“I didn’t feel like I was looking at the tournament winners,” deadpan Athers. Hmmm, hard to disagree, but England do keep collecting results, despite sometimes looking like two ends of a pantomime horse. I’m not writing them off yet.
A super innings by Salt was the difference between the two sides today, and England, led by Will Jacks, bowled nicely while Sri Lanka self-destructed. England currently top Group two!
India v South Africa is just about to start in Ahmedabad, while England’s next game is against Pakistan in Kandy on Tuesday. We’ll be back for that.
Thanks for your company – bye!
Updated
Captain talk
Dasun Shanaka: “It was disappointing, though we had lots of positives with the ball. I expected our batters to bat well. I think the pitch played well, a bit slow first thing, but settled with the lights but we batted badly. We played some rash shots.”
“The discussion [at half time] was to take it deep and taking the positive and right options. One bad game is not affordable in the World Cup but we need to bounce back.”
Harry Brook: “I thought we played exceptionally there to bowl them out for less than 100. I didn’t think there were any daemons in the pitch, the spinners on both sides used the pace really well.
“It was slow, and hard to time, Salty was exceptional. I’m not concerned at all about Jos Buttler, he’s a power house of a white ball cricketer, and I’d rather he started the tournament like this and finished with a flourish.”
“Jacksy was pretty annoyed with the way he got out and he said he always bowls better when he’s angry and he did….Once we can figures the power play out we’re going to be a hard team to beat.”
