体坛英语资讯：England reaches less than competitive 229 in cricket World Cup

COLOMBO, March 26 -- Aided by sloppy Sri Lankan fielding and some resolute batting by Jonathan Trott, England finished 229 for 6, a few short of posting a competitive total in the quarterfinal of the cricket World Cup in Colombo Saturday.

Sri Lanka missed as many as three catches, some of them easy to undone good work of their bowlers.

England's captain Andrew Strauss who won the toss and decided to bat found himself in disarray against his counterpart Kumar Sangakkara's decision to bring Tilakeratna Dilshan to open bowling with Lasith Malinga.

Strauss's partner Ian Bell looked to be in excellent touch hitting two fluent boundaries off Malinga and Mathews.

Strauss struggled trying to hit his way out of trouble and was bowled by Dilshan playing over a ball which kept low.

Rangana Herath became the first of the three spinners to be introduced by Sangakkara. He had Ravi Bopara in trouble including an appeal turned down and not reviewed. Ajantha Mendis came onto bowl in the 15th over and his first over was full of drama. Bopara survived two appeals for stumping by Sangakkara..

Three for 95 in the 27th over when Muttiah Muralitharan whom the England batsmen had faced with ease bowled a full toss round the wicket to Bopara. He missed and called for the review when Simon Taufel ruled him out.

England's 50 came in the 15th and 100 in the 28th over when Trott reversed swept Dilshan for 3 to reach his 5th 50 in the tournament.

Eoin Morgan missed twice added 95 for the fourth wicket before being caught by Mathews off Malinga for a 50 made in 55 balls.

Graeme Swann was trapped leg before by Mendis and Trott's 115 ball vigil with just two fours ended when Jayawardene caught him off Muralitharan for 86. Mendis was the pick of the bowlers with just 34 coming off his ten for one wicket.

England needs 230 to win and meet New Zealand in the second quarter final to be played in Colombo next week.