BENGALURU: Reigning cricket World Cup champions England were battered yet again in the World Cup on Thursday. Sri Lanka defeated the incumbent champions by eight wickets thereby gifting England's fourth defeat in this year’s World Cup tournament. Reeling from consecutive defeats, England is currently ninth in the point table. Their hope for getting into the semis is also in the balance. With the second win in five games, Lanka moved up to the fifth position with four points.

England won the toss and decided to bat first. Later, Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a debacle as England's batting lineup stumbled and got all out for just 156 runs in 33.2 overs. Sri Lanka reached the target by losing only two wickets in 25.4 overs.

England openers Jonny Bairstow (30) and David Malan (28) put on 45 runs in 6.3 overs, giving signs of a run riot in the cards. Alas, all predictions went down the drain as England stumbled in amazing fashion to get all out for just 156 runs. Lahiru Kumara took three wickets, Angelo Mathews and Kasun Rajitha took two wickets each while Mahish Thikshna took one wicket to ensure England’s fall. Ben Stokes scored 43 runs, the highest score from the English side.

Pathum Nisanga (77 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65 not out) scored half-centuries for Lanka. Lahiru Kumara was selected as the Man of the Match.