Sri Lanka too hot for England

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka:

Both of Sri Lanka's openers scored unbeaten centuries yesterday as the World Cup's co-hosts cruised effortlessly into the semi-finals with a crushing 10-wicket victory over England.

England stuttered to 229-6 on an easy, slow wicket at the Premadasa stadium, making batting look difficult. Sri Lanka replied with 231-0 in 39.3 overs, scattering fours and sixes to the delight of the home crowd.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, with 108 not out, and Upul Tharanga, with 102 not out, made striking the ball look easy for batsmen who had the confidence to use their feet.

England's start-stop World Cup campaign ended with a whimper, while 1996 champions Sri Lanka progress to a semi-final Tuesday against New Zealand.

Thoroughly beaten

England captain Andrew Strauss summed it up simply: "We've been thoroughly beaten by a better side.''

"We have to be honest, we haven't been good enough and that's why we are going home,'' he said. "We just haven't played with enough quality with the bat and the ball.''

Dilshan and Tharanga smashed 22 fours and three sixes between them and both suffered cramps and soreness from their lengthy innings played in high heat and humidity. Tharanga needed a runner toward the end of his innings and Dilshan collapsed at the end of the match and was helped from the field.

All of England's bowlers were treated harshly, with spinner Graeme Swann conceding 61 in nine overs.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team had a good chance of making the final and he paid tribute to his players.

"You need a special performance to win big games. Today, I think Dilshan and Upul Tharanga combined to give us that little spark of inspiration,'' he said. "They were absolutely magnificent and ruthless."