Match Center

That is it then from this game. Action in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup continues on Sunday, the 6th of November with three crucial matches lined up. First up, South Africa will take on Netherlands in Adelaide and that game will begin at 5.30 am IST (12 am GMT). This will be followed by a clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the same ground, starting at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). The final game of the day, also the final one of the Super 12 stage will be played between India and Zimbabwe at the MCG and will begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). You can join us for the early build-up for all three games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Jos Buttler, the captain of England, says that it was not a great watch but he knew they have to find a way and he is glad that they did it in the end. He is delighted with the batting of Ben Stokes who according to him can fulfil all the roles and is a proper competitor. Adds that Sri Lanka got off to a great start but it was a good over from Adil Rashid in the Powerplay that pulled things back for them. Regarding Sam Curran, Jos replies that he keeps on growing and is becoming a fierce competitor. Praises Alex Hales for his knock and adds that one of them would have loved to stay till the end. He is excited to find a way to win this game and is looking forward to the semi-final at one of the best stadiums in the world.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that it was an amazing fight but feels that they could have done better with the bat. Adds that the pitch played a part in this game and even the English batters struggled in the latter part. Tells that they gave a good fight in the last 10 overs and it was in the Powerplay where they didn't bowl well. States that they played good cricket in patches and a few injuries didn't help their cause. Wants his team to polish the areas where they didn't do well. Praises the spinners for their good effort and also lauds the efforts of the pacers in this game. Further says that power-hitting is one area they need to get better and he is pleased with the way they have been fielding of late. Shanka thanks the colourful and wonderful spectators for supporting Sri Lanka.

Player of the Match is Adil Rashid for his economical bowling. The leggie says that it was a tight game after they bowled exceptionally well. Praises Ben Stokes for his knock and is relieved that they crossed the line. Tells that the Sri Lankan bowlers created pressure by bowling dot balls and thankfully England crossed the line. Calls it a great team effort and feels that England bowled superbly. Mentions that it's always good for the bowlers to get some assistance. States that he has felt good about his form throughout and his job is to do good for the team and as long as they are winning, it's fine even if he is not picking wickets. Thinks that they will get a fresh pitch for the semi-final and they will have to assess the conditions. Hopes to get good support in Adelaide.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and like every other captain before him, decided to bat first at the SCG. Sri Lanka were cruising through at the halfway mark but the English bowlers made a resounding comeback in the second half of the Lankan innings. Pathum Nissanka picked up his second half-century of the tournament while Adil Rashid proved to be influential for England with the ball. Mark Wood also picked up 3 wickets after being taken to the cleaners in his first over and those wickets at the death gave England all the momentum heading into the break. In reply, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales added 75 runs for the opening wicket and put England on top before the Sri Lankan spinners made a fabulous comeback by picking up regular wickets. It was Ben Stokes though who was able to stay on till the end and see his team through.

Sri Lanka have time and again proved that they can beat any side in the world and no one would have thought after the start they had with the ball that the Lankans will drag this game deep into the final over. All three of their spinners bowled well with Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picking up a couple of crucial wickets each. Lahiru Kumara also used his pace well and bagged two wickets but Sri Lanka just didn't have enough runs to play with. In the end, the batters cost them the game as 10-15 runs more could have seen them grab a win.

With just 142 runs to get, England started off firing on all cylinders as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales made their mark inside the Powerplay. Buttler fell and then once Hales got out, the English innings all of a sudden got derailed. Ben Stokes held up one end well but the likes of Brook, Livingstone and Ali couldn't add much to the total. In the end, Stokes had to use all of his experience and milk the ones and twos to get his side over the line. It was a brilliant inning under pressure from the star man but England will be mightily relieved to have got the job done, especially with injured Dawid Malan unable to bat.

A hard-fought win in the end then for England but they have made it through to the semi-finals, knocking the host nation Australia out of the tournament in the process. England won't get the top spot though as New Zealand have a better net run rate. As for Sri Lanka, they gave it their all but ended up second-best.

FOUR! ENGLAND WIN! AUSTRALIA ARE KNOCKED OUT! Woakes finishes it off and releases all the pressure in the English camp. Short in length and wide outside off, Chris Woakes stays on the back foot and whacks it through backward point. The ball races away and finds the fence to hand the ticket to the semis to England. They win by 4 wickets.

DOT BALL! Lahiru delivers a slower one, short and outside off, Woakes tries to pull but gets an under edge. It rolls behind to the keeper.

Digs it in short, around off, Stokes guides it down to third man for a single. 2 needed off 4 balls.

Kumara takes the pace off the delivery, bowls it shot and wide outside off, Stokes reaches out and slaps it to deep cover. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters complete the second run. 3 needed off 5 balls.

Very full and on off, Stokes shuffles across and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Ben retains strike, perfect for England. 5 needed off 6 balls.

Dot ball is met with a huge roar from the crowd. A low full toss outside off, Stokes pushes it to short cover.

Fuller and on off, Stokes drives it with soft hands to the left of long off and collects another couple. 6 needed off 8 balls.

Wide! Smart from Stokes. Kasun Rajitha tries the wide yorker but sprays it outside the tram line. Ben leaves.