Sri Lanka won thrilling match

05/04/2007

In the first truly classic contest at this World Cup, Sri Lanka held their nerves to defeat England by two runs in their Super Eight match at Antigua on Wednesday.

Chasing 236 to win, England made 233 for eight with Ravi Bopara and Paul Nixon putting up a fantastic rearguard action to take the match down to the wire after England had been reduced to 134 for six after 34 overs.

With three needed off the last ball, Dilhara Fernando bowled the perfect delivery to dismiss Bopara and sink England. He finished with figures of three for 41 from his nine overs.

Bopara, who struck his maiden ODI fifty, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Earlier in the day, Sajid Mahmood picked up a career best four for 43 and Andrew Flintoff took three wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 235.

Score : Sri Lanka 235/10 in 50 overs (Tharanga 62, Jayawardene 56, Mahmood 4/50, Flintoff 3/35) England 233/8 in 50 overs (Pietersen 58, Bopara 52, Nixon 42, Bell 47, Fernando 3/41, Mallinga 2/50)