Cricket
Lasith Malinga took four important wickets as Sri Lanka beat England by 20 runs.
Updated : Jun 21, 2019, 11:24 PM IST
Lasith Malinga ripped through the England batting line-up with four wickets as Sri Lanka handed the favourites a 20-run defeat in a low-scoring World Cup match at Headingley on Friday.
Chasing 233 for victory on a slow track, England struggled against veteran Malinga's variations before they fell to their second defeat of the tournament, squandering an opportunity to join holders Australia at the top of the standings.
Malinga, who finished with figures of 4-43, became only the third bowler to capture 50 or more wickets in the competition after Australia's Glenn McGrath (71), his compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan (68) and Pakistan's Wasim Akram (55).
Former cricketers, experts and fans were full of praise for Malinga after his performance in the match:
Lasith Malinga does it yet again in a World Cup.
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 21, 2019
He's today's Player of the Match.#CWC19 | #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/MHpyilduZR
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
Brilliant from Sri Lanka. England showing a soft underbelly in chases? Delighted for Malinga.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 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
Lasith Malinga should be mentioned on the same page as Muttiah Muralidharan when they write the history of Sri Lankan Cricket. #ENGvSL
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) 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
Hence proved once a legend, always a legend! What a treat to watch Malinga bowling
— Abdullah (@SaidbyAbdullah) June 21, 2019
Wonderful performance by Sri Lanka. This is what you call “team work” England were out classed! #ENGvSL #cwc19
Earlier, England's pace duo of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood claimed three wickets each to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total of 232-9 from their 50 overs with Angelo Mathews top-scoring with an unbeaten 85 off 115 balls. Archer's 3-52 made him the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Australia's Mitchell Starc with 15.