PALLEKELE – In a performance that bordered on the sadistic, England’s “spin-experiment” turned the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium into a graveyard for Sri Lankan ambitions. Despite a middling batting display, Harry Brook’s men dismantled the co-hosts by defending a meager 146, leaving the local crowd in a stunned, funereal silence.
The Great Pallekele Heist
England’s innings was, for the most part, a stuttering affair. Save for a defiant 62 from Phil Salt, the visitors looked “all at sea” against the local spin duo of Dunith Wellalage (3/26) and Maheesh Theekshana. When England crawled to 146/9, the Sri Lankan faithful were already celebrating what looked like a routine chase.
Then came the “Controversial Call.” In a move that looked like a desperate gamble, Brook handed the ball to Will Jacks in the powerplay. It wasn’t a gamble—it was an ambush.
The Collapse
Sri Lanka’s chase didn’t just fail; it evaporated. Jacks, primarily known for his explosive batting, turned into a spin-wizard, bagging 3/22 and ripping the heart out of the Lankan top order.
- Powerplay Panic: Sri Lanka slumped to a humiliating 34/5 within the first six overs.
- The Hope and the Hammer: Captain Dasun Shanaka (30) provided the only spark of resistance before a spectacular “tag-team” catch by Jacks and Banton on the boundary snuffed out the final flame of hope.
- Hit Wicket Horror: The evening was summed up when Dushan Hemantha managed to dismiss himself by hitting his own stumps while facing Jamie Overton.
England effectively secured the win as Sri Lanka’s tail failed to find the 61 runs needed from the final 30 balls.
“What a truly strange game. England all at sea against spin, a total 25 short, and yet here we are. Jacks has saved us with the bat this tournament, and now he’s done it with the ball.” — Guy Hornsby, Cricket Analyst.
What’s Next?
England now heads into their clash against Pakistan on Tuesday with massive momentum, while Sri Lanka must perform a post-mortem on a batting lineup that looked utterly paralyzed under the Kandy lights.