END OF OVER:20 | 8 Runs 2 Wkts | SL: 157/10 (31 runs required, RR: 7.85)
- Lakshan Sandakan1 (1b)
- Joe Denly4-0-19-4
- Tom Curran4-0-40-0
11.48pm So, that's your lot from England's white-ball cricket in 2018. A fine win to finish a damp tour. See you back here next month for the first Test at Galle. Who knows, maybe Joe Denly will be pushing his case in that format as well... from Alan and myself, good night.
Eoin Morgan: "A considerable improvement, to start with our intensity with the bat. Our white-ball guys will go home happy. An outstanding comeback by Joe Denly. was an opening bat, come back as a very good allrounder. This year at Kent he's had a bit of a Garry Sobers year."
"The fact that we've got results in our games, it's nice to tick that box. We've played against some mystery spinners, which has allowed us to hone some areas we need to improve on."
Thisara Perera: "If we hadn't lost wickets it could have been a different story. Last match we had good fielding, but we can't give excuses. Normally Sri Lankan players play spin well, but this series isn't working. Normally I bat No. 7, today No. 5, it's another batting order mistake, we need to get our plans better. But we are going in the right direction."
11.40pm Joe Denly is Man of the Match on his return to England colours! "It certainly is [worth the wait]. Delighted to be back. There were a few nerves, but more excitement. I was looking forward to it. A new experience to face one of the best bowlers at the death. With new ball, I land my legspinner pretty well, and being predominantly a batter I get a good sense of what they are trying to do. With a Test series coming up, hopefully I can put my name in the hat."
11.30pm That's the end of England's one-day cricket for 2018, and they've made fine amends for their drubbing last week. A remarkable comeback for Joe Denly with the ball, 4 for 19 including two wickets at the top and tail of the innings, and 3 for 11 for the other leggie in the line-up, Adil Rashid - 7 for 30 in eight overs all told. Stunning
Sauharda: "The last over of the game might have alter the Man of the Match award. Any thoughts?" Indeed. Be harsh to overlook Denly, though Rashid's spell was arguably the true innings-killer. And Roy's batting was the point of difference in England's innings. We shall see
Ritesh : "This day will be equivalent to patience of 3172 days for denly, remarkable comeback. " Quite so. What a remarkable day for England's forgotten man
SL Malinga b Denly 5 (7b 0x4 0x6) SR: 71.42
Mudasir: "Ironically even a six each ball increases the required run rate"
NLTC Perera c Roy b Denly 57 (31b 1x4 6x6) SR: 183.87
Last over. No no-balls, and England are home. Denly, fittingly, to wrap up the day
END OF OVER:19 | 15 Runs | SL: 149/8 (39 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.84, RRR: 39.00)
- Thisara Perera51 (28b)
- Lasith Malinga5 (5b)
- Tom Curran4-0-40-0
- Chris Jordan4-0-29-2
Proudfoot: "Seeing how much this English side is dependent on Morgs, it's depressing to think who'd take over the captaincy after his reign. " He's got a way to go yet, he's only, I think, 32.
Matt: "Irony with Dernbach is that he would have been a pretty good option for Eng in IT20 from 2015-present...v good death bowler these days but his reputation haunts him" Exactly
Issues with the ball, it'll be getting slippery in the dew... England are well in command but Morgan is taking no chances
James : ""Ahead of his time" is one way to describe Jade Dernbach. It wouldn't be mine!" Look at Tom Curran's box of tricks. He's Dernbach Mk 2
END OF OVER:18 | 9 Runs | SL: 134/8 (54 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.44, RRR: 27.00)
- Thisara Perera37 (23b)
- Lasith Malinga4 (4b)
- Chris Jordan4-0-29-2
- Tom Curran3-0-25-0
.
Hypocaust: "Chris Jordan (with 40) is now England men's 3rd highest T20I wicket taker, overtaking Jade Dernbach" Gosh. Dernbach was ahead of his time ... truly
END OF OVER:17 | 6 Runs | SL: 125/8 (63 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.35, RRR: 21.00)
- Lasith Malinga3 (3b)
- Thisara Perera29 (18b)
- Tom Curran3-0-25-0
- Chris Jordan3-0-20-2
Hashir : "It only takes 11 sixes off Thisera's bat to win this one !" He needs to get on strike first...