SL win series with one ball to spare

24 June 2014 06:48 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

England fell two balls short of a remarkable escape as Sri Lanka won the second Test by 100 runs to secure a 1-0 series victory.

Last man James Anderson was caught at leg gully off Shaminda Eranga from the penultimate ball of the second Test at Headingley.

Anderson had survived for 20 overs in the company of Moeen Ali, who almost saved England with an impressive maiden Test century.

But, when the number 11 failed to ride a brutal bouncer, the ball looped to Rangana Herath to see England bowled out for 249 and beaten by 100 runs.

Anderson slumped over his bat in disappointment, while Sri Lanka huddled on the pitch to celebrate their first series triumph in England, having won a one-off Test in 1998.

For England the loss not only delivers a sixth defeat in seven Tests, but also provides Peter Moores with defeat in his first series since being reappointed as coach.

The series loss will also put more pressure on captain Alastair Cook to deliver both runs and results in the five-match rubber against India, which begins on 9 July.

However, the drama in which this latest defeat arrived may at least mask some of the deficiencies that saw England surrender an advantage that, at tea on the second day, looked impregnable.

As it was, a collapse of eight wickets for 87 runs, a masterful 160 from Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews and a fourth-evening collapse saw England begin the fifth day 57-5 in pursuit of 350. (BBC)

England vs Sri Lanka Scorecard

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 20

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 25 June 2014 03:34 AM

Nail biting Test Match ever seen in my life with one ball to spare, like an exiting ODI. Great job Lankan Lions.... congratulations...keep it up.

Muthyavan. Thursday, 26 June 2014 04:30 PM

Congratulations. cricket is the only thing makes Sri Lanka happy and united. via DM iPad app

madhu Thursday, 26 June 2014 01:05 AM

well done brows.u r done it very well via DM Android App

rosebud Wednesday, 25 June 2014 01:56 PM

Both teams played excellent cricket - the better side won and they deserved to do so. Well done boys Proud to be Sri Lankan via DM Android App

Iqbal Wednesday, 25 June 2014 08:01 AM

Well done sri lankans, we are united

GAMINI Wednesday, 25 June 2014 07:56 AM

Where is that unlucky PAUL FABRACE..

kankan Wednesday, 25 June 2014 05:36 AM

Wee done, congratulations. Keep the team intact for forthcoming World Cup.

Sammy Wednesday, 25 June 2014 05:27 AM

Superb win. Congrats to the SL team. A very successful tour of England indeed. A very goodvd97h mix of youth and experience. Angelo Mathew is blossoming into becoming an outstanding captain.

sudak Wednesday, 25 June 2014 04:36 AM

very well done our lion heros! hats off to you brave lions and making our nation proud.....

A team effort and the real captain cool i Mattews

Suq Madique Wednesday, 25 June 2014 03:51 AM

They stole our coach just before the series, accused our star bowler of chucking, belittled our pace attack, abused us verbally, bowled short at our tail-enders and accused of not playing in the spirit of the game...well we rubbed their snotty noses in the dirt and showed them the stuff we're made of. Well done to the whole team, SLC officials excluded!

Farhan Wednesday, 25 June 2014 12:26 AM

Well done boys. You played like lions. A slap in the face for Paul Farbrace. via DM Android App

mnsmart Wednesday, 25 June 2014 03:04 AM

This is called teamwork... well done boys, keep going.

Senarath Wednesday, 25 June 2014 01:58 AM

Well done Sri Lanka. This achievement is a memorable one, despite all the harassments made by them.

Phantom Wednesday, 25 June 2014 01:49 AM

Take a bow, boys that was one hell of a performance you gave especially when you rubbed it in on the Pomies. Congratulations! We also take our hast off to Moin Ally, the lone wolf who nearly took the game away from the lions. Jolly good show, Moin!

Adrian Wednesday, 25 June 2014 01:47 AM

Well said. Especially the last sentence.

mohamed sheriff Wednesday, 25 June 2014 06:48 AM

well done lions.we showed the world that we can do it.srilanka cricket in the right path.well done to our selectors for taking the right team to uk. via DM Android App

xpert Wednesday, 25 June 2014 12:50 AM

CONGRADULATION LIONS!!

dickey bird Wednesday, 25 June 2014 12:26 AM

Congratulations tiny heroes !!!!!!!!!!!!!
How whazzzzzzzz zaaaattttttttttt ?

You brought honour & respect to Sri Lanka in the cricketting world AND showed the world where Sri Lanka was in the World Map...................

A big thank you is not enough for such a heroic effort............
Nevertheless a big thank you from me.

It was worth the wait and the burning of the midnight oil.
Llast but not least, a word of vaution to the Officials & Politicians do not cash in the team's success its for the public like me & the Team. BRAVO !!!!!!!!!!!

Mutu Tuesday, 24 June 2014 10:24 PM

Well done SL. Also pl. don't forget ECB robbed SL coach Paul Fabrace prior to the tour in an unfair manner and this is "Dittadhamma vedaneeya" karma for that robbery. Lost both one day series and Test series.

sarathsk Wednesday, 25 June 2014 12:43 AM

Congratulations Sri Lankal Boys you made us proud by fighting hard despite England stealing our coach just before commencement of the tour. via DM Android App

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

SL win series with one ball to spare

Comments - 20

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings