Cricket

England holds Sri Lanka to 254-7 on good pitch in second ODI at Birmingham

AP

BIRMINGHAM: England bowled well and was slick in the field to restrict Sri Lanka to 254-7 on what appeared to be a good batting pitch in the second one-day international on Friday.

Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid took two wickets each in a good allround performance from England's bowlers at Edgbaston after Sri Lanka chose to bat first.

Dinesh Chandimal made 52 and captain Angelo Mathews 44. Their 82-run stand was the best for Sri Lanka. Upul Tharanga added late runs with 53 from 49 balls, with five fours and a six.

Legspinner Rashid finished with 2-34, including the important wicket of Mathews to break his partnership with Chandimal.

The five-match series is level at 0-0 after England's late fightback in the first game culminated in a last-ball tie.

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