By Leonard Ratnayake, from England
Sri Lanka’s 89-run defeat to England at the Banks Homes Riverside on Tuesday was difficult to explain. They had done almost everything required to win the game. They bowled England out for 265, restricted their leading batsmen and gave international cricket an impressive debut from young leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage.
Yet, chasing 266, Sri Lanka collapsed to 176 in just 37 overs.
England’s innings had been well controlled by Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Harry Brook top-scored with 67 and Will Jacks made 46, but England were unable to build the sort of total that should have put the game beyond Sri Lanka. Colombage, only 22, took three wickets for 44, including Joe Root and Jos Buttler, while Asitha Fernando also claimed three wickets.
Sri Lanka therefore had a very manageable target. They needed around 5.3 runs an over from their 50 overs. Instead, the chase quickly unravelled. They were 101 for five by the 25th over, with Kusal Mendis fighting hard for 42 from 60 balls.
Dunith Wellalage briefly offered hope with an aggressive 45 from 36 deliveries, but the damage had already been done. Jacks then helped complete the collapse, with Sri Lanka eventually bowled out for 176.
The defeat is particularly frustrating because Sri Lanka had already shown they could compete with England. After losing all three T20 internationals last week, including defeats by 119 runs, six wickets and eight wickets, Tuesday’s ODI provided a much more encouraging performance with the ball.
That makes the batting collapse even harder to understand.
The issue is no longer simply whether Sri Lanka possess enough talent. They clearly do. Their bowlers restricted England to 265, while Colombage demonstrated that young players can step onto the international stage and make an immediate impact.
The greater concern is consistency. Sri Lanka can produce excellent periods of cricket before suddenly losing control of a match. That inconsistency is becoming a recurring problem.
No one outside the dressing room can fairly question the players’ desire to win. But international cricket demands more than wanting victory. It requires the discipline and temperament to remain committed when the game becomes difficult.
There will inevitably be debate about administration, selection, coaching and governance. Those issues have their place. But once the players cross the boundary, responsibility belongs to them. Administrators cannot bat, bowl or withstand pressure. The players have to do that.
That is why this defeat should hurt Sri Lanka more than an ordinary loss. They had England in a vulnerable position and failed to finish the job.
Sri Lanka can compete with England. They have the bowlers, the talent and emerging players capable of making an impact. What they have yet to demonstrate consistently is the ability to maintain the same intensity and discipline throughout an entire match.
The question is no longer whether Sri Lanka have enough talent to win.
It is whether they can turn that talent into sustained performances and ultimately, victories.
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