Summary

  • Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary

  • Defending champions England on verge of early exit after fourth defeat in five games

  • Sri Lanka win second game to stay in play-off contention

  • They chase 157 target in 25.4 overs and win by eight wickets in Bengaluru

  • England all out for 156 in 33.2 overs

  • Stokes top scores with 43 - only five batters make double figures

  • Kumara 3-35, Mathews 2-14 & Rajitha 2-36

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Turned off when Livingstone got out. Just turned back on to watch the rebuild and Moeen gets out first ball I watch... Sorry all!

    Fred, London

  2. Postpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport in Bengaluru

    The England players' families are sat just to the side of the press box. It's a tough watch and there are not many smiles among them.

  3. Eng 122-6published at 25 overs

    Halfway through the innings and Chris Woakes, England's number eight, is at the crease with his side at 122-6.

    Probably wasn't the plan at the start of the innings, or when they were 44-0 at the end of the sixth over.

    Woakes fends off the final two balls of the Matthews over.

  4. Postpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    That was a dismissal that epitomises the way England have batted so far in this World Cup.

    Sri Lanka have plugged away and you have to give them credit but that really was a gift from Moeen Ali.

  5. Postpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Oh dear.

    Just looking to guide that for a single and Moeen Ali has given catching practice to a fielder at backward point.

    That is the gentlest catch just as England were looking to put something together.

  6. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 24.3 overs

    Moeen c Perera b Matthews 15 (Eng 122-6)

    Not great.

    With the partnership approaching the 50 mark and tentative signs of a rebuild, Moeen Ali bursts the bubble. He offers some catching practice to Kusal Perera at backward point, cutting the ball gently into his hands.

    He departs for a run-a-ball 15, and Angelo Mathews has figures of 2-14.

  7. Postpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Ben StokesImage source, Getty Images

    The man who could make something extraordinary happen is still at the crease.

    But at the moment, he doesn't look happy at all. One of two things is going to happen here: he's going to play a shot that makes everything click or he's going to get out horribly.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    England are simply setting this up for a Stokes-led resurrection. 150 from him today, get some crazy momentum and win all remaining games. This is all part of the cunning plan!

    Paul, Leeds

  9. Postpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport in Bengaluru

    Ben Stokes is certainly popular with the locals here. They're all chanting his name as Rajitha runs in to bowl.

  10. Eng 119-5published at 24 overs

    A quieter over as Kasun Rajitha returns to the attack. Stokes eases his final ball to the third boundary to retain the strike.

  11. Postpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Ben Stokes is living a charmed life.

  12. Postpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    I'll have some of what you're having, Ru.

    As it stands all I've had is porridge, and I managed to cover the desk with honey.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:26 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Don't panic everyone, here's what's going to happen. Stokes and Ali heroically get a partnership of 132 before Stokes is finally out, caught in the deep. From there, we go on to a score of 245 all out. We then bowl Sri Lanka out for 238 in a gripping game.

    Ru, London

  14. Eng 116-5published at 23 overs

    Ben Stokes has looked scratchy in this innings - and indeed in his previous innings in the tournament. But while he might not be hitting it cleanly, he's reaching the boundaries.

    Another big swing sends Madushanka's ball to the same mid-wicket boundary, before a cleaner pull on the swivel brings another four.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:22 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I agree somewhat with the team age and cycles, but would point out that Australia are in a similar position with this being the last World Cup for several of their key players (Warner, Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins possibly) and they aren’t showing the same signs of team fatigue/lack of application.

    Pete, Shrewsbury

  16. Postpublished at 11:21 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Paul Farbrace
    Former England assistant coach on BBC Test Match Special

    Ben Stokes plays a shotImage source, Getty Images

    You saw Moeen Ali gesture to Stokes that de Silva doesn't really spin it because Stokes was playing for the spin.

    He looks desperate to get the ball out of the middle of the bat.

  17. Postpublished at 11:21 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Moeen Ali has placed that really nicely. He opens the face of the bat and, almost like a snooker player, he threads it through the gap.

  18. Eng 108-5published at 22 overs

    Russel Arnold recommended England take their time rebuilding, but do these two batters have that in their locker?

    More aggression in this Dhananjaya de Silva over, and it pays off. Moeen sends a lovely cover drive through the covers for four, before Stokes reaches the ropes with another leg side heave.

  19. Postpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 26 October 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    England could do with more of those.

  20. Eng 98-5published at 21 overs

    Sri Lanka are in the ascendancy but they won't want to let England back in through sloppiness in the field.

    Moeen take two twos off Madushanka via fielding mishaps. A shot down the ground breaks through a diving Lahiru Kumara, which leaves the fielder hobbling, before an overthrow brings a second run after the bowler does take a throw cleanly.

    Stokes then cleaves the final delivery through mid-wicket.