ODI World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka Dominates Defending Champions England by 8 Wickets

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England's difficulties worsened on Thursday when they were defeated by Sri Lanka in their sixth World Cup match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

England batted first in Bengaluru, and their top six collapsed within the first 25 overs. Jos Buttler won the toss and declared that England will bat first.

While they got off to a fantastic start, Sri Lanka fought back, with veteran Angelo Mathews grabbing his first ODI wicket in almost three years in the seventh over.

Before the 16th over, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Jos Buttler were back in the hut. Ben Stokes then appeared to be forming a solid relationship with Moeen Ali, but the latter was caught by Mathews on a run-a-ball 15.

On 37, the stand came to an end. Soon after, Chris Woakes was caught by Sadeera Samarawickrama, and England became almost entirely reliant on Stokes to get them to a competitive total.

The England Test skipper, on the other hand, was out in the 31st over for 43 from 73 balls. England were eventually dismissed for 156 in 33.2 overs.

Sri Lanka's first two wickets fell in the first six overs, but Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Nissanka have been consistent since then. Both went on to score half-centuries, thereby destroying England's chances of victory.

Nissanka hit the winning six, and Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with 146 balls to spare. He was unbroken on 77 off 83, while Samarawickrama was unbeaten on 65 off 54.