Jayawardene pleased as Sri Lanka down England

Tourists register 69-run win in second ODI.

LEEDS:

Mahela Jayawardene was ecstatic after his career-best 144 helped Sri Lanka register a 69-run win as they levelled the five-match One-Day International series 1-1.

Jayawardene led the way as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 310 before the bowlers restricted England to 240.

“This was a very good response from the boys,” said Jayawardene,“310 was a bonus, we thought 270 would be a good total.

“Once Kumar and I settled, we managed to up the rate. Once the ball got older we could attack certain bowlers. It was important for us to get back into the series after that first game,” he added.

England in their mounting chase struggled to maintain the run-rate and were bowled out with 25 balls to spare. Both seamer Suranga Lakmal and spinner Suraj Randiv claimed three wickets. The series continues at Lord’s today.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2011.