England Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline

England Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline

The England v Sri Lanka cricket rivalry has been good, with some great matches and moments over the years. From their first-ever encounter to the latest ones, the series between these two teams has shown how they’ve developed as cricketers.

With its rich, cricketing heritage and robust domestic set, England has faced an aggressive Sri Lankan team with its unique blend of talent and flair. This timeline looks at the key matches, notable performances, evolving dynamics between the England Cricket Team and the Sri Lanka National Team, and how their battles have shaped their cricketing journeys and international cricket.

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs England National Cricket Team Timeline

Origins of the ENG vs SL

The first ODI between England and Sri Lanka occurred during England’s tour of Sri Lanka in February 1982. Keith Fletcher led England, while Bandula Warnapura led Sri Lanka.

The first ODI was a thriller on February 13 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo. England set 212, and despite a good fight from Sri Lanka, who scored 206/8 in 45 overs, England won by five runs.

The next day, February 14, the two teams met again at the same venue for the second ODI. This time, Sri Lanka turned the tables and won by three runs after setting 216. They scored 215/7, while England could only manage 212. This series marked the start of a great rivalry between the two teams.

Both teams also played only Test matches during this tour, with England dominating Sri Lanka and winning by seven wickets.

ENG vs SL Timeline between 1980 to 1990

England and Sri Lanka have a rich history, close encounters, and memorable moments. From 1980 to 1990, the two teams played three Test series. England dominated, winning two of the matches and drawing one.

During this decade, they also faced each other 6 times in ODIs. These matches included two ODIs during England’s tour of Sri Lanka, the Prudential Cup 1983 hosted by England, the Reliance World Cup hosted by India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s tour of England and MRF World Series (Nehru Cup) 1989 hosted by India. During England’s tour of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka won only one match, while England won the other five.

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Test Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Feb 17-21, 1982 Colombo (PPS) SL vs ENG – Only Test ENG won by 7  wickets
Aug 23- 28, 1984 Lord’s ENG vs SL – Only Test Match Drawn
Aug 25-30, 1988 Lord’s ENG vs SL – Only Test ENG won by 7  wickets

ODI Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Feb 13, 1982 Colombo (PPS) England in Sri Lanka ODI Series- 1st ODI ENG won by 5 runs
Feb 14, 1982 Colombo (PPS) England in Sri Lanka ODI Series- 2nd ODI SL won by 5 runs
June 11, 1983 Taunton Prudential World Cup ENG won by 47 runs
Oct 23, 1987 Pune Reliance World Cup ENG won by 8 Wickets
Sep 4, 1988 The Oval Texaco Trophy ENG won by 5 Wickets
Oct 15, 1989 Delhi MRF World Series (Nehru Cup) ENG won by 5 Wickets

ENG vs SL Timeline between 1990 to 2000

This decade marked a turning point for Sri Lanka as they sought revenge against England. During this period, the two teams played three Test matches across three different series, each touring the other’s country. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in two games, securing two series wins, while England managed to win just one match, clinching that series.

The rivalry was intense in ODIs, with both teams playing 17 matches. Sri Lanka won 8 of these encounters, while England won 9.

Test Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Aug 22-27, 1991 Lord’s ENG vs SL – Only Test ENG won by 137  wickets
Mar 13- 18, 1993 Colombo (SSC) SL vs ENG – Only Test SL won by 5 wickets
Aug 27-31, 1998 The Oval ENG vs SL – Only Test SL won by 10 wickets

ODI Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Mar 09, 1992 Ballarat Benson & Hedges World Cup ENG won by 106 runs
Mar 10, 1993 Colombo (RPS) SL in ENG ODI Series- 1st ODI SL won by 32 runs
Mar 20, 1993 Moratuwa SL in ENG ODI Series- 2nd ODI SL won by 8 wickets
Mar 09, 1996 Faisalabad Wills World Cup SL won by 5 Wickets
Aug 16, 1998 Lord’s Emirates Triangular Tournament ENG won by 36 runs
Aug 20, 1998 Lord’s Emirates Triangular Tournament SL won by 5 Wickets
Jan 11, 1999 Brisbane Carlton & United Series ENG won by 4 Wickets
Jan 19, 1999 Melbourne Carlton & United Series ENG won by 7 Wickets
Jan 23, 1999 Adelaide Carlton & United Series SL won by 1 Wicket
Jan 29, 1999 Perth Carlton & United Series ENG won by 128 runs
Feb 03, 1999 Sydney Carlton & United Series SL won by 11 runs
May 14, 1999 Lord’s ICC World Cup ENG won by 8 Wickets

ENG vs SL Timeline between 2001 to 2010

This era was a golden period for England, not only against Sri Lanka but also against other major strong teams. England and Sri Lanka faced each other 15 times, with Sri Lanka winning four matches, England winning 5, and 6 ending in a draw. During the same period, they played a 5-match Test series, with both teams winning two matches each and one match ending in a draw.

During this decade, the two teams faced off 25 times in ODIs across bilateral, triangular, and other tournaments. Sri Lanka had the upper hand, winning 12 matches, while England won 10. Three matches were abandoned due to rain. They also played 2 T20 matches, winning each match both. They also played 2 T20 matches, with each team winning one match.

Test Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Feb 22-26, 2001 Galle SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

SL won by 28   runs
Mar 07- 11, 2001 Kandy SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 3 wickets
Mar 15-17, 2001 Colombo (SSC) SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

ENG won by 4 wickets
May 16-20, 2002 Lords ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

Match Drawn
May 30- June 02, 2002 Birmingham ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 111 runs
Jun 13-17, 2002 Manchester ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

ENG won by 10  wickets
Dec 02-06, 2003 Galle SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

Match Drawn
Dec 10-14, 2003 Kandy SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

Match Drawn
Dec 18-21, 2003 Colombo (SSC) SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

SL won by 215 runs
May 11-15, 2006 Lord’s ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

Match Drawn
May 25-28, 2006 Birmingham ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 6 wickets
May 02-05, 2006  Nottingham ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

SL won by 134 runs
Dec 01-05, 2007 Kandy SL vs ENG- 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

SL won by 134 runs
Dec 09-13, 2007 Colombo (SSC) SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

Match Drawn
Dec 18-22, 2007  Galle SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

Match Drawn

ODI Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Mar 23, 2001 Dambulla SL vs ENG- 3 ODIs match series

(1st match)

SL won by 5 wickets
Mar 25, 2001 Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG- 3 ODIs match series

(2nd match)

SL won by 66 runs
Mar 27, 2001 Colombo (SSC) SL vs ENG- 3 ODIs match series

(3rd match)

SL won by 10 wickets
Jun 27, 2002 Nottingham NetWest Series ENG won by 44 runs
Jul 02, 2002 The Oval NetWest Series ENG won by 3 wickets
Jul 07, 2002 Manchester NetWest Series SL won by 23 runs
Dec 17, 2002 Brisbane VB Series ENG won by 43 runs
Dec 20, 2002 Perth VB Series ENG won by 95 runs
Jan 13, 2003 Sydney VB Series SL won by 31 runs
Jan 17, 2003 Adelaide VB Series ENG won by 19 runs
Nov 18, 2003 Dambulla SL vs ENG- 3 ODI match series

(1st match)

SL won by 10 wickets
Nov 21, 2003 Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG- 3 ODIs match series

(2nd match)

Match Abandoned
Nov 23, 2003 Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG- 3 ODIs match series

(2nd match)

Match Abandoned
Sep 17, 2004  Southampton ICC Champions Trophy ENG won by 49 runs (D/L method)
Jun 17, 2006 Lord’s NatWest Series (1st Match) SL won by 20 runs
Jun 20, 2006 The Oval NatWest Series (2nd Match) SL won by 46 runs
Jun 24, 2006  Chester-le-Street NatWest Series (3rd Match) SL won by 8 wickets
Jun 28, 2006 Manchester NatWest Series (4th Match) SL won by 33 runs
Jul 01, 2006 Leeds NatWest Series (5th Match) SL won by 8 wickets
Apr 04, 2007  North Sound ICC World Cup SL won by 2 runs
Oct 01, 2007 Dambulla SL vs ENG 5 ODIs Match Series

(1st Match)

SL won by 119 runs
Oct 04, 2007 Dambulla SL vs ENG 5 ODIs Match Series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 65 runs
Oct 07, 2007 Dambulla SL vs ENG 5 ODIs Match Series

(3rd Match)

ENG won by 2 wickets
Oct 10, 2007 Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG 5 ODIs Match Series

(4th Match)

ENG won by 5 wickets
Oct 13, 2007 Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG 5 ODIs Match Series

(5th Match)

SL won by 107 wickets
Sep 25, 2009 Johannesburg ICC Champions Trophy ENG won by 6 wickets

T20i Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Jun 15, 2006 Southampton ENG vs SL- Only T20i SL won by 2 Runs
May 13, 2010  Gros Islet ICC T20 World Cup ENG won by 7 wickets

ENG vs SL Timeline 2011 to 2020

This decade was highly successful for England. They won most of their matches, including the T20 and ODI World Cup. In Test matches, often regarded as the purest form of cricket, England played 13 against Sri Lanka, including a 5-match bilateral Test series. England won 7 matches, Sri Lanka won 2, and 3 were drawn. England won 3 series, Sri Lanka won 1, and 1 series ended in a draw.

During this decade, Sri Lanka and England played 31 matches, with Sri Lanka having the upper hand by winning 15 games, while England won 13. Three games had no result due to ties and rain.

They played 7 T20 matches, including 4 in bilateral series and 3 in the T20 World Cup. England had a slight edge, winning 4 matches, while Sri Lanka won 3.

Test Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
May 26-30, 2011 Cardiff ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

ENG won by 14   runs
Jun 03- 07, 2011 Lord’s ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

Match Drawn
Jun 16-20, 2011 Southampton ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

Match Drawn
Mar 26-29, 2012 Galle SL vs ENG – 2 Test match series

(1st Match)

SL won 75 runs
Apr 03-07, 2012 Colombo (PPS) SL vs ENG – 2 Test match series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 8 wickets
Jun 12-16, 2014 Lord’s ENG vs SL – 2 Test match series

(1st Match)

Match Drawn
Jun 20-24, 2014 Leeds ENG vs SL – 2 Test match series

(2nd Match)

SL won by 100 runs
May 14-19, 2016 Leeds ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

ENG won by 88 runs
May 27-30, 2016 Chester-le-Street ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 9 wickets
Jun 09-13, 2016 Lord’s ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

Match Drawn
Nov 06-09, 2018 Galle SL vs ENG – 3 Test match series

(1st Match)

ENG won by 211 runs
Nov 14-18, 2018  Pallekele ENG vs SL – 3 Test match series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 57 runs
Nov 23-26, 2018 Colombo (SSC) SL vs ENG- 3 Test match series

(3rd Match)

ENG won by 42 runs

ODI Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Mar 26, 2011 Colombo (RPS) ICC World Cup SL won by 10 wickets
Jun 28, 2011 The Oval NetWest Series

(1st Match)

ENG won by 110 runs
Jul 01, 2011 Leeds NetWest Series

(2nd Match)

SL won by 69 runs
Jul 03, 2011 Lords NetWest Series

(3rd Match)

SL won by 6 wickets
Jul 06, 2011 Nottingham NetWest Series

(4th Match)

ENG won by 10 wickets
Jul 09, 2011 Manchester NetWest Series

(5th Matches)

ENG won by 16 runs
Jun 13, 2013 The Oval ICC Champions Trophy SL won by 7 wickets
May 22, 2014 The Oval ENG vs SL- 5 ODI Mathes Series

(1st Match)

ENG won by 81 runs
May 25, 2014 Chester-le-Street ENG vs SL- 5 ODI Mathes Series

(2nd Match)

SL won by 157 runs
May 28, 2014 Manchester ENG vs SL- 5 ODI Mathes Series

(3rd Match)

ENG won by 10 wickets
May 31, 2014 Lords SL vs ENG- 3 ODI match series

(4th match)

SL won by 7 runs
Jun 03, 2014  Birmingham SL vs ENG- 3 ODI match series

(5th match)

SL won by 6 wickets
Nov 26, 2014 Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG- 7 ODI match series

(1st match)

SL won by 25 runs
Nov 29, 2014  Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG- 7 ODI match series

(2nd match)

SL won by 8 wickets
Dec 03, 2014 Hambantota NatWest Series (3rd Match) ENG won by 5 wickets
Dec 07, 2014 Colombo (RPS) NatWest Series (4th Match) SL won by 6 wickets
Dec 10, 2014  Pallekele NatWest Series (5th Match) ENG won by 5 wickets
Dec 13, 2014 Pallekele NatWest Series (6th Match) SL won by 90 runs
Dec 16, 2014 Colombo (RPS) NatWest Series (7th Match) SL won by 87 runs
Mar 01, 2015  Wellington ICC World Cup SL won by 9 wickets
Jun 21, 2016 Nottingham ENG vs SL- 5 ODIs Match Series

(1st Match)

Match tied
Jun 24, 2016 Birmingham ENG vs SL- 5 ODIs Match Series

(2nd Match)

ENG won by 10 wickets
Jun 26, 2016 Bristol ENG vs SL 5 ODIs Match Series

(3rd Match)

No Result
Jun 29, 2016 The Oval ENG vs SL 5 ODIs Match Series

(4th Match)

ENG won by 6 wickets
Jul 02, 2016 Cardiff ENG vs SL 5 ODIs Match Series

(5th Match)

ENG won by 122 runs
Oct 18, 2018 Dambulla SL vs ENG- 5 ODI Matches Series (1st Match) No Result
Oct 13, 2018 Dambulla SL vs ENG- 5 ODI Matches Series (2nd Match) ENG won by 31 runs
Oct 17, 2018 Pallekele SL vs ENG- 5 ODI Matches Series (3rd Match) ENG won by 7 wickets
Oct 20, 2018 Pallekele SL vs ENG- 5 ODI Matches Series (4th Match) ENG won by 18 runs
Oct 23, 2018 Colombo(RPS) SL vs ENG- 5 ODI Matches Series (5th Match) SL won by 219 runs (D/L Method)
Jun 21, 2019 Leeds ICC World Cup SL won by 20 runs

T20i Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Jun 25, 2011 Bristol ENG vs SL- Only T20i SL won by 9 wickets
Oct 01, 2012 Pallekele T20 World Cup SL won by 19 runs
Mar 27, 2014 Chattogram T20 World Cup ENG won by 6 wickets
May 20, 2014 The Oval ENG vs SL- Only T20i SL won by 9 runs
Mar 26, 2016 Delhi T20 World Cup ENG won by 10 runs
Jul 20, 2016  Southampton ENG vs SL- Only T20i ENG won by 9 wickets
Oct 27, 2018  Colombo (RPS) SL vs ENG- Only T20i ENG won by 30 runs

ENG vs SL Timeline 2021 to Present

Very few matches have been played, and England has completely dominated Sri Lanka. In the ongoing Test series, which includes five games, two have been played so far, with England winning both. Sri Lanka is still waiting for its first win.

In ODIs, the teams have played four matches, with England winning two, Sri Lanka winning one, and one match ending in a draw.

They have also met in four T20 matches, all of which England have won, leaving Sri Lanka still searching for their first victory in this format.

Test Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Jan 14, 2021 Galle SL vs ENG- 2 Test Matches Series (1st Match) ENG won by 7 wickets
Jan 22, 2021 Galle SL vs ENG- 2 Test Matches Series (2nd Match) ENG won by 6 wickets
Aug 21, 2024 Manchester ENG vs SL- 3 Test Matches Series (1st Match) ENG won by 5 wickets
Aug 29, 2024 Lords ENG vs SL- 3 Test Matches Series (2nd Match) ENG won by 190 runs
Sep 06, 2024 The Oval ENG vs SL- 3 Test Matches Series (3rd Match) Yet to begin

ODI Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Jun 29, 2021  Chester-le-Street ENG vs SL- 3 ODI matches series (1st match) ENG won by 5 wickets
Jul 01, 2021 The Oval ENG vs SL- 3 ODI matches series

(2nd match)

ENG won by 8 wickets
Jul 04, 2021 Bristol ENG vs SL- 3 ODI matches series

(3rd match)

No Result
Oct 26, 2024 Bengaluru ICC World Cup SL won by 8 wickets

T20i Matches

Date Venue Tournament  Result
Jun 23, 2021 Cardiff ENG vs SL- 3 T20 matches series (1st match) ENG won by 8 wickets
Jun 24, 2021 Cardiff ENG vs SL- 3 T20 matches series (2nd match) ENG won by 5 wickets
Jun 26, 2021 Southampton ENG vs SL- 3 T20 matches series (3rd match) ENG won by 89 runs
Nov 01, 2021 Sharjah T20 World Cup ENG won by 26 runs
Nov 05, 2022 Sydney T20 World Cup ENG won by 4 wickets

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs England National Cricket Team Stats

Tournament Matches Played England Won Sri Lanka Won Draw/Tie/No Result
ODI World Cup 09 05 04 00
T20 World Cup 06 05 01 00
Champions Trophy 03 02 01 00
World Test Championship 00 00 00 00
Total 18 12 07 00

ENG vs SL Head-to-Head (All: Test, ODIs, T20is)

Matches ENG Wins SL Wins D/T/NR
131 67 49 15

ENG vs SL Head-to-Head (Test)

Matches ENG Wins SL Wins D/T/NR
38 19 08 11

ENG vs SL Head to Head (ODI)

Matches ENG Wins SL Wins Tied/NR
79 38 37 04

ENG vs SL Head to Head (T20I)

Matches ENG Wins SL Wins Tied
14 10 04 00

ENG vs SL Records (Test)
Highest Totals in an Innings

Runs Team Venue Year
628/8d Sri Lanka Colombo(SSC) 2003
591 Sri Lanka The Oval 1998
575/9d England Lord’s 2014

Lowest Totals in an Innings

Runs Team Venue Year
81 England Galle 2007
81 Sri Lanka Colombo (SSC) 2001
82 Sri Lanka Cardiff 2011

Largest Win

Margin Winning Team Venue Year
Inns & 215 Runs Sri Lanka Colombo (SSC) 2003
Inns & 111 Runs England Birmingham 2002
Inns & 88 Runs England Leeds 206

Smallest Victories

Margin Winning Team Venue Year
 42 Runs England Colombo (SSC) 2018
 3 Wickets   England Kandy 2001

Individual Records

Most Runs by Individuals

Runs Player Span
2212  Mahela Jayawardene (SL) 1998-2014
1568 Kumar Sangakkara (SL) 2001-2014
1351*  Joe Root (ENG) 2014-2024*

Highest Individual Score

Runs Player Venue Date
228 Joe Root (ENG) Galle Jan 14, 2021
213* Mahela Jayawardene (SL) Galle Dec 18, 2007
213 Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) The Oval Feb 27, 2017

Most Wickets

Wickets Player Matches Bowling Average
112 Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) 16 20.06
58 James Anderson (ENG) 14 22.18
49 Chaminda Vaas (SL) 49 31.36

Best Bowling Figures in an Innings

Bowling Player Venue Date
9/65 Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) The Oval Aug 27, 1998
8/70 Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) Nottingham Jun 02, 2006
7/46 Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) Galle Dec 02, 2003

ENG vs SL Records (ODIs)

Highest Innings Total

Score Team Venue Date 
 366/6 Sri Lanka Colombo (RPS) Oct 23, 2018
333/9 England Taunton Jun 11, 1983
324/2 Sri Lanka Leeds Jul 1, 2006

Lowest Innings Total

Team Venue Date Score
67 Sri Lanka Manchester May 28, 201
88 England Dambulla Nov 18, 200
99 Sri Lanka Perth Jan 29, 1999

Largest Victory

Margin Winning Team Venue Year
219 Runs Sri Lanka Colombo (RPS) Oct 23, 2018
157 Runs Sri Lanka Chester-le-Street May 25, 2014

Smallest Victory

Margin Winning Team Venue Year
2 Runs Sri Lanka North Sound Apr 4, 2007
3 Runs Sri Lanka Colombo (SSC) Feb 14, 1982

Most Runs (Individual)

Runs Player Span
1625 Kumar Sangakkara (SL) 2001-2015
1562 Mahela Jayawardene (SL) 1999-2015
1195 Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) 1992-2011

Highest Individual Score

Runs Player Venue Date
162 Jason Roy (ENG) The Oval Jun 29, 2016
152 Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) Leeds Jul 01, 2006
144 Mahela Jayawardene (SL) Leeds Jul 01, 2011

Most Wickets in a Career

Wickets Player Matches Bowling Average
48 Lasith Malinga (SL) 30 26.75
36 Dilhara Fernando (SL) 16 20.05
34 James Anderson (ENG) 24 26.97

Best Bowling Figures

Bowling Player Venue Date
6/27 Dilhara Fernando (SL) Colombo (RPS) Oct 13, 2007
6/29 Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) Moratuwa Mar 20, 1993
6/47 Chris Woakes (ENG) Pallekele Dec 10, 2014

ENG vs SL Records (T20Is)

Highest Innings Total

Score Team Venue Date
190/4 England Chattogram Mar 27, 2014
189/4 Sri Lanka Chattogram Mar 27, 2014
187/8 England Colombo (RPS) Oct 27, 2018

Lowest Innings Total

Score Team Venue Date
91 Sri Lanka Southampton Jun 26, 2021
111/7 Sri Lanka Cardiff Jun 24, 2021
128/6 Sri Lanka Gros Islet May 13, 2010

Most Runs (Individual) 

Runs Player Span
385 Jos Buttler (ENG) 2012-2022
253 Eoin Morgan (ENG) 2010-2021
236 Alex Hales (ENG) 2012-2022

Highest Score (Individual)

Runs Player Venue Date
116* Alex Hales (ENG) Chattogram Mar 27, 2014
101* Jos Buttler (ENG) Sharjah Nov 01, 2021
89 Mahela Jayawardene (SL) Chattogram Mar 27, 2014

Most Wickets (Individual)

Wickets Player Matches Economy
17 Chris Jordan(ENG) 9 7.05
13 Lasith Malinga (SL) 7 7.14
10 Adil Rashid (ENG) 8 5.62

Best Bowling Figures

Bowling Player Venue Date
5/31 Lasith Malinga (SL) Pallekele Oct 01, 2012
4/17 Dushmantha Chameera (SL) Southampton Jun 26, 2021
4/19 Joe Denly (ENG) Colombo (RPS) Oct 27, 2018

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