World Cup 2023: England 'underestimated us', says Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana said defending champions England “underestimated” his team in their key Cricket World Cup clash on Thursday. England were bundled out for 156 runs in 34 overs after deciding to bat. In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the target with a massive 146 balls to spare.

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Jos Buttler’s England suffered their fourth defeat in five matches in the process and have very slim chances of making it through to the semi-finals. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, with their second win kept themselves in contention for the next stage of the competition.

“I think they underestimated our team because we also lost three games and we only won against Netherlands. I think they underestimated us,” Theekshana said.

“That’s why the result went our way because we backed our strength, we went with a simple plan, so that’s why we won the game today.”

Theekshana, who posted miserly figures of 1/21, added: “Our confidence as a team has increased a lot because we have won two matches so far. And this match is a match in which we got a very happy victory.

“As a team, we are looking to play well in the upcoming four matches and reach the semifinals.”

Sri Lanka leaked runs in their first four matches and were walloped for 428 runs by South Africa. Theekshana said the Lankans executed their plans much better in this match.

“In the first four games, we didn’t bowl well in the middle overs. I think we lost three games because of our bowling. So, we did some practice sessions to get more discipline, all the fast bowlers did their hard work before the game so they know what they have to do in the game (today),” he said.

Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara stood out for Sri Lanka with 3/35 before Pathum Nissanka (77) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65) steered the team to victory in an unbeaten stand of 137.

But it was the return of former skipper Angelo Mathews that spurred the team on. Mathews had come in as a replacement for injured Matheesha Pathirana and made an instant impact with wickets of Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali.

Veteran Mathews gave away just 14 runs in his five overs, which included a maiden as well, of medium-pace bowling.

“As a team, we are very happy that a very experienced player has joined our team. He has played in India. We have a lot to learn from him,” Theekshana said of the veteran all-rounder.

“Even when we bowled, we used his experience in the match. The whole team is very happy to have such an experienced player on the team.”

‘We have a chance of making the semi-finals’: Mendis

Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis hoped his team would do well in the remainder of the league stage and sneak into the semifinals.

Sri Lanka, who won the World Cup in 1996, jumped to fifth in the 10-team table after their second win in five matches.

“The net run rate going up is great for us. We did really well in the first few overs and then just continued. Everyone did really well today. We have another four games left, I think if we can string more performances together we have a chance of making the semifinals,” Mendis said at the presentation ceremony.

Mendis praised the bowling cominbation of Kumara and Mathews for dismissing England cheaply.

“He (Lahiru Kumara) knows his role, he’s our main fast bowling weapon and he bowled really well to control the game today,” Mendis said.

“He (Angelo Mathews) has so much experience, he helps so much in the middle overs. He can bat and bowl, and he also enjoys the game. He also knows how to handle pressure situations, so it’s good having him around. The fielding was also excellent today, we need to do the same thing over the next couple of matches.”

Jos Buttler, the England captain, admitted it has been an “incredibly disappointing” tournament for them.

“It’s been an incredibly tough and incredibly disappointing tournament. Disappointed in myself and all the boys that we haven’t shown a good account of ourselves. There’s no clear answer at the moment,” the English skipper said.

“Can’t really fault the boys’ efforts but we’re playing a long way short of our best. It starts from the front, as captain you want to lead from the front and play well and I’ve been a long way short of my best,” Buttler said.

uttler had no qualms in admitting that he has failed to lead from the front, but the others around him also flopped in the showpiece.

“There are a lot of experienced cricketers in the room, who’ve been through a lot – confident people. You don’t become a bad player overnight, you don’t become a bad team over night,” he said.

“I think that’s probably the biggest frustration, that we’ve been so far short of our best, and for no obvious reason. Just can’t put my finger on it at the moment.”