'We Brought Our A-Game': Angelo Mathews After SL Skittled ENG For 156

Angelo Mathews celebrates an English wicket at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

England have been dusted out for a paltry 156 against an insurgent Sri Lankan unit in their World Cup 2023 stalemate in Bengaluru. Ben Stokes' mere 43 turned out to be the biggest benefactor of the English innings as their famed batting line-up crumbled inside just 34 overs.

Sri Lanka's comeback man, Angelo Mathews, set the tone of his country's uprising against the defending champions by dismissing well-set opener Dawid Malan within the powerplay. The all-round veteran also packed his English counterpart Moeen Ali against the run-of-play upon his return spell.

During the mid-innings break, Mathews praised his bowling teammates for restricting England to a modest total and also described his team's mindset for the run-chase.

'Game is not over'- Angelo Mathews ahead of run-chase

Angelo Mathews, who had prophesied Sri Lanka's comeback with a bold "fighting fire with fire" statement, set the tone for his country in their must-win World Cup 2023 match against defending champions England.

The legendary all-rounder dismissed Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali to finish his five-over spell with 2-14. Thereafter, his teammates Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara and Maheesh Theekshana maintained the pressure as the trio shared six wickets between them to floor the Englishmen at 156.

During the mid-innings break, Mathews praised Sri Lanka's bowling unit and commended fielders for backing up the bowlers. He said:

“The boys set the tone. All the bowlers were absolutely brilliant today. The wicket was on the slower side but we hit the right areas. We had to back the bowlers. The bowlers bowled well but the fielders had to back them to pick up wickets.”

Angelo Mathews, fully aware of England's reputation, also added that the match is not over, and the Sri Lankans still have to bat well to chase down the total. Revealing their run-chase mindset, the 36-year-old stated:

“England is a very strong team. We have brought our A-game to push them back but still, the game is not over. We have to bat well to chase down this total. Just play according to the merit of the ball. Bat deep and dig it out.”

Having lost three successive World Cup 2023 matches upfront, Sri Lanka launched a reboot to their campaign earlier this week by upstaging the Netherlands in Lucknow. A win over England at this stage of the tournament will shoot them back into the top-four reckoning.

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