Ahead of England’s seven-match one-day international series in Sri Lanka, ecb.co.uk's Callum Dent looks back at five of the best matches between the two teams over the years.
1. January 23, 1999 - Adelaide Oval - Sri Lanka won by one wicket.
In a tri-series game where Muttiah Muralitharan was reported for throwing, Graeme Hick helped England rack up 302 for three with a stunning unbeaten 126 off 118 balls, adding 154 with Neil Fairbrother.
Mahela Jayawardene laid the platform for Sri Lanka with 120 but his departure came with 34 required from just 28 balls. However, the lower order rallied and saw their side home with two deliveries remaining.
2. July 2, 2002 - Headingley - England won by three wickets.
After Sri Lanka skipper Sanith Jayasuriya struck 112 from the top of the order, England looked to be struggling in pursuit of 241 when they slipped to 171 for six following Marcus Trescothick’s exit for 82.
But a brilliant 66-run stand between Paul Collingwood and Alec Stewart, who both compiled 38, the latter’s unbeaten, led England to victory with just four balls left in the rain-reduced 32-overs-a-side match.
3. April 4, 2007 - Sir Vivian Richards Stadium - Sri Lanka won by two runs.
In the World Cup super-eight clash, England dismissed Sri Lanka for 235 courtesy of four wickets from paceman Sajid Mahmood.
They were always up against it in their run-chase, though, languishing on 133 for six in the 34th over, but Ravi Bopara and Paul Nixon came to the rescue with an 87-run alliance.
However, with 19 needed from two overs, Nixon departed for 42 and Bopara - who made 52 - then became Dilhara Fernando’s third victim from the final ball of the innings as Sri Lanka edged to a nail-biting victory.
4. October 7, 2007 - Dambulla - England won by two wickets on Duckworth/Lewis.
England, chasing 164, required some vital lower-order resistance to pull off victory and send them on the way to a series win.
Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad came to the rescue with the score at 107 for seven, hitting 25 and 20 not out respectively.
The pair shared 40 in 10 overs and, despite Swann departing with 17 runs required, Ryan Sidebottom joined Broad to get them over the line.
5. May 31, 2014 - Lord’s - Sri Lanka won by seven runs.
It’s not often a Kumar Sangakkara century is overshadowed, but Jos Buttler did just that at the home of cricket.
England were teetering on 111 for five in pursuit of 301 and in need of a spark.
Buttler provided that by smashing a ton from just 61 balls, the fastest international hundred at Lord’s.
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who hit 11 fours and a quartet of maximums, shared a stunning stand of 133 with half-centurion Ravi Bopara to take England close to a sensational triumph.
But his departure in the final over signalled the end of England’s challenge.
