England vs Sri Lanka SL in ENG, 3 ODIs, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! TIMBER! That's it, it's all over. What a beauty from Will Jacks to round off proceedings with a maiden ODI five-wicket haul. Flighted ball wide of the off stump, Jacks gets the ball to drift and dip and spin a mile. Dilshan Madushanka gets a stride out to defend, but the ball turns in big and goes through the huge gap between bat and pad to knock over the off stump. England win by 89 runs.

Dilshan Madushanka is out last to bat for Lanka.

OUT! CAUGHT! Will Jacks is putting on a match-winning display here as he gets his fourth wicket. This is tossed up, fuller and turning into the stumps. Asitha Fernando clears the front leg, goes down on one knee and swings with the spin. However, Fernando gets more height than distance and the ball sails to wide long on. Tom Banton gets under it and takes it nicely to his right. Sri Lanka 176/9, and on the verge on being bowled out.

Oh, that's turned a mile. On a length and well outside off. Asitha Fernando looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball turns past the blade and hits the pads.

Asitha Fernando walks out at 10.

OUT! CAUGHT! That should be the final nail in the coffin for Sri Lanka. Will Jacks comes around the wicket to the left-hander, hanging it up on a length, getting it to drift as well. Dunith Wellalage skips down the track and gives it an almighty hoick but miscues it high towards mid on. Jamie Overton over there takes a few steps back and pouches it safely. Wellalage's counter-punch comes to an end and England are just two wickets way from the win now.

Tossed up wide of the off stump. Chameera steps out and clips it down to long on for a single.

Floated up from wider on the crease, trying to drift it in. Dushmantha Chameera defends it off.

At the same stage, England were 199 for.

FOUR! Not the most convincing shot, but Wellalage is keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. A well-directed short ball over middle. Wellalage goes after it and gets a massive top edge that flies straight over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Lovely shot. Much fuller this time and outside off, Dushmantha Chameera extends the arms and drives it past extra cover. Harry Brook chases it down as the batters get three runs.

Banged in on a shorter length, over off. Dushmantha Chameera gets right behind the line to make another block.

On the shorter side again, Chameera rises with the bounce and taps it down to cover-point.

Short and angled across off, Wellalage stays upright and steers it down to deep third for a single.

Good length, over middle, just nibbling away. Wellalage presses back and defends it to point. The fielder has an unnecessary shy at the bowler's end and the ball deflects off the stumps, but no run is conceded.

On a length and outside off, dabbed away to deep backward point for one more. 99 needed now off 90 balls.

Fuller one, floated up on off. Chameera just blocks it into the off side and gets a single.

Jacks drags the length back, bowling it flat on off. Dushmantha Chameera hops back to defend.

Tossed up outside off, Chameers thinks about stepping out but adjusts and makes the block.

High-arm action, looping it up on off stump. Wellalage smothers it away through short third for a single.

Flighted up around off, Dushmantha Chameera comes down the pitch and hits it to the right of Jamie Overton at mid off, pinching a quick single.

It's that time of the innings again. England will now select one of the two balls in play to use for the rest of the innings. Also, Will Jacks is back on.

Shorter around off, hit away off the back foot to sweeper cover for a single. Chameera will retain strike.

Gus goes fuller now, honing in on middle and leg. Chameera pushes it out to mid on.

Back of a length and over off, Dushmantha Chameera presses back and nudges it down to point. Chameera looks fairly comfortable at the crease right now.

On a hard length, darted back in towards off. Chameera stays back and dabs it down to the right of point.

Fuller around off, tails back in slightly. Dushmantha Chameera makes a fine block off the front foot.

Back of a length, angled across off. Wellalage guides it down to deep third for a single.

Gus Atkinson (5-0-15-1) is back on.

A flighted googly, on off and turning in. Chameera leans on to block and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Good stop in the deep, but that's good running as well. Flatter one, cut away off the back foot well to the right of Joe Root at deep cover-point. Root races across the turf and palms the ball back in, but can't stop the batters from picking up three runs.

Pushed through quicker and fuller around off, Wellalage blocks it off.

SIX! Wellalage has absolutely nailed that! A googly now, floated up around middle. Wellalage goes down on one knee, whacking it high nd long over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 14 off the first 3 balls.

FOUR MORE! That is sensational. Ahmed sees Wellalage setting up for the reverse sweep and drags the length back outside off. Wellalage waits well and powers it over backward point for another boundary. 150 up for Sri Lanka as well.

FOUR! Tossed up from around the wicket, a bit full and around off. Wellalage sits down and nails the slog-sweep in front of mid-wicket and picks up another boundary.

DRINKS! Sri Lanka still need 122 more for the win with just 3 wickets in hand. They were too late to show any intent and gave way too much respect to the opposition bowlers. England have bowled well, but the Lankan batters have made it easy for them to dictate proceedings out there in the middle. Harry Brook will hope that his bowlers clean things up quickly, whereas Dunith Wellalage will look to have a bit of fun and muster up some quick runs.

On a good length, shapes back in a bit from outside off. Chameera stays solid in defence.

A full ball around off, jammed towards cover for a single.

Back of a length, in and around off stump. Wellalage stays back to defend.

FOUR! Hard length on off, angled back in. Wellalage stays leg side of the ball again and hammers it against the angle, up and over extra cover for a boundary.

SIX! Just over the fielder and straight onto the ropes. The first biggie of the game. Good-length delivery at the stumps, Wellalage backs away and smears it towards deep point. Ben Duckett over there is well and has to track back. Duckett leaps up over his shoulder but the ball brushes his fingertips and lands on the toblerone.

Very full and slanted in towards middle and leg. Wellalage toe-ends it down the deck. He then checks his bat for damage, but all is fine.

Flighted ball around off, Chameera defends it off the front foot.

Tossed up on off and middle, Dushmantha Chameera stays solid in defence.

Another googly, darted onto the pads. Chammera is beaten past the inside edge and gets hit on the pads.

Dushmantha Chameera is the new batter.

OUT! LBW! An appeal for LBW, and it's been given. Sachindu Colombage isn't happy but Sri Lanka don't have any reviews left and he has to walk back. A big googly from Rehan Ahmed. Bowled flatter and darted back into the stumps. Colombage goes for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. It is fairly low, so height isn't an issue, and Ball Tracking later shows that it would hav just clipped the leg stump. Good decision from the umpire

Flatter one around off, Wellalage rocks back and punches it through covers for one.

FOUR! A real teaser and that's sloppy fielding from England. Floated, full and outside off. Dunith Wellalage goes after it and slices it to the right of backward point. Will Jacks dives across but the ball dips and spins past him. Jofra Archer at short third reacts really late and then puts a chase in, but the ball wins the race.

Back of a length, over middle, Dunith Wellalage hops a bit and tucks it to square leg for one.

Back of a length, over off, Dunith Wellalage fends it to point.

Oh, Dunith Wellalage takes a blow on his gloves! Pounded on a hard length, biting back sharply off the seam. Wellalage tries to sway away, but the delivery is not that short. The ball attacks the batter, and Dunith takes a nasty blow straight onto the gloves

A touch fuller, on off, Dunith Wellalage dabs it to the left of backward point.

Hard length, around off, Dunith Wellalage stabs it to cover.

On a nagging length, well outside off. Sachindu Colombage makes room and attempts to lash it through cover, but gets a huge chunck of outside edge before it travel to deep backward point. Single taken.

Googly now from Ahmed, fuller, in length, outside off. Dunith Wellalage offers a front-footed defence but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short, around off, Sachindu Colombage flat bats it to long on for one.

FOUR! Exquisite! Flighted and fuller, on middle. Sachindu Colombage gets down on one knee and sweeps it swiftly toward deep square leg for a boundary.

Fullish, around middle and leg. Sachindu Colombage blocks it toward the leg side.

Tossed up, fuller in length, on off and middle. Sachindu Colombage dead bats it down.

A touch fuller, around off, Dunith Wellalage pushes it to deep cover for one.

Rehan Ahmed comes back in to replace Will Jacks.

FOUR! Streaky! Much fuller, wide outside off. Sachindu Colombage clears his front foot and looks to lash it through cover, but gets nicked off the outside edge and it zips past the right of the slip fielder for four runs.

FOUR! SHOT! Back of a length, around off and middle. Sachindu Colombage hammers it to deep square leg for a boundary.

On a length, outside off, Sachindu Colombage defends the inside line.

A chance of a run-out goes begging! Back of a length, around off, Dunith Wellalage bunts it with soft hands toward cover for a single. Joe Root charges toward it and has a shy at the striker's end, but misses the hit. If the ball had hit stumps, it would have been a gooner, as Sachindu Colombage is far away from the crease.

Much fuller, angling in, around the pads. Dunith Wellalage works it to mid-wicket.

Nice and full, on off and middle. Dunith Wellalage rests it away, toward cover.

Jofra Archer is back into the attack. Also, the likes of Will Jacks and Jamie Overton are seen leaving the field, with Liam Dawson and Jordan Cox coming on as substitute fielders.

A touch fuller, outside off, Sachindu Colombage drives it to the cover fielder.

On a length, outside off, Sachindu Colombage eases it away.

Pitches it up, on off, Sachindu Colombage looks to defend it away, but it beats the outside edge.

THREE WIDES! Some free runs for Sri Lanka. Fuller, around leg, turning down the leg side. Jos Buttler fails to glove it and the batter gets a brace.

THREE WIDES! Length ball spinning down leg past Colombage's glance. Buttler misses the collection completely, letting the ball leak out into the deep. Batters steal two runs on top of the wide call.

Loppy delivery, fuller, just outside off, Sachindu Colombage blocks it to cover.

Full, on off, Sachindu Colombage defends it down.

The Lankan lower order is now exposed as the debutant Sachindu Colombage walks out to bat with nearly 24 overs left in the innings.

OUT! LBW! Another shout for an appeal and yet again given by the umpire. Kusal Mendis takes the review and it is looking close here. Jacks jogs from around the wicket and tosses it up, fuller, around the middle stump. Kusal Mendis shuffles across the stumps to paddle sweep at it, but misses the connection and wears on the pad. However, the UltraEdge shows no spike when the ball passes the batter's glove, and the Ball Tracking detects that the ball is hitting the middle stump. Sri Lanka still need 161 runs off 143 balls and they have lost a big wicket in shape of Kusal Mendis here.

Kusal Mendis has been adjudged LBW on the field, but he's taken the review. This looks fairly straight on the first replay. There's nothing on UltraEdge, and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. It stays OUT.

Back of a length, on middle, Kusal Mendis clips it to square leg for one.

On the fuller side, around off, Dunith Wellalage drives it toward the left of cover for a single.

Shaping in, on the back of a good length, around middle. Dunith Wellalage eases it to the left of the bowler.

Pitches it up, on off, Dunith Wellalage defends it to cover.

Back of a length, just over off, Dunith Wellalage dabs it to backward point.

Hard length, outside off, Kusal Mendis guides it to deep backward point for one.

WIDE! Bumper, but Overton sails it way over the batter. Kusal Mendis ducks underneath and the umpire gives it a wide.

On a nagging length, around off and middle. Dunith Wellalage defends it down.

Short, at the stumps, Kusal Mendis punches it from his back foot to long on for a single.

A touch fuller, around the pads of the batter. Kusal Mendis pushes it to sqaure leg.

Shortish again from Jacks, just outside off. Kusal Mendis knocks it to cover.

Flighted up, fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Short, on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis tucks it to square leg.

Back of a length, outside off, slanting in. Dunith Wellalage fends it to cover.

Hard length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage makes a leave at it.

Dunith Wellalage is the new batter in for Sri Lanka.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Another one bites the dust. Overton pitches it just behind the good length, outside off, shaping it away from the batter. Jamie Overton rocks back and looks to guide it away toward backward point, but the ball gets some good bounce from the track, just kisses the top edge, to get into the gloves of Jos Buttler. Sri Lanka lose half of their team now.

Back of a length, outside off, Janith Liyanage stabs it to cover.

Full toss, on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage fends it to mid-wicket.

A touch fuller, at the stumps, Kusal Mendis flicks it to square leg and gets across.100 up for Sri Lanka!

Short again, outside off, Kusal Mendis heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one. With that single, Kusal Mendis gets to his 5000th ODIs runs.

On a length, around off, Kusal Mendis mistimes his pull to square leg.

Short, outside off, Kusal Mendis works it to mid-wicket.

On a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis defends it down.

Good work in the deep! Pitching it a touch fuller, just outside off. Janith Liyanage gets on his back foot to punch it away, but ends up opening the face of the bat and steering it through short third. The fielder, Jamie Overton, inside the inner circle, does well to track back and slides to cut it to three runs.

Short, on off and middle, Kusal Mendis pushes it to long on for one.

Much fuller, on middle, Kusal Mendis clips it to deep square leg for one.

Back of a length, around off, Kusal Mendis stabs it to cover.

FOUR! Oh, easy as you like it! Pitches it fuller, shaping in just a shade, toward the off stump. Kusal Mendis prods forward and drives it, using the bottom hand to loft it over mid on for four runs.

Serves it fuller, on middle, Kusal Mendis clips it to the right of deep square leg for a brace.

Pitches it fuller, on off and middle, Kusal Mendis nudges it to mid-wicket.

Bangs it hard onto the track and generates enough bounce off it. Kusal Mendis looks to block it down, but the ball hits the gloves of the batter and bounces off toward the off side.

Serves it fuller, with some flight, on off, Janith Liyanage defends it back to the bowler.

Short of a length, around off, Janith Liyanage blocks it out.

Turning in sharply, around off, on a nagging length, Janith Liyanage works it across, toward mid-wicket.

Flighted and fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, fuller, on off, Janith Liyanage pushes it to point and gets a single.

Sri Lanka in a spot of real bother now as Janith Liyanage walks out to bat next.

OUT! LBW! Huge appeal from England and up goes the finger of the umpire. Charith Asalanka opts for a review here. Pitching it fuller, does Jacks, around the off stump, angling in. Charith Asalanka gets down on one knee to sweep it away but misses and wears on the pad. The UltraEdge shows no spike when the ball passes the bat, and the Ball Tracking turns three reds hitting the off stump. Sri Lanka lose their fourth wicket with just 85 runs on the board.

Full-pitched delivery, wide of the off stump. Asalanka drives it square through the off side and picks up a single to get off the mark.

Hard length in the channel, Charith Asalanka hangs back to defend.

The next batter is the skipper himself, Charith Asalanka.

OUT! CAUGHT! Jamie Overton hits right back, and Pavan Rathnayake cannot believe it. Overpitched delivery, outside off. Rathnayake leans on and punches the drive, but does so a bit uppishly. Tom Banton at cover, standing a bit close in, just gets low on his knees and grabs it nonchalantly down to his right with both hands. End of a brewing partnership and Sri Lanka are now 84/3, in pursuit of 266.

FOUR! Smashed away. Short and wide, sits up nicely for the batter. Rathnayake stays leg side of the ball and slams it flat and past backward point for a boundary.

Fuller one on the pads, wristed away to deep square leg for a single.

Ooh, that's a beauty! Full of a good length, in the channel and deviates away a bit. Kusal Mendis gets squared up as the ball goes agonizingly past the outside edge. It doesn't quite carry t the keeper either.

Flighted ball around off, kept out by Rathnayake.

Back to over the wicket, bowled flatter and at the stumps. Mendis forces it off the back foot with an angled blade and down to long on for one more.

Tossed up, full and angled across off. Rathnayake drives it to deep cover and rotates strike.

Bowled from around the wicket now, darted into the pads. This is swiped off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Good length, angled into the stumps. Mendis stays back and works it to mid-wicket.

On a nagging length, trying to turn it in from outside off. Kusal Mendis goes on the back foot to tuck it leg side.

Hard length, on a tight line around off. Rathnayake hops back and dabs it down to short third.

Pitched much fuller, on the pads and this is pushed away wide of the mid on fielder for a couple of runs.

Oh, that's a bit awkward for the batter. Back of a length, bashed into the surface and it is the cross-seamer. Kusal Mendis is taken aback by the extra bounce and just about manages to fend it away between square leg and mid-wicket for a single.

Slanted in towards the pads, Mendis tucks it down to square leg.

A tad fuller now and at the stumps, clipped away to wide mid on.

Overton starts on the money. He hits the deck hard, bowling it on a good length and just outside off. Kusal Mendis watchfully defends.

DRINKS! It has been a decent start to the chase for the visitors. The chase got off to a stunning start as Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis scored 12 off the first over but the pace of the innings changed as the chase progressed and after 17 overs, SL are at 73 for 2. The Lankan middle-order will need to grind in the hard yards and will need to bat most of the chase if they are to chase this down. England will need to keep picking wickets if they are to keep the Lankans pinned.

Pushed through a bit quicker and fuller around off, Rathnayake plays it to covers.

A googly now, flatter around off. Mendis works it off the back foot to mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up around off, Mendis is happy to defend after those two boundaries.

FOUR! This time in front of square. Short ball at the stumps, Mendis rocks back, gets his hands over the ball and smacks it down in front of square leg for another boundary.

FOUR! That's a good shot. Flatter on the stumps, Kusal Mendis lunges for the sweep and angles it down to long leg for a boundary.

Slowed up by Rehan, floated full and around off. Mendis plays it late and edges it down with soft hands to short third.

Good length in the channel, guided off the back foot and down to deep third for just another single. 202 more needed off 204 balls.

Fullish length outside off, Rathnayake stays put and plays it away from the body, towards deep cover-point and picks up a single.

Straighter line from Tongue, a touch full and attacking middle stump. Rathnayake defends it with a straight bat.

Back of a length, angled at the ribs. Mendis gets cramped but manages to flick it away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Shorter around off, Rathnayake presses back on his toes and dabs it down to deep third for a single.

Good-length delivery, angled well back into the off stump. Rathnayake stays back and defends it off.

Nicely flighted on off and middle, Mendis stays leg side of the ball and eases it towards cover.

Tossed up outside off, Rathnayake steps out and recahes for it, driving it to wide long off for one more.

The wrong'un, bowled flatter and into the pads. Mendis gets side on and flicks it to deep square leg for one as the ball once again stays low.

Nice and full, floated wide of the off stump. Kusal Mendis is drawn forward and edges it down to short third.

Fuller on off, pushed away to the right of short extra cover for a single.

On the shorter side and outside off, staying down a bit. Rathnayake rocks back and taops it to short extra cover.

Tongue goes wider on the crease, bowling it a bit full and slanting it into the stumps. Mendis walks inside the line and blocks it to wide mid on.

Banged in on a hard length over middle, Kusal blocks it off.

FOUR! A bit of relief as Mendis picks up a welcome boundary. Back of a length, straighter in line again. Mendis hops inside the line and gloves it past the keeper, into the fine leg fence for four runs.

Slower one, slightly into the pitch. Rathnayake presses back and tucks it down to long leg for one more.

Back of a length, a bit straighter in line. Mendis wrists it down to the right of mid-wicket and picks up an easy single.

A full ball outside off at 143 kph. Mendis jabs at it, pushing it down to cover. There seems to be a lack of intent now from the Lankan batters.

Slightly dragged length, drifted in, but it is the leg break again. Rathnayake watchfully fends it to cover. A maiden for Rehan Ahmed.

Flatter now, on off and middle. Rathnayake stays back and taps it into the off side.

Beaten once again! Floated up around off, turning away. Rathnayake keeps playing for the googly, but the ball keeps beating his outside edge.

Another ripper of a delivery! Flighted up on off, drifted in. The ball dips and grips, going away. Rathnayake looks to defend but the ball beats the outside edge and the top of off stump by a whisker.

Tossed up again, a bit fuller and on off. Rathnayake leans on and tentatively pushes it to extra cover.

That's a lovely delivery from Rehan. A lot more flight on this one, looped up and dipping on the batter before turning away. Rathnayake is drawn forward but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and outside off, sliding onto the bat nicely. Kusal Mendis presses back and glides it away, wide of deep third for a brace. 50 up for Sri Lanka.

A bit shorter and a little wider of the off stump. Rathnayake slashes it away to deep third and picks up a single.

Hard length around off, darted back in from wider of the crease. Pavan Rathnayake gets right behind the line to make the block.

Pavan Rathnayake walks out next to bat for the visitors.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Pathum Nissanka will be so disappointed with himself here. Josh Tongue brings out the cross-seam delivery, pitching it on a good length and outside off stump. The ball skids through after pitching. Nissanka's feet go nowhere, and he indecisively pokes at it, getting a feather through to the keeper. Jos Buttler makes no mistake with the gloves on, and Sri Lanka are now 48/2, chasing 266.

A bit shorter around off, Mendis hops up and nurdles it into the off side, picking up a quick single.

Tongue switches ends. This is bowled back of a length on the hips, tucked away to long leg for a single.

Tossed up on off, Kusal Mendis leans on to defend.

Was that a chance dropped? It sure was. Lazy attempt from Ahmed. A googly, outside off. Nissanka goes to sweep but miscues it back towards the bowler, just inches above the ground. Ahmed lets it through the legs and concedes a single.

FOUR! Dragged down, and punished by Nissanka. Shorter and outside off, it sits up nicely for the batter. Nissanka camps back and pulls it away over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Bowled from the front of the hand, pushed through on middle and leg. Nissanka hops back to defend.

Flatter delivery on off and middle, holds in the deck a bit. Pathum Nissanka rocks back and plays it back to the bowler.

Marginally short to begin with. On middle and leg, hit away off the back foot to deep square leg for one.

End of Powerplay 1! A steady start for Sri Lanka, but they would have liked 10 or so runs more at this stage. The field will now spread as well. Also, Rehan Ahmed comes into the attack now.

Good length, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka flicks this through the square leg region for a couple of runs.

On a length, wide of off, Pathum Nissanka drives this straight to the fielder at covers.

Good length, on off, Pathum Nissanka defends this to the off side.

On a length, around the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this to deep backward square leg for a single.

Bouncer, around off, Kusal Mendis ducks down.

On a length, around off, Mendis gets close to the pitch of the ball and keeps it out.

Way too full, around off, Kusal Mendis gets it edged off the inside through square leg for one.

Full and wide of off, Kusal Mendis punches this to point for no run.

Josh bowls it on a nagging length, around off, Kusal Mendis defends this off his front foot.

Back of a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka hangs onto his back foot and guides this to point.

Full and on the pads, Kusal Mendis tickles this to the fine leg region for a single.

Good length, around off, Kusal Mendis prods in front and keeps it out.

Full and on the pads, Pathum Nissanka tucks this through square leg for a brace.

Back of a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka punches this to cover-point for a dot.

Good length, on off, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out.

Gus bowls it on that nagging length, around off, angling back into the batter. Pathum Nissanka gets it edged off the inside onto his pads for a dot.

On a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka presses onto his front foot and keeps it out.

Good length, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out off his back foot.

Good length, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka flicks this through backward square leg for a single.

On a length, around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka pushes this to mid on.

Good length, around off, angling back into the batter, Pathum Nissanka gets deep inside the crease and keeps it out.

FOUR! That has been smashed away to the fence. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Pathum Nissanka leans into the drive and smashes this square on off for a boundary.

Short and on middle and off, Pathum Nissanka defends it out.

Yorker, on off, Pathum Nissanka jams it out.

Full and around off, Kusal Mendis drives this to covers for no run.

Good length, on middle and off, Kusal Mendis defends this off his front foot.

Kusal Mendis walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gus Atkinson breaks the opening pair. Good length, on middle and off, Kamindu Mendis leans into the line of the ball and flicks this in the air. The ball goes straight into the lap of Ben Duckett at the short mid-wicket position. Ben Duckett grabs hold of it. Kamindu Mendis departs on 14 off 19.

On a length, around middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis keeps it out.

Back of a length, on off, Kamindu Mendis defends this to extra cover.

FOUR! That's been hit with elegance for four runs. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Kamindu Mendis gets onto his front foot and drives this through the extra cover region for a boundary.

Short and around off, Pathum Nissanka thumps this to the off side for no run.

On a length, wide of off, Pathum Nissanka has a tnetative poke at it but gets beaten.

FOUR! Good length, around off, Pathum Nissanka hangs onto his back foot and looks for a punch off it. Gets it edged off the outside edge and the ball races to the third man fence for a boundary.

On a length, around middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka defends this to the leg side.

Full and around off, Pathum Nissanka drives this to short cover.

On the shorter side this time, around off, Pathum Nissanka hops back inside the crease and looks to punch this to the off side but misses out.

On a length, in line with the stumps, Mendis punches this to covers.

Good length, around middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis blocks it out as well.

Even fuller, around off, Mendis dead bats it.

Full and around off, Kamindu Mendis gets onto his front foot and keeps it out.

Good length, on top of off, Kamindu Mendis blocks it to covers.

On a length, around off, going away from the batter. Pathum Nissanka gets an outside edge and goes through the third man region for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Kamindu Mendis gets up on his toes and keeps it out.

Jofra bowls it at 143 kph, on a length, around off, Kamindu Mendis defends it out.

Jofra bowls it around that 6-8 m length, around off, Kamindu Mendis flashes at it but gets baten on the outside.

Good length, wide of off, Kamindu Mendis has a poke at it but gets beaten.

LEG BYE! Good length, onto the pads, Pathum Nissanka misses on the flick and gets it tickled off his pads to fine leg for a leg bye.

Back of a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka defends it out.

FOUR! Kamindu ends another over with a boundary. Good length, onto the pads, going down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis leans inside the line of the ball and flicks this past the short mid-wicket fielder to his right for a boundary.

Good length, wide of off, Kamindu Mendis leans into the drive and punches this to mid off.

Good length, around off, Pathum Nissanka plays this late and guides this to the left of point. A slight misfield allows the run.

Gus goes full and bowls it on a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka punches this to extra cover.

Drags his length even back, around off, Pathum Nissanka pats this to covers.

Gus bowls it on a hard length, around off, Pathum Nissanka defends it out.

Gus Atkinson to take the other new ball.

FOUR! Clipped into the gap for four runs. On a length, around middle and leg, Kamindu Mendis leans into the delivery and flicks this past the mid on fielder to the left of mid on for a boundary.

On a length, around off, climbs on the batter. Kamindu Mendis plays within the line and gets beaten on the outside.

On a length, around the pads, Kamindu Mendis flicks this to fine leg for two runs.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Kamindu Mendis tucks this to mid-wicket.

Back of a length, on leg, Pathum Nissanka helps this through backward square leg for a single.

WIDE! Good length, wide down the leg side, Wided.

FOUR! A boundary to kick-start the chase for the Lankan side. Half-volley, around off, Pathum Nissanka leans into the drive and smashes it through the gap between point and cover-point for a boundary. This also brings up 300 ODI runs for Pathum Nissanka.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! An inswinging yorker onto the leg side, hint of a reverse swing. Josh Tongue falls over to flick it away but misses with the bat. The ball hits the pads of Josh and deflects back onto the stumps. Josh Tongue departs on a golden duck and England are bowled out for 265.

FOUR! Jacks has taken Dushmantha Chameera to the cleaners in this over. Short and on the leg side, Will Jacks comes inside the line of the ball and fends this past the left of the short fine leg fielder for fourth boundary on a trot.

FOUR! Make it three boundaries in a row for Will. Good length, around off, Will Jacks hangs onto his back foot and cuts this through the covrs region for a boundary past the extra cover fielder to his left this time.

FOUR! Excellently played in the gap for four more runs. Pitched-up delivery, arond off, Will Jacks leans into the drive, gets right on top of the bounce and drives this past extra cover to his right for a boundary.

FOUR! That's been lofted over the infield for a boundary. On a length, wide of off, Will Jacks moves away to his leg side, opens up the off side and lofts this over mid off to add four runs to the tally.

Good length, on middle and off, Will Jacks punches this to mid off for a dot.

Pitched up, on middle and off, Will Jacks chips this over the bowler for two runs as long on fielder cuts it off to his left.

Josh Tongue is the last batter in for England, but he'll be at the non-striker's end to begin with. Dushmantha Chameera is back on to finish things at the death alongside Asitha Fernando. Also, Sri Lanka have gone past the innings timer, and in comes the penalty. They will be allowed one fewer boundary rider now.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Asitha bowls it a tad too full, on the pads, Jofra Archer stands still and swings with no footwork at all. The ball beats his bat and clips off his pads onto the stumps. Jofra Archer departs and England are 247 for 9.

Full and on off, Will Jacks tuck this through the leg ide for another run.

Hard length, on the pads, Jofra flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, around off, Jofra Archer punches this to point.

Good length, on middle and off, Will Jacks punches this through the bowler, down the ground to the right of mid off for a single.

Good length, around off, Will Jacks hits this well but straight to the fielder.

Asitha Fernando (9-0-50-1) returns to the attack.

Short and wide of off, Jofra Archer looks to cut this over point but misses out.

Good length, on the pads, Will Jacks flicks this through backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Jofra Archer guides this through backward point region for one run.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg side. Wided.

Yorker, on off, Jofra Archer dead bats it.

Jofra Archer walks out to bat next.

OUT! CASTLED! Dilshan comes around the wicket, bowls it on a good length, around off, Gus Atkinson shimmies back and away and and has a swing at it but get beaten on the outside and the ball goes on to break the stumps. Gus Atkinson departs on 14 and England are 241 for 8.

Good length, wide of off, Gus Atkinson blocks it to point for a dot.

Nice and full, smothered away down to long on for a single. 8 off that over.

Drifted into the legs, worked away through the mid-wicket region for a single. Jacks initially looks for two, but Atkinson sends him back.

Bowled flatter and darted into the pads, staying a bit low. Atkinson stays back and pats it past the diving bowler to long on for a run more.

Fuller and on off, eased away through the off side for a single.

FOUR! This time, Will Jacks picks the gap. Flatter on off, Jacks rocks back and slaps it down past cover and helps himself to four runs.

Nagging length, just outside off, Jacks backs away and smacks it to cover-point.

FOUR! And right on cue, Gus Atkinson gets a boundary for England after about 6 overs. Short ball, directed in over the front shoulder. Atkinson gets cramped up as he goes after it and gets a faint top edge, as the ball rolls into the fine leg fence.

Full and straight, Jacks steps out and hits it straight to mid off, picking up a quick single. The boundaries have truly dried up for England.

Angled in from wider on the crease, full and on the pads. Jacks fails to get any bat on it and the ball brushes the pads before rolling behind to the keeper. Jacks will be disappointed to have missed out here.

Short of a good length around off, Jacks stands tall and scythes it away wide of long off for a couple of runs.

That is such a risky single. Good length on off, bunted in front of short extra cover for a quick single. The fielder misses the underarm throw at the stumps at the keeper's end and Jacks makes it through.

A play and a miss. Dilshan Madushanka starts with a hard-length ball, just outside off, and this one cuts back in a bit. Atkinson stays leg side and tries to cut but misses.

Fired into the pads, tucked away to deep square leg for a single. Only four singles in the over.

Nagging length on off, Jacks hops back and plays it away from the body, pushing it through covers for one more.

Dropped fractionally short around off, Atkinson makes room and slaps it to sweeper cover for another single.

Excellent running. On the pads, nudged off the back foot to the right of short mid-wicket, and Jacks pinches the single.

Stump-to-stump bowling again. Jacks backs away and pushes it out to cover-point.

Quick and flat at the stumps. Jacks watchfully defends.

Dunith Wellalage comes back into the attack.

Perfect length, fairly full and on off, tailing back in late. Jacks goes for the drive but is nearly too late, getting it off the inside half of the blade past square leg for a single.

Back of a length and in the channel, Atkinson stands tall and eases it to covers.

A surprise short ball now, at the ribs. Atkinson manages to help it down to fine leg for a run.

Pitched up on middle and leg, inches short of being a yorker. Atkinson digs it across to mid-wicket.

Another one that tails back in but it ends up being a full toss. Jacks clips it down to long on for a run.

That's a lethal delivery from Chameera. A straight yorker, reversing back into the right-hander, late as well. Atkinson does well to take the front leg out and jam it behind square leg for a single. Hang on, Sri Lanka have taken a review for LBW. That seemed straight off the bat, but the third umpire will have a look at it. The very first replay clears things quickly, and it was indeed off the bat. Not Out, and a review wasted by Sri Lanka.

A bowling performance to remember for the debutant. Sachindu Colombage (10-0-44-3) ends his spell with a dot.

A dot to end a superb spell on debut. Nicely flighted around middle, Will Jacks leans on to work it away but gets a leading edge towards cover. Sachindu Colombage finishes with figures of 10-0-44-3.

Slightly dragged length, on leg. Atkinson goes back in the crease and hits it to deep square leg for a run.

On the money! Floated up on off Atkinson strides out to defend.

Pushed through flatter on the stumps, Atkinson smothers it away to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, on the stumps, Jacks makes room and looks to drive but hits it uppishly and well to the left of the bowler. Colombage dives but the ball goes past him to long off for a single.

Drifted into the pads, Gus Atkinson leans on and pushes it through mid on for a single.

Powerplay 2 is done. Sri Lanka will now be allowed a maximum of 5 fielders outside the inner ring, and they have pulled things back brilliantly with the ball.

On a length, around middle and off, Gus Atkinson punches this down the ground to the left of long on for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Gus Atkinson blocks it off his back foot.

Good length, on off, Gus Atkinson presses onto his front foot and defends it out.

Full and on the pads, Will Jacks punches this past the mid on region for a single.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg side. Wided.

Good length, on off, Will Jacks defends it out, straight to the fielder.

On a length, around the pads, Will Jacks tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot.

Flighted, around off, Gus Atkinson keeps it out.

Gus Atkinson makes his way out to the middle now.

OUT! CASTLED! Wrong'un around middle and off, turning into the batter, Jamie Overton looks for a leggie but the ball turns the other way and beats him on the inside. The ball goes on and breaks the furniture. Jamie Overton departs and England are 211 for 7 now.

Fuller on middle and off, Jamie Overton sweeps this to backward square leg for no run.

Fuller on the pads, Jamie Overton looks to keep it out but gets it edged to point for no run.

Tossed up, around off, Will Jacks drives this to sweeper cover for a single.

Fired onto the pads, Will Jacks looks to flick around the square leg region and gets a leading edge that lands short of the bowler.

Good length, on the pads, Jamie Overton tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot.

FOUR! That's been smoked down the ground for four runs. Pitched-up delivery, on middle and off, Jamie Overton gets behind the line of the ball and smashes this to the right of the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Good length, around off, Jamie Overton gets it away off the toe of his bat to the third man region for two runs.

Good length, on off, Jamie Overton defends this to point for no run.

WIDE! Full and on the pads, going down the leg side. Jamie misses the flick. Wided.

This one stays really low. On a length, around off, Jamie Overton swings and misses.

Good length, angling down the leg, Jamie Overton looks to work this around square leg but misses and gets hit on his thigh pad. A gentle appeal but the umpire shakes it off.

Pushed through around off, Jamie Overton gets it chopped off the inside edge towards the fine leg region for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Will Jacks drives this through covers for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Jamie Overton punches this off his back foot for a single.

Too full, on off, Jamie Overton drives this well but it is fielded inside the circle.

Too full, around off, Will Jacks drives this to sweeper cover for a single to bring up 200 for England.

Fuller around off, Will Jacks drives this to extra cover for no run.

On a length, around off, Jamie Overton defends it out.

Jamie Overton is in next.

OUT! REHAN IS RUN OUT! An absolute brainfade from Rehan Ahmed and it costs him his wicket. Good length, on off, Rehan Ahmed punches this to the covers region and sets off for a single, which was never on. Will Jacks asks him to retreat but Charith Asalanka is quickly onto the ball, he picks it up and hits the single stump, which was visible to him at the striker's end. Rehan is out by a fair margin.

Dilshan bowls it on a good length, around off, Rehan Ahmed looks to open his bat face and guide it again towards the third man region but gets it edge and the ball lands just short of the keeper.

On a length, wide of off, Rehan Ahmed presses onto his font foot and guides this to the left of the third man fielder for a brace.

Short and wide of off, Rehan Ahmed looks to help it over the keeper with a lap but misses.

Good length, around off, Will Jacks carves this to deep third for a single.

Pushed through around off, Rehan Ahmed defends this off his front foot.

Floated on middle and off, Rehan Ahmed defends it out.

Flighted, around off, Rehan Ahmed jams it back to the bowler.

Rehan Ahmed is in at number 7 for England.

OUT! LBW! Slider on middle and leg, Jos Buttler looks to flick it to the leg side off his back foot but misses and gets hit on his pads. A loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. This looked dead straight but the umpire might have felt an inside edge, which is why he gave it not out. Kusal Mendis opts for DRS. Ball Tracking confirms three reds, with the ball clattering into the middle of the middle stump and the umpire is forced to overturn his decision to OUT.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Will Jacks drives this to long off for a single.

Floated on middle and leg, Will Jacks drills this through mid on for a brace. The ball was racing away to the fence but the fielder at long on moves away to his left and flicks it to the fielder covering in from long on and keeps it down to two.

We are past the 34-over mark. This means that one of the two balls in play will be selected by the bowling team to be used for the remainder of this innings. Also, Sri Lanka are way behind on the over rate and have about 55 minutes to complete the remaining 16 overs. A possible over-rate penalty is heading their way.

FOUR! That's been smashed away in the gap for a boundary. Slower one, on middle and off, Jos Buttler takes his bottom hand off the handle of his bat and flicks this to the cow corner region for a boundary.

On a length, around middle and off, Jos Buttler flicks this through the mid-wicket region and takes a brace.

Chameera bowls it on a good length, on off, Jos Buttler defends this off his back foot.

Bowls it on a length, around off, Will Jacks punches this through the off side for a single.

Good length, onto the pads, Will Jacks tickles this off his pads to the left of the keeper.

On a length, around off, Jos Buttler pats this to the left of short mid-wicket and sneaks a quick single.

Floated on the pads, Jos Buttler works this through square leg and takes a single.

Quicker one, around off, Josh Tongue punches this to point.

Fuller around the pads, Will Jacks flicks this through square leg for a single.

Flighted, around off, Will Jacks looks to flick it away to the leg side but gets beaten as the ball keeps low.This wasn't far from the off-pole.

Tossed up, on the pads, Will Jacks pats this to the left of short mid-wicket.

Fuller on off, Will Jacks keeps it out.

Back of a length, on off, Josh Tongue gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out. Just 1 run and a wicket off this over.

Good length, on the pads, Will Jacks flicks this to the fine leg region for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Will Jacks goes for a pull but misses and edges this onto hi pads for no run.

On a length, around off, Jacks defends this off his back foot.

Good length, around off, Will Jacks has a lazy poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Will Jacks is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Pitched-up delivery around off, Harry Brook shimmies down the track and hits this in the air. Brook was looking to loft this over covers but his bat tilts in his hands and gets it miscued into the hands of Dilshan Madushanka at the deep point region. Harry Brook departs on 67 off 69 and England are 182 for 4.

Pushed through on middle and off, Harry Brook gets it away through cover-point for a single.

Much slower, on middle and off, Harry Brook defends this off his front foot.

Tossed up, around off, Jos Buttler drives this to sweeper cover for a single.

Too full, on middle and off, Harry Brook punches this off his back foot through covers for a run.

Too full, around off, Harry Brook blocks this around short third.

FOUR! Dunith sprays one down the leg side, Harry Brook gets into a good position and paddle sweeps this past the right of he short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Ooh, that's nicely bowled. On a good length and in the channel, Jos Buttler hangs back and looks to push it away square on the off side, but the ball seams away and whizzes past the outside edge.

Back of a length ad outside off, tapped down towards backward point for a single.

The intent of the second run forces a misfield here. Good length on middle and leg, tucked away to deep mid-wicket for a single, but eventually, Brook does get the second run as well.

First time we have seen Brook being aggressive like that in this inning. Hard length outside off, Brook steps out and looks to lace it over the off side but the ball just nips away past the outside edge.

Good length, straighter in line again, wristed away gently to mid-wicket.

Pitched-up delivery, attacking middle stump. Brook solidly blocks it off.

DRINKS! The Lankans need to pick wickets and Brook holds real importance as he can switch gears in the blink of an eye. At 172 for 3 after 29 overs, England will not look to settle anywhere under 320 at least. And as per the word around the sport, a team is bound to double the total they are at by the 30th over, come the end of the innings. If that's the case, Sri Lanka are in trouble.

Bowled flatter around off, this one darts back in with the arm. Buttler rocks back and jams it out on the off side.

Floated up on off, pushed away to deep cover for a single.

A bit more flight on this one, pushing it wide of the off stump. Brook plays it square through the off side and picks up a couple of more handy runs.

Full again, drifted into middle and leg. Buttler makes room and drives it to long off for a single this time.

Tossed up around off, driven away along the turf and wide to the left of the long off fielder for a couple of easy runs.

Just over! Full and straight, Buttler lunges forward to play the reverse sweep, scooping it just over the leaping point fielder and picks up a couple of runs.

Yorker-length delivery on off and middle, at 135 kph. Brook clips it across to mid-wicket.

That's nicely done by Buttler. Pitched up on off, Buttler walks down the pitch and shovels it away between mid on and mid-wicket, and it is Dunith Wellalage from the former region, who hunts it down. Three taken.

Good-length delivery, attacking the stumps, Buttler pushes it across to the leg side.

A bit slower and into the pitch, bowled around the fifth stump line. Buttler blocks it off.

Hard length, straighter in line, and tucked away to the on side by Buttler.

Back of a length and outside off, steered away behind point for a single.

FOUR! Hit hard by Buttler, but could Dunith Wellalage have got a hand to it? Full and on off, Buttler takes the front leg out and hammers it to the left of the bowler. Wellalage initially sticks out his left hand, but brings it back in as the ball races away to the long off fence. Maybe, that was out of reach.

Flatter one at 88 kph, sliding it in towards the stumps. The ball holds a bit as Buttler backs away and jams it out to the left of the bowler.

Good length outside off, punched off the back foot to cover.

Fuller in length, around off, Brook swipes it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Safely home, but Jos Buttler was in a spot of bother there. Flatter and around off, played off the back foot between point and cover. The batters look for the run but decide against it. The point fielder then fails to pick it up cleanly and Brook calls Buttler through for the single. The fielder recovers and lobs it to the bowler, who whips off the bails, but replays show that Buttler made his ground.

Full and floated up, Buttler makes a bit of room and crunches the drive straight to short extra cover.

Change from both ends, as Dunith Wellalage is back on.

A rib-tickler from Asitha. Buttler works it away down to long on to make it a fifth straight single. 7 runs off that over.

Two is the early call, but that's gone straight to the fielder. A bit shorter and straighter, angled away using the wrists towards deep backward square leg for another single.

Excellent running. Pace off and into the pitch, over middle. Buttler hops back and dabs it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder and Brook calls him through for a quick run.

Good length, bowled wide of the off stump. Brook stays back and extends the arms, smacking it to sweeper cover for a run more.

Back of a length and over middle, wristed away past square leg for a single. 150 up for England now.

A slower bumper over middle and leg, Buttler gets inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Asitha Fernando comes back into the attack now, replacing Dilshan Madushanka.

Buttler looks to get a big hit out of the way, but it doesn't come off. Flighted ball, drifted into the leg pole. Buttler takes the front leg out and heaves it off the inner half of the blade to wide long on and picks up a single.

Another one that's floated up wide of the off stump. This time Brook keeps his shape and drills it down to long off for a single.

Colombage hangs it up wide of the off stump, inviting the drive. Brook ends up snatching at it and smothers it to the cover fielder.

Flatter one pushed into leg stump, Buttler hangs back and whips it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Too full and outside off, driven away to deep cover for one. With that single, Harry Brook brings up his FIFTY. His 7th in ODIs.

FOUR! Floated up on the pads, ends up drifting down leg. Harry Brook goes to sweep and gets a bit of bat on it, and the ball goes past the keeper and into the fine leg fence.

Length again, in the channel around off. Buttler presses forward and blocks it with a slightly open bat face behind point.

Hard length outside off, Buttler takes a couple of steps down the pitch and blocks it to cover.

WIDE! Risky from Buttler, exposing his stumps like that. Madushanka sees him walking across to the off side and fires it in on leg stump, but spills it well down leg in the end.

Good length at the stumps, worked away to deep square leg for a run.

Fuller one from around the wicket, just outside off. Brook taps it across to mid-wicket.

Brook looks a bit jittery, looking to pick up singles that aren't there. Hard length over middle, tucked to the right of square leg. Brook is sent back quickly by Buttler, but there is a slight fumble. Brook wants the single but the ball has barely gone inches away from the fielder and Brook scurries back.

Back of a length, and on a tight line around off. Buttler stays back and dabs it down to deep third for a single.

Tossed up full again, drifted into middle. Brook blocks it out to cover.

Nicely floated up on off, turns away a bit. Brook leans on and pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Tossed up outside off, Jos Buttler drives it to deep cover and picks up a single.

First wicket in the ODI circuit for Sachindu Colombage and it is a giant of the game. Jos Buttler comes in at 5.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Sachindu Colombage gets his first international wicket, and a big one at that. This is pushed through flatter on off and middle, a bit fuller as well. Joe Root opts to play it off the back foot but gets caught on the crease. The ball skids through at first but holds a bit in the deck as well, sliding past the outside edge and castles into the stumps. Root finally gets dimissed in ODI cricket after 4 consecutive not outs and England are now 135/3.

Good length outside off, tapped away through the cover region for a single.

Shorter one outside off, Root mistimes the cut to the left cover and sets off for the single. The fielder gets a favorable bounce but has to turn 180 degrees as he has a shy at the bowler's end, but misses the stumps.

Pitched up on off, at 136 kph, and skidding through. Brook defends it to cover and thinks about the single, but quickly decides against it.

Length ball on the pads, tickled down to the right of the fine leg fielder for a couple of easy runs.

Half an appeal for LBW, but turned down. Probably pitching outside leg, or maybe an inside edge, as there were two sounds. Nagging length around leg, slanting across. Brook looks to nudge it leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Shorter now, pulled away through square leg for a single.

A tight, tight single, and Joe Root would be gone with a direct hit. Good length on middle and leg, nudged away to the right of mid-wicket and Brook is on his bike. The fielder misses the shy at the keeper's end and Root later signals Brook to take it easy. Brook has a bit of fun by signalling that Root should be running faster.

Length ball, pitching it on middle and leg. Brook stays back and jabs at it, getting a thick inside edge onto the pads.

Dilshan Madushanka comes back into the attack.

10 easy runs off that over. Pushed into the pads, Brook rocks back and works it 'round the corner on the leg side for a run.

Looped up, very full and outside off. Root squeezes it through the point reguon and rotates strike.

Flighted delivery on off, Brook gets forward and shows the full face of the blade, pushing it down to long off for a single.

Floated up slower, at 80 kph and on the pads. Brook nudges it away to short mid-wicket.

Brook moves into the 40s now. Dragged length, on middle and leg, worked away off the bak foot and wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for two runs.

FOUR! Nailed! Tossed up around off, a bit too full. Harry Brook leans on and stays leg side of the ball, hammering it past the cover fielder for a boundary.

WIDE! Flatter one, darted well down the leg side. Brook fails to sweep it away.

Back of a length, on off, Harry Brook gets up on his toes and dabs this to the third man region for a single.

Short and wide of off, Harry Brook looks to play this towards the left of the backward point fielder but misses out.

On a length, around middle and off, Harry Brook flicks this right out of the middle of his bat but straight to mid-wicket.

Good length, on off, Joe Root dabs this to the right of the point fielder for a single.

On a length, around the pads, Joe Root tucks this through the mid-wicket region for a rotation of strike.

FOUR! A lucky boundary for Root. Short and around off, Joe Root loosk to guide this through the short third region but gets it under-edged to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Fuller on middle and leg, Joe Root goes deep inside the crease and works this by rolling his wrists to the backward square leg region for a single.

Fuller on the pads, Harry Brook flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

FOUR! Brook is owning the Lankan bowling attack here. Too full, round off, Harry Brook strides onto his front foot and drive this through the extra cover region for a boundary.

Quicker one, on the pads, Harry Brook works this through the mid-wicket region for one run.

Fuller around off, Harry Brook drives this through the right of the short cover fielder for one run.

Fuller on off, Harry Brook defends this off his front foot.

Sachindu Colombage comes back in, replacing Dunith Wellalage.

Back of a length, around off, Harry Brook plays this late and off his back foot to guide this to the third man fielder for one.

FOUR! Short again, around middle and off, Harry Brook rocks onto his back foot and pulls this in front of square towards the deep mid-wicket square for a boundary.

Full and on middle and leg, Joe Root presents a full face of his bat and punches this through mid on for a single.

Short and on middle and off, Joe Root defends this off his back foot.

Back of a length, around off, Harry Brook plays this late and guides this to the right of the keeper for a single.

Pitched-up delivery, around off, Joe Root punches this to the right of the mid off fielder for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Harry Brook cuts this off his back foot to the left of point but the fielder dives to his left and keeps it down to a dot.

Too full, around off, Harry Brook defends this to the off side.

Short of a length, around off, Harry Brook cuts this to deep point for a couple.

Floated around off, Harry Brook blocks it out.

Fuller around off, Joe Root drives this through the extra cover region for a single.

Full and on the pads, Joe Root tickles this to the short fine leg fielder for no run.

Root will keep peppering this area of the field for the entire game. Short and around off, Joe Root guides this behind square on off for one.

Good length, around off, Joe Root blocks this off his back foot.

Chameera goes a touch too straight and bowls this on a length around the pads, Harry Brook flicks this to the fine leg region for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Joe Root rocks back and just guides this through the third man region for a single.

Short and wide of off, Joe Root rocks back and looks to cut this through the off-side but misses out.

Back of a length, around off, Harry Brook dabs this through point for a single.

Under-cutter, around off, Joe Root punches this to covers for a dot.

Darted on middle and off, Joe Root punches this to the right of the bowler for no run.

Too full, on middle nd off, Harry Brook goes deep inside the crease and punches this in the gap for one.

FOUR! Slog-swept in the gap for four runs. Tossed up, around middle and off, Harry Brook goes down on aone knee and slog sweeps this in the gap towards the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Fired around the pads, Harry Brook nudges this through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Short of a length, around off, Joe Root punches this off his back foot to sweeper cover for a single.

Slider, on middle and leg, Harry Brook punches this back to the bowler.

Fuller around middle and leg, Harry Brook flicks this through the mid-wicket region and hustles back for the second.

Floated on the pads, Harry Brook gets it clipped off his pads to the short fine leg fielder for no run.

Pushed through on off, Harry Brook pushes this to extra cover for no run.

Too full, on off, Harry Brook keeps it out on the off side.

Sachindu is creating trouble for the home side. Fuller on off, Harry Brook goes for a flick but gets a leading edge that rolls to point.

DRINKS! Time for a breather, and while England's run rate is over 6 runs an over, they have lost two wickets. The pitch seems conducive to spin, and Sri Lanka will be looking to keep on picking up wickets throughout the middle phase. The partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook could be vital for the hosts if they are to set a big total on the board. A high-scoring encounter isn't expected given the nature of the surface, and it will deteriorate as the game goes on, bringing the slower bowlers more and more into play.

Fired around off, Joe Root plays this late and guides this through the short third region for a brace to end the over.

Pushed through on off, Harry Brook defends it out around off for a single.

FOUR! Brook finds the gap for four runs. Short of a length, around off, Harry Brook rocks onto his back foot and cuts this past the right of th backward point fielder for a boundary.

Quicker one, around middle and off, Joe Root finds the fielder at extra cover.

Too full, around off, Joe Root defends this to extra cover.

Fuller around off, Joe Root jams it out.

Tossed up, wide of off, Joe Root gets onto his back foot and punches this through covers for one run.

Quicker one, onto middle and leg, Harry Brook gets deep inside his crease and works this through square leg for one run.

Slider, on the pads, Joe Root flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Sachindu bowls a beauty to beat Joe Root for the good and a loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Wrong'un, around middle and off, Joe Root fails to read it and gets beaten on the inside as he gets hit on his front pad. A loud appeal but the umpire shrugs it down. Sri Lanka opts for DRS this time. Two reds and a green with the ball missing the leg-stump on the Ball Tracking confirms the on-field decision.

Another one, floated onto the pads, Harry Brook goes deep inside the crease and milks this to the right of the fielder at square leg for a single.

Floated onto the pads, Harry Brook pushes this back to the bowler.

Kusal Mendis has now tossed the ball to debutant Sachindu Colombage, who is ready to bowl his leg spin.

Short of a length, on off, Harry Brook rocks back and punches this through the covers region for a single.

England's skipper Harry Brook walks out to bat next. There's a slip in place for the new batter as well.

OUT! LBW! Dunith gets success in his first over of the spell. Tossed-up delivery, around off, Ben Duckett takes giant strides across the stumps and goes for the conventional sweep. Misses with the bat of glove and gets hit on the front pad. A loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Ben Duckett opts for DRS. Nothing on the UltraEdge. Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the middle stump. Ben probably thought that he had stepped a long way across but it wasn't to be.

Quicker one, on off, Joe Root gets it away through the covers region for a single.

Fuller around the pads, Ben Duckett tucks this through square leg for one run. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Tossed up fuller now, around off. Root eases it past covers for a single.

A bit of grip straightaway for Dunith. Floated up around off, Root watches it well and pushes it into the off side.

Done with Powerplay 1. Sri Lanka will now be allowed as many as 4 fielders outside the inner ring till 40 overs. Here's Dunith Wellalage to bowl his left-arm spin now.

FOUR! 13 off the over and England are starting to move along at a brisk pace here. Length ball around the pads, clipped away aerially and in front of square leg for a boundary.

Hard length over middle, turned away to the right of square leg for a single.

FOUR! That's scrumptious from Root. Length ball outside off, Root takes a couple of strides forward and the ball slides right onto the middle of his bat, and this is punched through extra cover for another boundary.

Pitched up a bit, around off, and hitting the deck hard. Root stays solid in defence.

Good length, wide of the off stump. Root stays back and plays it late, opening the bat face and dabbing it down to point.

FOUR! A switch of ends for Asitha, and it's not an ideal start for him. Full and wide outside off, a hint of away movement but Root leans across and creams it through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over, and the 50 IS UP FOR ENGLAND. Too straight again, fairly full as well, and Duckett just wrists it away past mid-wicket for four more runs.

Good backing up by the Lankans. Good length on middle, sliding back in. Root swivels on his toes to get inside the line and tucks it to deep square leg for one. The throw at the keeper's end is wide, but the cover fielder does well to mop it up.

Chameera hits the deck hard, angling it in towards off and middle. Root stays back a bit and taps it onto the leg side.

That's the line Chameera needs to stick to. Good length, just outside off, Root gets forward to defend.

FOUR! That's bread and butter for Root. Chameera looks to attack the front pad, angling it in, but Root pounces on it and clips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good start from Chameera. He pitches the ball fuller around off, just getting it to nip away. Joe Root is late on the drive, and skews it away to cover.

Dug in shorter this time, waist height. Duckett picks it up and pulls it uppishly behind square leg, picking up a couple of runs. England are 42/1 after 8 overs.

Fullish length, on middle and leg. Duckett gets across and nearly falls over as he flicks it away to short mid-wicket. Had Duckett missed, he would have been a candidate for LBW.

That's well bowled. Madushanka holds a good length, pushing it outside off. Duckett has a nibble at it but the ball seams away late and goes through to the keeper.

Good length, attacking the top of the stumps, Duckett watchfully defends.

Nagging length, in and around off. Root edges it down with soft hands past the slip fielder and down to deep third for a single.

Back-to-back threes for Duckett. On the pads, Duckett hops back and tucks it away past square leg. The fielder from fine leg runs around to his right and dives to keep the ball in play.

Length ball, wide of the off stump. Duckett threads it through covers, doesn't time it perfectly but enough to pick up three runs.

Oh, that nearly carried to the fielder. Good length on leg, holds in the deck a bit. Duckett looks to flick but hits it uppishly and in front of Dunith Wellalage at square leg. The fielder lunges forward and parries it away behind. The batters then look for a quick single but the fielder at backward square leg quickly picks it up and the batters scurry back.

Back of a length, darted across the left-hander. Duckett hangs back and smacks it straight to point.

FOUR! Easy pickings. A half-volley on middle and leg, Duckett shovels it away between mid-wicket and mid on, picking up yet another boundary.

Rashid ruled out - Just in, Adil Rashid has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to an issue with his right hand. That opens the door for Rehan Ahmed, who is already in the XI for this game, to get an extended run in the series. The youngster now has an opportunity to take on a bigger role with England's spin attack.

Back of a length, on the pads, Duckett tucks it to square leg.

FOUR! Slammed away to the fence. Fractionally short and wide outside off. Ben Duckett goes chasing after it and hits it in front of point for a boundary.

FOUR! That's classic Root. Full of a length, on middle, trying to angle it away. Root gets forward and clips it well in front of mid-wicket for a boundary. Root also makes it 23,000 international runs, the 8th male player to achieve the feat.

Length again, in and around off, Joe Root hangs back and pushes it out on the off side.

Madushanka drags the length back a touch, pitching it around leg. Root hops back to play at it but the ball nips it a bit and bats the inside edge, hitting him high on the pads.

Very full and pushed across the right-hander. Root leans on and drives it off the toe end of the blade to covers.

And again! On the pads, pushed off the legs to the left of mid-wicket. The fielder dives and makes a half stop, keeping it down to a single.

Excellent fielding again. Good length in the channel, cut away to the right of the point fielder, who lunges across and makes a fine stop.

A bit fuller now and on off. Joe Root gets across and flicks it firmly but straight to mid-wicket. The fielder scores a direct hit at the keeper's end but Root has his bat down in time.

Good length, straighter at the stumps. Root moves inside the line and clips it to the left of deep backward square leg for a couple of easy runs.

Pitched up a bit, just outside off. Root gets a stride across to the off side and punches it to cover.

On middle and leg, Duckett waits back before using the wrists to work it down to deep backward square leg for one.

Back of a length, in and around off. Duckett takes a step across to the off side, and chops it down to short third.

Perfect length, in that corridor of uncertainty just outside the line of off stump. Duckett solidly blocks it off.

Kamindu Mendis is down in some pain. He got hit on his right knee. Kamindu is good to continue, as it was just the impact of the hit.

The ball keeps a bit low again. Good length, just angling across off. Root goes on the back foot and has to jam his bat down, edging it down to gully. Also, it seems like Kamindu Mendis, who made the stop over there, might have hurt himself. Hopefully, he's fine.

Fuller in length and well wide of the off stump, slanting across. Root presses back and leaves it lone.

On middle, Duckett watchfully dabs it across to mid-wicket and scampers across for the single.

This one goes on with the arm. Pitched fuller on the pads, looking for the big outswinger but the ball slides on. Duckett misses the flick and gets hit on the outside part of the front pad.

That's loose from Duckett. Fuller in length, a bit wide of the off stump and shaping away. Duckett throws his hands at it and is beaten past the outside edge.

Good-length delivery, in and around off. Duckett gets halfway frward and blocks it right under the eyes.

Wisely sent back by Duckett. Good length on middle, Joe Root taps it down to the left of short mid-wicket and looks for a quick single but has to get back into his crease. End of a successful over for Asitha Fernando.

Joe Root is in at 3 for the home side.

OUT! TIMBER! Absolutely unplayable! Asitha Fernando pitches the ball on a good length and angles it back in towards the stumps. The ball lands and straightens a bit, squaring up Tom Banton completely. The ball then just deviates enough to beat the outside edge and hit the top of the off stump. Not much Banton can do about that and England are 16/1.

Ooh, some hold in the deck and that nearly chipped back to the bowler. Asitha hits a heavy length, angling it into the batter. Banton is a bit taken back and jars at it with hard hands.

Hammered in on a good length, around off. Banton blocks it off the back foot.

FOUR! Again, a boundary early in the over, but this time it's more due to poor fielding. On the hips, tucked down to the left of deep backward square leg. The fielder runs around and is a bit lazy to get down and lets it slip through the fingers for a boundary.

Fernando drags the length shorter and hits the deck hard, bowling it over middle. Banton presses back to defend.

Full of a good length, slightly outside off and shaping away. Duckett lets it through to the keeper.

A bit of yes and no, but the batters eventually cross over. Good length in the channel, stabbed down to the left of cover. The fielder over there dives across and the parries the ball away from himself, allowing Banton to pick up a single.

Hammered in on a length, attacking the pads. Banton stays upright and tucks it off the hips to square leg.

Nagging length, in and around off, shaping back in. Banton tentatively jabs it back down the pitch.

Much better line. Nice and full, on the fourth stump line and just shapes back in a touch at 135 clicks. Banton makes an assured leave, but it was fairly close to the off pole.

WIDE! There's swing on offer again, but the starting line is wrong. Full and slipped down the leg side for another wide. 6 runs off one legal delivery in this over so far.

FOUR! Oh, that really pinged off the blade. On middle and leg, angling in. Banton clips it uppishly but well to the right of the mid-wicket fielder and the ball races to the fence.

WIDE! A false start for Madushanka. Fullish length, starts on leg stump and swings down the leg side.

Dilshan Madushanka will be bowling from the other end.

Play and a miss. Hard length, slanted across off. Duckett goes to cut but misses, and the ball barely carries through to the keeper. The pitch looks very dry and doesn't seem to have much pace in it.

Full-pitched delivery on off, at 131 kph. Duckett drills the drive but straight to extr cover.

FOUR! Off the mark in style. An inswinging full toss on the pads, Duckett clips it away in between mid-wicket and mid on for the first boundary of the game.

Good length again, on a tighter line around the top of off. Ben Duckett plays it late, chopping it down towards gully.

Banton and England are off the mark. Fuller and swinging away from off stump. Banton goes for the cover drive, but miscues it across to wide mid on for a single.

Good-length delivery to begin with, wide of the off stump and gently moving away. Tom Banton leaves it alone.

We are all set for the game to begin! The two umpires are out in the middle, and it's a sunny day as well. The Sri Lankan players take their places on the field, and it will be the duo of Ben Duckett and Tom Banton to open the innings for England - their 6th different opening combination in the last 17 matches. Asitha Fernando will kick things off with the new ball. Let's play...

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage (On debut), Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka.

England (Playing XI) - Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue.

TOSS - The coin flip lands in favour of England. They will BAT first.

Sri Lanka aim to bounce back - It was an abysmal T20I series, especially with the bat, and the Lankans will hope that the longer format brings more stability. Pathum Nissanka will be vital as usual, but those around him need to show more consistency as well. They do have plenty of individual talent, but an all-round performance is what they are lacking at the moment. The toss might play an important role as usual, and it's coming up in a few minutes. So, stay tuned for the toss and the team sheets as well.

England start as favorites - Before we talk about England's setup for this ODI series, we would like to inform you that pacer Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket. The quick sensation had been a mainstay of England's red-ball setup and also featured in key white-ball matches, but injury concerns did take a toll on his body. We wish him the best for life beyond cricket. Right, let's now get back to the game at hand. England were the most disappointing side in the last ODI World Cup, but conditions in Africa will suit their playing style more. Harry Brook will be eager to take England back to the glory days of 2019, beginning with a win here. What's more is that Tom Banton is set to open alongside Ben Duckett, and it will be interesting to see how that pairing fares up top for the hosts.

Road to the World Cup - Hello, and a warm welcome to one and all. After a one-sided T20I series, England go up against Sri Lanka in the ODIs now. The first of three encounters is about to get underway at Chester-le-Street in the county of Durham. The ODI is almost exactly a year away from the mega event and the two teams will use this series as an opportunity to lay down the foundation of that squad 

... MATCH DAY ...

A brand new canvas in the north - White-ball cricket heads north to Chester-le-Street as England and Sri Lanka switch formats for the first of three ODIs at Riverside. The hosts arrive riding an overwhelming wave of confidence after completing a comprehensive 3-0 sweep in the T20 leg, dismantling the visitors across Southampton, Cardiff, and Manchester. But 50-over cricket is a different beast entirely. It demands patience and discipline to build innings over hours rather than minutes. For England, this is an opportunity to translate their electric short-format momentum into the longer white-ball game. For Sri Lanka, it is an essential chance to salvage pride, reset their thinking, and prove their mettle before the tour slips away completely. Memory of Colombo and a scoresheet to settle - While the T20 series was largely one-way traffic, Sri Lanka can draw genuine belief from the last time these two sides met in ODIs back in January 2026. In that series in Colombo, Sri Lanka punched first with a gritty 19-run win in the opener riding on Dunith Wellalage's all-round heroics, before England rallied to claim the rubber 2-1. That battle proved that when the pace of the game slows down, Sri Lanka possess the craft to push England into uncomfortable corners. Replicating that fight on a chilly September afternoon in County Durham, however, is a world away from the familiar heat and turn of Premadasa. Charith Asalanka and his men know they must adapt immediately to cold conditions or risk falling behind from game one. The Root anchor and middle-order fireworks - England’s ODI lineup welcomes back its steadying heartbeat in Joe Root, whose presence transforms the entire rhythm of the batting unit. In a format where England have sometimes been guilty of over-accelerating, Root provides the classic anchor, allowing aggressive stroke-makers to operate with freedom around him. Harry Brook has been in sparkling touch throughout the month, headlined by a blistering century in Southampton, while Jos Buttler looked back to his destructive best during his match-winning fifty at Old Trafford. Supported by Ben Duckett at the top and Will Jacks in the middle, England have an engine room capable of either rebuilding calmly from trouble or powering the side beyond 350. Searching for spine and top-order grit - Sri Lanka’s most urgent headache on this tour has been the lack of batting resilience under pressure. Soft dismissals plagued their T20 outings, where they folded meekly for 135 in Southampton and 124 in Manchester. The transition to ODIs offers a welcome buffer of time for openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara to leave well, settle in, and construct a platform. Kusal Mendis, who was brutal in his previous completed ODI against West Indies, remains the linchpin alongside skipper Asalanka. If Sri Lanka are to push the hosts close, Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage will need to supply sustained resistance through the middle overs to prevent their lower order from being blown away. Pace battery against the spin web - The bowling clash presents a stark contrast in styles. England hold all the aces when it comes to outright pace and seam movement. Jofra Archer looked sharp and menacing with the new ball throughout the T20s, while Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue offer heavy, awkward bounce tailor-made for northern English surfaces. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka lean heavily on their slow-bowling trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, and Maheesh Theekshana to choke runs and manufacture mistakes. Yet for those spinners to have any meaningful say, seamers Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka must strike with the new ball and derail England’s top order before they can dictate terms. Team form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - ENG - WWWWW | SL - WLLWL. What to expect at Riverside? The Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street sits openly along the River Wear, where late September weather almost always brings a brisk chill and plenty of assistance for fast bowlers. The fresh white ball should find substantial swing and nip off the pitch during the initial powerplay, making the opening overs a thorough examination of technique for top-order batters. As the ball gets older, the true bounce makes run-scoring easier, though the expansive square boundaries mean running between wickets is just as crucial as hitting boundaries. Overcast skies and a breezy afternoon will likely tempt whoever wins the toss to bowl first and unleash their seam attack on a lively surface.