Shanaka, Perera push Sri Lanka to competitive total

England have been set a challenging target of 274 runs to win their series in Sri Lanka after bowling first in the fourth one-day international in Kandy.

Leading 2-0 in the five-match series, victory at Pallekele will wrap it up with a game to spare, while the hosts are hoping their score of 7-273 will be enough to keep the contest alive heading to Colombo.

Dasun Shanaka’s career-best 66 - including five sixes - and important knocks from Niroshan Dickwella (52) and Thisara Perera (44) helped Sri Lanka to post a competitive total on a sluggish pitch.

Legspinner Adil Rashid was England’s most-economical bowler with 1-36 from his 10 overs, while Moeen Ali took out two of the top three.

Olly Stone, after a bright start to his career in his maiden series, struggled to make an impact this time and was taken for 50 from seven wicketless overs.

The tourists were without opener Jonny Bairstow, their top-scoring batsman in 2018, due to an ankle injury suffered during a game of football. Alex Hales took his place at the top of the order.

Source: AAP