from the start.
Kudos to @OfficialSLC!
The #CWC19 just got interesting.#ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/eYFY74xetd— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) June 21, 2019
Congratulations Srilanka .. what a brilliant bowling performance !!#LionsRoar #CWC19
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) June 21, 2019
The tournament is alive… #CWC19 #ENGvSL
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 21, 2019
Great win by #srilanka no one gave them chance to win against the mighty English team. Malinga was at his best with the new ball as well old. #ENGvsSL #WorldCup
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 21, 2019
Take note guys !!!!! https://t.co/A1t0lolucS
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 21, 2019
