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Here”s the love affair between Sri Lanka and Headingley

Cricfit Staff

Sri Lanka decimated the hosts England in the match at Headingley yesterday by a margin of 20 runs. The Lankans thus registered their second victory of the tournament thus keeping their semis hopes alive.

© Getty Images/ICC

The experience of Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews played a vital role in scripting this victory and the fans are celebrating this in style. However, there seems to be a love affair with the Sri Lankan side and the venue where the match was played.

(Photo by Simon Cooper/PA Images via Getty Images)

Headingley has always been a happy hunting side for the Lankan side. Their records have been phenomenal in this ground and there are few examples for the same.

Back in 2006, the side registered their series whitewash against the English side thus clinching the Natwest trophy by a 5-0 margin. The series was known for consistent performances by the Sri Lankan top order with the likes of Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene.

(Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

All three of them scored 300+ in the series thus proving their class in overseas conditions. It was highly spoken during those times as many predicted that the Srilankan limited overs side would be one of the sides to beat in the 2007 edition of World Cup.

If 2006 was known for limited overs success, 2014 would simply be one of the sweetest victories for the side in tests. Srilanka clinched the test series by a 1-0 margin when they won the second test at Headingley by a margin of 100 runs.

Sri Lanka go crazy after the final wicket falls with a ball to spare © Getty Images

Then, captain, Angelo Mathews was highly applauded for his efforts to make the side win their first test series in England. He has even adjudged the Man of the Series in the two-match test series and this uplifted the spirits of the side.

Yesterday, the side was very successful against the same opposition as they defeated by a margin of 20 runs. What deserves attention here is that a target of 232 has been defended in a very smarter way. It is worth mentioning that Sri Lanka has been victorious against the English side in all the four World Cups of this century starting from 2003.

Sri Lanka will be playing their next game against the Proteas next week. Will they replicate their same style of play?

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