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Only a top-eight finish in the World Cup would guarantee them a place in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
'The quality is important, and the quality of the players is also very important. They were very important wickets and the team won – that is more important,' he said in the post-match press conference.
England were reduced to 52/5 inside 16 overs and were eventually bundled out for 129 in inside 35 overs.
Although England are still mathematically in the running, with skipper Jos Buttler saying they 'need a few miracles' to win their remaining games, their chances of finishing in the top four are slim and Mott said they were resigned to their fate.
Chasing a modest 157 for only their second win, Sri Lanka overcame the loss of two early wickets before Pathum Nissanka (77 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65 not out) got them across the finish line in 25.4 overs.
Without doubt, India defeating the West Indies in the 1983 final would rank as the biggest ever.
Defending champions England have now lost three of their opening four games of their title defence and are in real danger of not making the semifinals.
England crumbled to 215 all out in reply with Harry Brook the only batter to adapt to the conditions with a fighting 66 as spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan took three wickets each.
The International Cricket Council has given the outfield an 'average' rating, allowing it to host World Cup matches, but concerns about players' safety while fielding lingers.
The Black Caps again demonstrated their knack of punching above their weight in showpiece events.