Mathews hits 113, allows Sri Lanka to set India 265 to win

LEEDS, England (AP) — Angelo Mathews’ third career ODI century led a comeback by Sri Lanka to give them a fighting chance against India in their Cricket World Cup group match on Saturday at Headingley.

Sri Lanka was in deep trouble at 55-4 in the 12th over but Mathews fashioned a rescue in a stand of 124 with Lahiru Thirimanne (53) and 74 with Dhanajaya de Silva (29) to see them post 264-7.

Mathews was out for 113 in the 49th over.

Sri Lanka is locked out of the semifinals, but would enjoy spoiling India hopes of topping the group.

Sri Lanka successfully defended 232 at Headingley two weeks ago, beating England by 20 runs. And this latest total will challenge India on a dry, used, cracking pitch. Captain Virat Kohli wanted to bat first, but lost the toss.

His bowlers made inroads early, however, especially Jasprit Bumrah. The Sri Lanka openers gave him his 100th and 101st one-day international wickets. He’s the second fastest India bowler to 100, in 57 innings, one more than the rested Mohammed Shami. Bumrah finished with a priceless 3-37.

Wicketkeeper MS Dhoni caught both openers, stumped Kusal Mendis, and caught Avishka Fernando in the first 12 overs. But India went another 26.1 overs without another wicket.

Mathews and Thirimanne were slow but steadfast as they pulled Sri Lanka out of the mire.

They hit only one boundary in 14 overs. They were just starting to push the run rate when Thirimanne was dismissed.

Mathews was defiant. He was dropped on 61 then hit the sightscreen with his first six of the match, and when he survived a stumping chance he hit his second six in the same over.

Possibly his last World Cup bat ended in the 49th over, and all three of his ODI centuries have come against India. De Silva got Sri Lanka home.