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England vs Sri Lanka LIVE: Cricket World Cup result and reaction as Buttler’s men suffer another heavy defeat

Follow all the action from Bengaluru as England seek to keep their slim World Cup hopes alive

Sonia Twigg
Thursday 26 October 2023 16:24 BST
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England suffered another embarrassing defeat in the Cricket World Cup to leave them on the brink of an early elimination. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Jos Buttler’s men failed to get any rhythm going. Wickets fell consistently and not even a rearguard defence from Ben Stokes (43) could help England set a decent total as they were skittled for 156.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets as David Willey gave England a glimmer of hope to reduce their opponents 23-2. That was the last moment of joy though as Pathum Nissanka (77*) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65*) both passed fifty in a partnership worth 137 to earn victory in Bengaluru.

England have now lost four of their five matches in the World Cup and face an early exit with difficult tests against Australia, Pakistan and India still to come.

Relive all the action below:

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Nissanka 50! Sri Lanka 110-2 Nissanka 51, Samarawickrama 42, Wood 0-23 (4) - need 47 runs to win

Wood will continue at the other end, the first ball of the over goes for two.

Both batters are closing in on half centuries here, a feat England could only have dreamed of in their innings - Stokes got closest with 43.

Nissanka brings up the milestone with a lovely four. The first 50 of the game and it just moves Sri Lanka closer to victory.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 14:20
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Sri Lanka 103-2 (17) Nissanka 44, Samarawickrama 42, Livingstone 0-8 (1) - need 54 runs to win

This feels like it’s starting to get a bit desperate for England, but Livingstone can make things happen and he is brought on to bowl.

And he goes for a boundary first ball as the runs continue to flow. The 100 is up after 16 overs and two deliveries, just 54 more runs required for Sri Lanka.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 14:15
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Sri Lanka 95-2 (16) Nissanka 43, Samarawickrama 35, Wood 0-16 (3) need 62 runs to win

Nissanka fires one into the leg side and has another four. It was short and the batter has not hit that out of the middle, but there is no fielder there and they creep towards the total.

England are just fading away here after the two early wickets, which are starting to feel a long time ago...

Eight runs from the over.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 14:08
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Sri Lanka 87-2 (15) Nissanka 36, Samarawickrama 34, Rashid 0-31 (4) - need 70 runs to win

After the pace of wood, the batting pair have just knocked Rashid around for singles, forcing them to change tack, but it does not affect the pace of runs, they just drive down the ground for one.

Samarawickrama goes big and has a six! That came straight out of the middle fo the bat and into the stands.

An expensive over 12 runs from it.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 14:03
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Sri lanka 75-2 (14) Nissanka 34, Samarawickrama 24, Wood 0-8 (2) - need 82 runs to win

Samarawickrama goes for a big shot and doesn’t get hold of it but it falls short of the man on the boundary.

Sri Lanka have their 50 partnership and are already on course for victory here. Wood bowls one short that jumps up at Nissanka and he is receiving some treatment for what looks like a finger cut.

Three runs from that over from Wood.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 13:59
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Sri Lanka 72-2 (13) Nissanka 33, Samarawickrama 22, Rashid 0-19 (3) - need 85 runs to win

Samarawickrama goes for a scoop and ends up being struck in the throat - it’s off Rashid so he is okay but taken by surprise.

The rest of the over goes for just three.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 13:52
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Sri Lanka 69-2 (12) Nissanka 32, Samarawickrama 20, Wood 0-5 (1) - need 88 runs to win

Samarawickrama has his first boundary, Wood is wayward with his first ball of the match and Sri Lanka pounce and throw their hands at it and are rewarded with four runs.

The next ball is a beauty that zips through and is too quick for the batter.

This partnership is almost at 50, and England have to break it to have any chance of staying in this match - and the World Cup.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 13:48
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Sri Lanka 64-2 (11) Nissanka 32, Samarawickrama 15, Rashid 0-16 (2) - need 93 runs to win

Rashid will continue here, but Sri Lanka have found another gap in the field, this outfield is rapid, and the batters are making use of it in a way England could not in the first innings.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 13:44
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Sri Lanka 52-2 (10) Nissanka 26, Samarawickrama 9, Willey 2-26 (5) - need 101 runs to win

England would like a wicket, and they would like it to be Nissanka. The runs required have almost just dipped below 100 now and there are still 40 overs to go.

One boundary from the over and 5 runs from it.

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 13:40
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Sri Lanka 50-2 (9) Nissanka 25, Samarawickrama 9, Rashid 0-8 (1) need 106 runs to win

England hand the ball to Adil Rashid. It’s not the typical move in the powerplay to bowl a spinner, but he bowled well against South Africa when few else did and is a wicket-taker.

The first four balls of the over were done well, but Nissanka has smashed a huge six! The first of the innings, he charges down the wicket and hits far into the stands.

Eight off the over

Sonia Twigg26 October 2023 13:35

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