Sangakkara: A special show by Dilshan

We didn’t have the quality in our side. We were thoroughly outplayed by Sri Lanka, admits StraussBy Soumitra Bose in Colombo

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara profusely praised Tillekeratne Dilshan’s all-round performance that enabled the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 co-hosts whitewash England by 10 wickets in a quarterfinal match on Saturday night.

Man of the Match Dilshan slammed his 10th ODI century and his second in this ICC CWC as England lacked the belief and character to push the Sri Lankans. Dilshan battled cramps and remained undefeated on a stroke-filled 108 as his record 231-run partnership with Upul Tharanga (102 not out) made England look like a team of amateurs.

“Whenever Dilshan goes out there, he tries to do something special. Today, he was outstanding with the bat and ball and the way he batted at the end, it was indeed an inspiration to all of us,” Sangakkara said in a post-match chat with reporters. For the first time in the tournament, when Lanka used spin with the new ball, it was offie Dilshan who was called to deliver.

The Sri Lankan captain said losing the toss made the team more determined as history indicated teams batting second almost always ended on the losing side. “Our first job was to restrict England to inside 250. If we had held our catches, we would have got them out for 220,” said Sangakkara.

England captain Andrew Strauss was brutally honest when he admitted his team “did not have the quality to win the World Cup.” “We were thoroughly outplayed. We should have scored at least 260-270, but our batting was below par,” said Strauss. 

“We have to learn to play in these conditions. On flat wickets, we must be able to bowl well and on spinning tracks, we must know how to bat well,” said Strauss, adding England didn’t have the variety in bowling attack to trouble the Sri Lankans.

Finally, Strauss admitted the much-talked about “fatigue” factor did take its toll. “It was a huge ask on us after the three months in Australia. The World Cup scheduling did not help us at all,” the England captain said.