Powered by Joe Root’s 121 off 108 balls, England posted a formidable total of 6-309 as they looked to exorcise the ghosts of their last appearance in the NZ capital, when they were put to the sword by the Black Caps.
But the big total hardly fazed the Sri Lankans as centuries from Lahiru Thirimanne (139 off 143 balls) and Kumar Sangakkara (117 off 86) propelled them to a massive victory that gives Enland plenty of work to do to make the next stage of the tournament.
Despite England's poor bowling display, the day’s key talking point looks like being a review called by Sri Lanka in the 39th over after a Suranga Lakmal full toss hit Root’s pads.
The pictures below show just how far off the mark the review was as even the ICC got in on the act of slagging off the decision.
WATCH: Is the worst decision review of #cwc15!!?? #ENGvSL http://t.co/9y00OX80MM pic.twitter.com/jIDIglDnXH
— ICC (@ICC) March 1, 2015
"That is the worst (review) I've seen," declared commentator David Lloyd on Fox Sports.
And, he wasn’t alone with the comment.
Video: Sri Lanka’s ridiculous review: PEOPLE poke fun at Shane Watson for his poor history of lbw reviews but even…
— boomboomxxxbm (@boomboomxxxbm) March 1, 2015How good was that review from Sri Lanka. Not even sure Haddin would’ve gone up for that one.
— Nick (@Mammes) March 1, 2015Seriously, Sri Lanka with the worst review of all time. No more reviews all tournament I say. #ENGvSL #CWC15
— Chris Hockman (@ChrisHSport) March 1, 2015And ... We have a winner of the "worst umpire review in the history of cricket". Well played Sri Lanka #cwc15 #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/cU67LphZtg
— Paul Cochrane (@paulcochrane) March 1, 2015Absolutely beautiful review by Sri Lanka Watson-esque in its audacity and casual attitude to the actuality of the rules #ENGvSL
— Michael Brader (@mike_brader) March 1, 2015