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

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Done and dusted. Jamie Overton couldn't do it all. There was still that vaguest of a chance for him to keep striking. Overton gets a juicy full toss around the off stump. He backs away, creates room for himself, and tries to hit it hard over cover, but loses his shape in the process and slices it high into the air. The extra cover fielder, Dunith Wellalage, backtracks a bit, judges the trajectory nicely and takes the catch easily. Overton is going nowhere and looks at the leg umpire for a possible No Ball. It is sent upstairs for a check. The third umpire checks and confirms that it is a fair ball, way below the waist height. SRI LANKA WIN BY 19 RUNS AND TAKE THE LEAD BY 1-0!

Gets away with it, does Pramod. A low full toss, straight outside off, Jamie drills it down to long off for a single.

Phew! 6 balls left, England need 20 runs. Remember, Sri Lanka scored 23 off the final over. And if you believe in the circle of life, it was Jamie Overton who bowled the last over. And now, he is on strike. Can he do the job with the bat? Pramod Madushan to bowl and wrap up.

Takes the single off the final ball. Full toss on the pads, this is flicked off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Gets it through the gap! Jamie Overton has single-handedly kept the hopes alive for his team. A fraction fuller, on the leg stump line. Jamie Overton whips it off the pads, brings the bottom hand in play and places it perfectly between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 250 COMES UP FOR ENGLAND!

SIX! CLUBBED PERFECTLY! He has picked the bones out of it. Quite literally. Asitha goes pace on and into the pitch, on middle. Sits up nicely for the batter. Overton clears the front leg and massively pulls it behind deep square leg for an enormous six. 25 needed off 8 balls.

Takes pace off again, on a good length outside off. Jamie Overton waits back and muscles it over mid on. It goes on the bounce towards the long on fielder. Overton denies the single. Understandably so.

IN THE AIR... LANDS SAFE! Short and slow from Fernando, into the pitch, on top of off, Jamie Overton mistimes the pull shot off the top edge. The ball gets skied up and hangs for an eternity. Long on fielder runs in off the ropes, but it lands just short in front of him. Two taken.

WIDE! Oh dear! Kilometers outside the guideline, a leg cutter, on a good length. Overton lets it be.

Uses the wider angle, and bowls a pace-off on a length, outside off. Jamie tries to hoick across the line, but gets deceived by the lack of pace and inside edges onto the pads.

England need 34 off 12 balls now. It is all about the muscle power and how close the tourists can get. Asitha Fernando to bowl the 49th. 7-1-50-1 so far.

On a back of a length, on top of off, Adil gets behind the line and nonchalantly bunts it back to the bowler.

Big swing and a miss! Slower ball, back of the hand, on a length, outside off, Adil Rashid covers the stumps, tries to slash it through the off side, but fails to connect.

WIDE! Misses his radar completely. Slow and wide, miles outside the tramline on the off side. Adil ignores. Wide called.

A leg cutter, full and around off, Jamie waits for it to arrive and flat bats it down the ground. It is cut off by the long on fielder to his left. Just a single.

FOUR! STAND AND DELIVER! Overpitched delivery, outside off, Jamie Overton reads the pace off well and slams it mercilessly over cover for a cracking boundary!

WIDE! Notices Jamie shuffling outside off, Pramod fires one way beyond the tramline on the off side, on a good length. Overton leaves. Wide called.

FOUR! The flame is flickering for England, but Overton has kept it alive. Much fuller, misses the yorker by a yard or so, does Pramod. Jamie gets his bat underneath it nicely and slices it over backward point, and beats deep third to his right for a boundary. 41 needed off 16!

Wide yorker, Jamie is forced to reach it and squeeze it out, but gets a thick inside edge. The ball bounces back to the keeper.

Last 3 overs coming up. England need 45 runs. Sri Lanka are just one good ball away. Pramod Madushan (4-0-28-2) to continue.

Wide outside off, on a good length, Jamie stands tall and slaps it hard wide of cover for a single to retain the strike.

SIX! THAT'S HUGE! A sensational hit from the tall man. Asitha slips in a full toss, at thigh height, Jamie Overton clears the front leg and nails the pull shot to perfection, parking the ball behind the deep mid-wicket fence for a huge six.

Cannons it full and on the pads, Adil Rashid misses the flick and the ball deflects off the front pad to short fine leg. They get a leg bye.

Stays low on the bounce on a good length, on middle. Adil Rashid tries to pull it hard, but inside edges onto the pads, getting deceived by the lack of bounce and pace.

WIDE! A bit too straight down leg, on a good length. Adil Rashid shapes up to help it over fine leg, but misses.

Spears in a full ball, on the leg stump line, Jamie whips it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! BLAZED AWAY! Back-of-the-hand slower ball, full and around off, Jamie Overton waits and waits and waits for the ball to arrive and ruthlessly slaps it through the cover and mid off for a boundary.

Full and outside off, Adil Rashid drives it straight to cover.

Nails the yorker in, on off, Adil squeezes it out to point.

Adil Rashid is the last man in for England.

OUT! TAKEN! Double whammy for Pramod Madushan. He angles it across the batter, on a good length. Liam Dawson throws kitchen sink at it, trying to slash it away through point, but fails to keep it along the ground and ends up hitting it flat to backward point. The ball dips low to the left of Dhananjaya de Silva stationed there, but he is alert to the situation. He does well to dive low and scoop the ball before the grass. England are 213/9.

Slower ball on the stumps, Dawson skips down the track and flicks it through vacant mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

And with that, the hopes of England are dashed off. Liam Dawson walks in at number 10.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! You miss, I hit, says Pramod. That might be the game for Sri Lanka. A slower one, full and straight, angling across from the leg stump line. Buttler clears the front leg and swings hard for a big leg side hoick, but he’s miles off the line. The ball sneaks through and crashes into the stumps. Jos Buttler departs on 19 (20) and England's slide continues. They are 211/8, needing another 61 runs.

SIX! KABOOM! Buttler finally gets the timing right this time. A slingy delivery, full and on leg, Jos Buttler hops down the crease and tonks it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a cracking six. 61 runs needed from 29 balls.

WIDE! Almost an action-replay of the previous ball. Way down leg, full, he misses the flick.

WIDE! Down leg, full in length, Buttler skips down the track but misses the flick. Wide called.

A touch full, outside off, carved out to cover by Jamie.

Jamie Overton is in at number 9.

OUT! CAUGHT! Outstanding effort from Dunith Wellalage. Full outside off, Ahmed looks to go inside out and gets it high in the air. It nearly has the legs to go all the way, but Wellalage at long off judges it superbly. He takes the catch right on the edge, lobs it back in before running over the rope, steps back onto the field and completes a brilliant relay catch. The third umpire is brought into action and after checking a couple of angles, it is deemed that Dunith has just done well enough not come in contact with the ropes. 27 (21) for Rehan Ahmed and England are 203/7.

Drag-downer, on off, Buttler advances down the track and miscues his pull shot to deep square leg for a single.

Goes straight on, length ball, on off, Jos Buttler looks to smash it down the ground, but misses to connect.

Dropped fuller, on middle and leg, Buttler mistimes his pull shot between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

Full and flat, outside off. Jos Buttler tries the reverse sweep, but misses and the ball rams into his bicep.

FOUR! Wonderful stroke! Make that a Hat Trick of boundaries. Fernando goes fuller, around off and middle. Rehan creates room for himself by backing away and lofts it over the point fielder to find the fence. 16 runs off the over. 200 UP FOR ENGLAND!

FOUR! Back-to-back fours for Rehan! Another friendly full toss by Asitha, on middle, Rehan Ahmed backs away, heaves it off the inner half of the bat, but still, he manages to bisect the long on and deep mid-wicket fielders for a boundary.

FOUR! Loose delivery and gets the treatment! Tries the yorker again but slips in a full toss, on leg, Rehan Ahmed exposes the stumps and slices it over cover-point for a boundary! 80 needed off 38 balls.

Too good from Asitha! Yorker on the legs, Buttler gets nutmegged and squeezes the ball through backward square leg for a single.

Attempts the yorker, on off, Ahmed backs away, opens the bat face and carves it to the right of short third for a single.

Full and on middle, speared in aimed at the sticks. Jos reverse sweeps it on the bounce to short third and hustles through for a quick single. Uh, oh! A No Ball signalled as Asitha has overstepped. FREE HIT coming up...

Spotting Buttler advancing down the track, Asitha nails the yorker from around the stump. Jos can only dig it back at the bowler.

Change of pace as Asitha Fernando (5-0-21-1) returns into the attack. England need 88 runs from 42 balls.

Excellent over! This one stays low on the bounce, outside off, Ahmed tries to cut it square off the back foot, but misses as the ball sneaks below the inside edge.

Length ball, on the stumps, skidding on. Ahmed stays back to cut but only manages a bottom edge, and the ball trickles back to the bowler.

BEATEN! Pitched on middle, it grips and spins square, across the batter, and beats Rehan's attempted slog sweep.

Short again, outside off, Rehan knocks it away, but finds cover.

Short, outside off, Buttler rocks back and punches it wide of cover for a single.

Flat and full, outside off, smashed down to long off for a single.

Fullish outside off, Ahmed looks to punch through the off side but gets an inside edge, and the ball trickles into the mid-wicket region for a single.

FOUR! Rehan on the counterattack! Short on middle. Ahmed backs away, creates room and flat bats it over the bowler for a boundary. 11 runs already from the over.

Short, on off, Buttler hangs deep in the crease and steers it to deep cover for a single.

Pitched full, on leg, driven down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Breaks the shackles! Pitched fuller, on off, Rehan lofts it inside out over cover for a cracking boundary. England need 98 from 52 balls!

Short and around off, Buttler punches it down to long off for a single.

Full, around middle and leg, Jos looks to swing it across the line, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies away toward fine leg and gets a single.

Fuller length on the stumps and Buttler shuffles across for the reverse sweep, but fails to connect and is struck on the pads. It looks a touch high in real time and Rod Tucker shakes his head to the appeal. Asalanka opts for the review. It is a fair delivery, no bat involved, but the ball is turning too much and going past off. Ball tracking comes up and shows that the impact is umpire's call and the ball is projected to miss the off stump. Sri Lanka lose a review.

Short, outside off, Rehan Ahmed cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Googly, short of a length on middle and leg. Rehan makes room for himself and looks to slap it away, but gets the inside edge, and the ball bounces back to the bowler.

Peach of a delivery! Pitches it fuller, just outside off and turns it away. Rehan Ahmed prods and looks to defend on his front foot, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Full, outside off, Rehan gets on his front foot and defends it away.

Short, outside off, Rehan punches it a bit upishly toward deep cover and gets a single.

Short, on middle, Jos punches it to long off for a single.

Short, on off, Rehan punches it off the back foot to cover for one.

Full, on off, Rehan defends it away.

The chase has badly nosedived for England. From 129/1, they have slid down to 165/6. Rehan Ahmed walks in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The wickets are tumbling badly for England and the Lankans are all pumped up. Short and spinning back sharply from outside off. Curran rocks back and looks to slap it straight down the ground, but the bat twists in his hands and he ends up chipping it straight back to Wellalage. He reacts brilliantly to take a sharp, low return catch. The TV umpire is called in to check for fairness and confirms it is clean. Curran has to walk.

A touch fuller, outside off, Sam crouches a bit low and cuts it through cover-point for a couple of runs.

Short, on leg, Sam pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Shortish, outside off, Sam punches it from his back foot to cover.

Short, on off, Sam pushes it to cover.

Fuller, on off, Jos flicks it from his back foot to mid-wicket for one.

Fuller, on middle, Sam flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on off, Sam fends it to cover.

Full, outside off, Jos drives it to mid off.

Short, outside off, Sam punches it to long on for a single.

Short, on off, Curran dabs it to cover.

OUT! STUMPED! Yet another stumping and Sri Lanka strike again. It is going all wrong for England now. Over the wicket, it’s tossed up full and dragged wide outside off. Bethell dances out looking to play it into the leg side, but the ball is nowhere near the bat. Kusal Mendis does the rest, calmly whipping the bails off for the simplest of dismissals. Sam Curran is in at number 7.

Full, on off, Jos flicks it to square leg for a single.

Full, around off, Buttler defends it down.

Short, around off, Jacob fends it away.

Full, on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to cover for a single.

OUT! STUMPED! Exceptional bowling from the Sri Lankan skipper. Asalanka reads Brook’s intent early and pulls the length back sharply, firing it in straight around the leg stump line. Brook misses it completely, Mendis is lightning quick behind the stumps and whips the bails off in a flash. Brook tries to turn and drag his bat back in, but it’s too late. Replays confirm it and OUT lights up on the big screen. It’s a wide as well.

The slide continues for England. Sri Lanka are right on top now. With 116 runs more needed, in 79 balls, in comes Jos Buttler at number 6.

IS BROOK STUMPED? Going by his body language, it does look like he is. And the side-on replay confirms the same. His bat is fairly out of the crease when Kusal Mendis breaks the stumps.

Short, just outside off, turning in, Brook defends it to the off side.

Fuller, on off, Brook comes down the track and blocks it down.

Flighted, fuller, just outside off, Bethell attempts to send it downtown, but gets the connection from the toe end of his bat. The ball loops and drops much short of the long off fielder. Single taken.

Full-length delivery, on middle, turning in. Brook goes deep into his crease and tucks it to square leg for one.

Charith Asalanka (5-0-26-0) returns into the attack, replacing Dhananjaya de Silva.

Fullish, outside off, Jacob eases it to short extra cover for no runs.

Full, on middle and leg, Harry tuks it to deep suqare leg for a comfortable single.

Fullish, around off, Brook leans on the delivery and defends it down.

Short around off, Harry Brook fends it to cover.

Pitches it up, does Dunith. Outside off, Jacob skips down the track and tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

A tad shorter, on middle, Harry Brook rocks back and flicks it to short fine leg for a single.

Fuller, with some flight, outside off, Jacob leans on the delivery and pushes it to short extra cover.

Short, outside off, Jacob drives it to extra cover.

FOUR! HAMMERED AWAY! Too short and straight on a middle stump line. Bethell goes deep in the crease and unleashes a flat pull. It hangs in the air for a while but lands safely in the gap in front of square, beating Nissanka who sprints to his left from deep mid-wicket. 150 COMES UP FOR ENGLAND!

Full, on off, Jacob drives it gently to cover.

Tossed up, fuller, on off, Harry comes down the track and drives it to long on for a single.

Fuller, on off, Harry tucks it to mid-wicket.

DRINKS BREAK! Sri Lanka have fought their way back into the game with timely strikes, removing both set batters Duckett and Root in quick succession. England have slipped from 129/1 to 144/3, with two new men at the crease. This is an ideal window for the hosts to apply the squeeze and hunt for a couple more wickets, while England will be banking on Brook and Bethell to steady the chase, arrest the slide, and see the job through. 126 needed from 96. Not at all difficult in modern-day cricket. But quick wickets can make that look like a tall mountain to climb. Dhananjaya de Silva (7-0-17-1) to continue.

Full, around off, Jacob pushes it to cover.

Full and outside off, Bethell steps out of the crease and yorks himself. he jams it back to the bowler.

Full, on off, Jacob pushes it to cover.

Full, outside off, Jacob Bethell tucks it to mid-wicket.

Some turn off the track now! Short and turning sharply in from outside off. Bethell stays back, plays at it off the back foot and gets a bottom edge back onto his pads.

Short, around off, Brook punches it toward wide long off for a single.

A touch shorter, on leg, Brook flicks it to square leg for a single. End of an exceptional over from Dhananjaya de Silva, picking a wicket of Joe Root and giving only a single!

Full, on middle, Brook leans on the delivery and defends it down.

A huge, huge moment in the game. With the wicket of Joe Root and two relatively new batters at the crease, they would try to put on the squeeze. Harry Brook walks in at number 5.

OUT! LBW! Sri Lanka finally manage to dismiss Root. The round the wicket angle does the trick for Dhananjaya de Silva. He gives it plenty of air, lands it right in line with the stumps and beats Root on the sweep and is rapped on the pads. There's a huge appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head in denial. However, after a long discusion Sri Lanka opt for the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat involvement and the Ball tracking pops up three reds with the ball projected to hit the top of the middle and leg stumps. The on-field decision has been changed to OUT. Joe Root has to depart, scoring a strong 61 off 90 balls and England are 144 for 3 now.

Fuller, around leg, Joe flicks it to short fine leg.

Short, on leg, Root misses his flick and wears on his front pad.

Full, middle, Root drives it to short mid-wicket.

Full, on off, Jacob defends it down.

Full and outside off, Bethell notices mid off inside the ring and charges down the track. He gets to the pitch but toe ends the lofted shot, just managing to clear the backtracking fielder, and it drops safely for a couple, as Nissanka sprints and flicks the ball in before the ropes to save two for his side.

Short, around off, Jacob leaves it alone to the keeper.

Full, on leg, Root clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Risky single! Full on off stump, eased with soft hands into the extra cover region for a quick single. Nissanka charges in, dives, but cannot release the ball in time.

Tossed up, just outside off, Root lunges and drives to long off for a single.

Short, on leg, Root nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A touch fuller, just outside off, Jacob punches it from his backfoot to the left of the mid off fielder for single.

Full, on middle, Joe sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Fuller, just outside the leg stump, Root misses his flick and the ball pings on his pad.

Fuller, just outside off, Bethell hangs on his back foot and steers it to the left of the backward point fielder for a single.

Fuller, just outside off, Bethell rocks back and slaps it to cover.

After 30 overs, England are 135/2. At the same stage, Sri Lanka were 143/4. England managed to score 45 runs in that 21-30 over phase. They need 137 runs from 120 balls.

Sharply spins in from off, on a length, Jacob gets back and across in the crease and punches it down to long on for a single.

A leg break, short and outside off, Jacob rocks back and knocks it to short cover.

Draws the front foot forward and forces the full ball to extra cover.

Nice and full, pushed through, on off, blocked off.

Full and wide outside off, Jacob is sucked into the front foot drive, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker.

Much fuller, on middle, drilled back to the bowler.

WIDE! Spins sharply down leg, on a fuller length. Left alone by Bethell.

Shortens the length a bit, sliding onto the pads, Bethell hangs deep in the crease and tucks it to the left of mid on for a single.

Flat and full, on off, Bethell presents full face and drives it straight to cover.

Full on middle, Root clips it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

An arm ball, from around the stump, across off. Joe goes back into the crease and blocks it to the off side.

On a length, around off, punched away to long off for a single.

Halt. It looks like one of the zinger bails have broken or malfunctioned. Rod Tucker, the on-field umpire, asks for a replacement. All set to continue.

Arm ball, full and on off, Jacob prods forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

Touch short, outside off, spinning away. Joe hangs back and glides it to short third. An excellent over from Vandersay.

BEAUTY! Prodigious turn on a fuller length, spins square and beats Root's attempted front foot drive to the off side. Kusal Mendis collects the ball and whips the bails off, but Root's feet never left the crease.

Skiddy delivery, in front of middle, on a length. Root backs away, plays it late and manages to keep it out to cover.

Too full, on off, Bethell drills it through wide mid on for a single and gets off the mark.

Full and tossed up nicely, on off, Jacob Bethell leans on and smothers the spin.

Out walks Duckett and in walks another southpaw. Jacob Bethell is in at number 4.

OUT! LBW! A wicket against the run of play for Sri Lanka, and Vandersay does that job for the hosts. Dishes out a leg break, fractionally fuller, on the leg stump line and it spins back in. Ben Duckett tries to reverse sweep it to the off side, but misses and wears it on the back thigh pad. A huge appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger. The Lankans are up as one but Duckett goes upstairs for a review straightaway. Duckett sees one of the replays and starts to walk off. UltraEdge comes up, shows a flat line. Ball Tracking confirms that the ball has pitched on the leg stump line, and is projected to smash the leg stump. The on-field decision is upheld. England lose a review. Ben Duckett departs after a brilliant 62 (76) and England are 129/2, needing 143 more.

Change again. Jeffrey Vandersay (4-0-24-0) is back on.

FOUR! Through the gap! The maestro continues to pile on the runs. Pitched short, on middle, Joe Root waits for the ball to arrive and pulls it to the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Excellent stop! The Lankans may not have got the wickets, but they have been spot on with their ground fielding so far. On a back of a length, outside off, Root rides the bounce and cuts it to backward point, where Pavan Rathnayake dives to his right and makes a sharp stop.

Slower ball, on a length, around middle and leg, Duckett works it gently down to long on for a single.

On a nagging length, on middle, Duckett stands tall, flat bats it off the inner half, as the ball rolls back to the bowler.

Short of a good length, on middle, Root tucks it through widish mid-wicket for a single.

Over the wicket, short of a length outside leg stump. Ben tucks it off the pads to the right of deep mid-wicket. Nissanka gets across in time and cuts it off before the ropes, and the batters pick up three runs.

Time for pace again. Asitha Fernando (4-1-12-1) is back on. He replaces Jeffrey Vandersay.

Short, outside off, Ben Duckett backs away to create room and cuts it to deep point for an easy single.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Targets the part-timer with conviction. Duckett shimmies down the track and hoists the full ball downtown for a massive six.

Outside off, tossed up on a fuller length, driven hard off the front foot to cover.

Into the blockhole, around off, carved away to short cover.

Full and down leg, swept to deep backward square leg for a single.

Around middle and leg, Duckett clips the full ball through mid-wicket for a single. The 100-run partnership comes up between the two!

FIFTY FOR BEN DUCKETT AS WELL! His 9th in ODIs. He gets there by slapping the short ball to the cover region for a single. This will do the world of good for his confidence. Looked a bit scratchy in the beginning, but has got himself settled very well at the crease.

FIFTY FOR JOE ROOT! Off 66 balls. This is his 44th ODI half century. A brilliantly constructed knock so far. Full, on leg, flicked off the pads wide of long on for a single. England would want their premier batter to stay till the end and get the job done. Raises his bat calmly, does Root. Acknowledges the applaus from the England faithful present at Khettarama.

Short, on middle, Duckett rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Don't bowl him there! Flights a googly, full and on middle and leg. Duckett reads the wrong'un and sweeps it over square leg for a boundary. A four for England after 50 balls.

Leg break, short, on middle, Root hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Draws his front foot ahead and drives the full ball to cover.

Drags the length back, short, outside off, Duckett slaps it with a cross bat but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Hangs it up there, full and on the stumps. Ben defends it out to extra cover.

Full, on middle and leg, Joe Root flicks it down to long on for a single. This partnership is now worth 91 runs.

Lands it full, around off, Root lunges with a huge stride and eases it to short cover.

Shade short, on middle, Root hangs back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Around off, tossed fuller, Root drives it to mid off.

Around the legs, clipped to mid-wicket with soft hands.

Full on middle, clipped to the leg side for a single.

An appeal for LBW, but not entertained by the umpire. Another googly on a good length, but drifting down the leg side. Root stays back to work it in front of square on the leg side and ends up wearing it on the front pad.

Tight leave! On a length, outside off, Root makes a watchful leave.

Short and wide outside off, Duckett throws his hands at it off the back foot and pierces the gap between deep point and deep cover. Janith Liyanage, from deep point, dives full length to his left and does well to stop it, parrying the ball towards the converging sweeper. The return comes in to the striker’s end and hits the stumps, but the batters had already completed the second run. The deflection then runs away wide of square leg, allowing them to pinch a third.

Serves it full, outside off, Root drives inside out to deep cover and strolls for a single.

Quiet over from Dhananjaya. Just 2 runs from it. Just 9 runs from the last 3 for England! Short, outside off, slashed off the back foot to cover-point.

Targets the stumps, on a fuller length, Ben gets on the front foot and smothers the spin.

Full, on the stumps, Root runs it down to long on for a single.

Drops it around middle and leg, Joe tries to flick the full ball to the leg side, but gets a leading edge to cover.

Pushed fuller, on middle, Joe eases it back to the bowler.

Length ball, outside off, guided off the back foot behind square on the off side for a single. 31 balls since the last boundary for England.

Quicker through the air, full, around off, Root leans on and eases it to cover-point with soft hands.

Looped fuller, outside leg, Ben brooms it to deep backward square leg for another single.

Short, on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one more.

After missing quite a few, Duckett now reverse sweeps this full ball, on middle, to deep square point for a single.

He flicks this full ball into the mid-wicket pocket for a single.

Full and flat on leg, Ben clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Productive last 10 overs for England. They managed to score 49 runs in this 11-20 over phase, but crucially, without any wicket loss. At the same stage, Sri Lanka were 97/2. So nothing really separates both sides, in fact, the hosts had lost one extra wicket at this point. So these two have done extremely well to hang in there. Change of ends for Jeffrey Vandersay. 1-0-6-0 so far, and replaces Dunith Wellalage.

Pitches it up, fuller, on leg, Root tucks it to square leg.

Fuller, around off, Ben drives it toward the right of the diving cover fielder who makes half stop and the batter gets a single.

A touch shorter, just outside off, Ben bunts it to cover-point.

Flat and fuller, on off, Ben leans on the delivery pressing forward and eases it to mid on for no runs.

Full, on off, Ben defends it back to the bowler.

Fuller, around the pads of the batter, Root strides out and rolls his wrists to flick it to square leg for one.

Dhananjaya de Silva (3-0-11-0) replaces Jeffrey Vandersay.

Short, around off, Root hangs back, deep into the crease and nudges it across the line to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short, around off, Ben knocks it to long on for one.

FOUR LEG BYES! Full and sliding down the leg side. Duckett gets forward for the flick, misses it, and the ball clips the front pad before trickling away to deep third. The ring fielder gives chase and even slides, but cannot prevent it from reaching the rope.

Fullish, just outside off, Ben sits down and sweeps it across the line into the gap between deep fine leg and deep square leg and gets a couple of runs.

Pitches it up, on middle, Ben defends it to his front foot.

Fuller, around the pads of the batter, Ben flicks it toward square leg.

Short, around off, Ben punches it to sweeper cover for one more single.

Short, just outside off, Joe punches it to the right of the point fielder, who dives but fails to make a stop. Single taken.

Pitches it up, does Jeffrey, on off, Ben flicks it to mid-wicket for another single.

Fuller, outside off, turning it away, Joe prods and drives it through cover for a single.

Full, on middle, Duckett strides out and tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, wide outside off, Joe extends his arm and punches it through cover for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! Why are they playing boring cricket? Asks a Gen-Z. Well, sometimes boring is the most effective, and these two have displayed exactly that. Tapping the ball around the corner, stealing ones and twos just builds a good platform for the middle overs. Duckett might have had his own struggles against spin, but he has hung in there with Root, who has just been excellent with his approach. The partnership is worth 62 runs now, and Sri Lanka desperately need someone to step up and break this alliance. England need 198 runs from 198 balls and as far as Root is concerned, he will just go about his business from one end. Duckett is on 30, and would like to gear up a bit now, so that runs keep coming at a fair clip. Spinner number 4 deployed by Sri Lanka. Jeffrey Vandersay replaces Charith Asalanka.

Tossed up, much fuller, just outside off, Root drives it to mid off for a single.

Fuller, around the pads, Ben flicks it to sqaure leg for a single.

Short and outside off, Ben Duckett punches it to cover from his back foot.

Short, on off, Root dabs it to cover point for a single.

Fuller, on off, Root pushes it back to the bowler.

Short, around leg, Root looks to nudge it away but misses and the ball hits his thigh pad.

That was a productive over for England. With a couple of quick boundaries, Duckett will surely feel a lot at ease now. The pressure has now shifted to Sri Lanka to break this partnership quickly and rein in the scoring, with the required rate having dipped below six an over.

FOUR! Ben Duckett is slowly turning the heat! Pitches it up, does Asalanka, on off and middle. Ben Duckett charges down the track and lofts it downtown for another boundary, to long on's right.

Fuller, around off, Ben lunges and defends it in front.

FOUR! Nicely played! Full, on middle, Ben Duckett sits down on one knee and sweeps it toward the right of the deep backward square leg fielder for four runs.

Flat and much fuller, on middle, Joe hangs back and flicks it to square leg for a single.

Tossed up, fuller, on off, Ben Duckett gets across, covers the line, and scoops it off the outer half of his bat toward the right of the short third fielder for a single. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Duckett and Root!

Fuller, on middle, Ben flicks it to mid-wicket for no runs.

Fullish, around off, Ben pushes it through cover for a comfortable single.

Fuller, around off, Root leans on the delivery and pushes it with soft hands into the gap between short extra cover and cover-point for a single.

Flat and fuller, on middle, Root nudges it from his front foot to mid on.

Full, on off, Root pushes it to short extra cover.

Short, around off, Root fends it to the cover fielder.

Shortish, on off and middle, Root defends it on his back foot.

A touch shorter on off, Joe Root hangs back and tucks it to square leg for another single.

Fuller, on leg, Ben flicks it to square leg for one.

Short, around middle, Root clips it to square leg for one

Much fuller, around leg, Root looks to flick it but wears on his front pad. Appeal again from the Lankans but it is sliding down the leg side.

Huge appeal for LBW, but no says the umpire! Flat and fuller, around leg, Root looks to reverse sweep but misses to connect and the ball kisses his pads. Pitching outside leg, maybe.

Fuller, around off, Root drives it to cover.

A tad fuller, around off, Ben punches it to right of the cover fielder, who dives to his rigth and makes a stop.

A touch fuller, on off, Root goes deep into the crease and rolls his wrist to flick it to wide of short mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Full, just outside off, Root eases it to the off side.

Tossed up, on off, Root defends it to his front.

FOUR! Excellently played! This is short of a length, pitching outside off and turning away from the batter. Joe Root frees his arm, doesn't try to hit it too hard, just times the ball to perfection through cover. Manages to beat the sweeper to his right for a boundary.

Pitches it up, on off, Ben lunges and flicks it across the line to mid-wicket for a single.

A touch fuller, on off and middle, Ben flicks it to the left of mid-wicket for a single. 50 UP FOR ENGLAND!

Asalanka drags his length back, on middle, Joe clips it to square leg for a single.

Short and outside off, Joe Root hangs back and punches it to wide deep cover for a couple of runs.

Fuller, around the pads of the batter. Ben flicks it to square leg for a single.

Tossed up, much fuller, just outside the off pole. Ben drives it but straight to the fielder in the short cover region.

Short, on middle, Joe Root goes deep into the crease and tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Charith Asalanka decides to roll his arm now. He replaces Dhananjaya de Silva, who is off the field at the moment.

Fuller, around off, Root pushes it to cover-point and gets a single.

Short, on leg, Ben flicks it through square leg for a single.

Fuller, just outside the leg stump. Ben looks to reverse sweep it but fails to get the connection.

Fuller, on leg, Ben tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Arm ball, pitches it fuller and just outside off, angling it away. Ben looks to defend it to the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller, on leg, Root flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

POWERPLAY 2! Sri Lanka will be allowed a maximum of 4 fielders outside the inner ring in the span of 11-40 overs. England's 41/1 meets Sri Lanka's 49/0 after 10 overs. So spin from both ends now. Here's Dunith Wellalage into the attack, replacing Pramod Madushan.

A bit too full, around off, Ben spreads across the crease and carves it to cover, but cannot get it past the fielder. England end their Powerplay on 41/1.

Much fuller, on leg, Root flicks it wide of mid-wicket for one more.

Off break, outside off, on a shorter length. Ben Duckett chips it off the back foot, a bit uppish, but wide of the bowler for a single.

On middle, sliding across the batter, Joe hangs back and punches it wide of cover for a quick single.

Outside leg, on a fuller length, nurdled off the back foot to square leg.

Full and across off, from around the stumps, Root flicks it to mid-wicket.

Full and slow on middle and leg, Joe Root whips it to deep square leg for a single. Duckett looks for the second, but the fielder in the deep is quick to get to the ball, so Root sends him back on a sharp call. 10 runs from the over.

Off cutter by the looks of it, on a length, on off. Joe Root nudges it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Neatly played! Slightly back of a length, outside off, enough room for Root to access the off side. He hangs back in the crease and uses his wrists to cut it square, through backward point and cover-point gap for a boundary.

Full and on middle, Joe gets on the front foot and drills it straight to mid off.

FOUR! ALL CLASS! Short of a good length, onto the pads. Joe Root comes out of the crease, gets a bit across and flicks it to the left of square leg for a boundary.

Hard length, outside off, slashed off the back foot to deep point for a single.

Charith Asalanka is off the field for now. He is getting some medical attention on his left hand. May have got a scratch while fielding on 7.1. Pramod Madushan is back on. 2-0-8-0 so far. He replaces Asitha Fernando.

Pitched outside leg, on a fuller length, Root tries to reverse sweep, but misses and the ball thuds the front pad.

Nice and full, on middle, flicked away to mid-wicket.

Chance! But a direct hit was needed! Sliding in and around the leg stump, Duckett tucks it to the left of the bowler and they rush through for a single. Dhananjaya de Silva runs across to his left and stops it. Gets rid of the ball as he sees Duckett hurrying to get to the other end, but misses his shy at the bowling end.

Drags the length a bit, full and around off, spinning with bounce. Ben Duckett drives it straight to short cover.

Full and on off, at 81 kph, Ben gets forward and taps it gently back to the bowler.

From around the stumps, this is full and on the leg stump. Root flicks it to the right of Charith Asalanka at square leg. The skipper dives to cut it off. Just a single for Root then.

Pitched outside leg, on a length, Duckett plays off the back foot and tucks it across to short mid-wicket.

Slammed hard on a length, on leg, Ben Duckett is rushed on the back foot, trying to whip it to square leg, but the ball skids through and raps him on the thigh pad.

On a fuller length, at 131 kph, on middle, Root pushes it wide of mid-wicket for a single as Janith Liyanage slides to his right and stops it.

Full and on middle, angling in. Root flicks off the pads to square leg.

Nips in from a length, outside off, Root rises up with the bounce and cuts it to the left of Pavan Rathnayake at backward point. He stops it with a sharp, alert dive to prevent any run.

Hard length, on top of middle, Joe tilts forward and clips it with soft hands to mid-wicket.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Drops it short and outside off, Ben Duckett backs away, waits on it and crunches it to deep extra cover for a boundary. That will ease his nerves to an extent.

The physio is out to conduct a mandatory concussion test for Ben Duckett. He is fine to continue.

At just 81 kph, this is served full and on off and middle. Ben Duckett employs the reverse sweep, only to miss again. He takes a blow on the helmet.

This time, Root reverse sweeps this full ball to short third. Pramod Madushan stops it with a dive to his left and keeps it down to a single.

Shortish, outside off, Ben Duckett backs away and slaps it through cover for a single.

Slower through the air, an arm ball, full and around off, Ben switches his stance to play the reverse sweep, but misses and the ball clips the front pad before rolling to the leg side.

Loops one full and on off, Ben lunges ahead and taps it straight back to the bowler.

Joe Root loves to play in Sri Lanka. He averages above 65 in this part of the world in the ODIs. And we will have spin from the other end. Here's Dhananjaya de Silva into the attack, replacing Pramod Madushan.

Touch full, around off, Joe knocks it to cover, playing it off the front foot.

Full and outside off, swinging back in a touch. Root leans forward and presents full face. Drives it straight to mid off.

Attacks the stumps at 134 kph, on a fuller length, Root whips off the inner half to square leg.

Nips in from off, on a good length. Root defends it right under the bat.

FOUR! Right out of the coach's manual! On a fractionally fuller length, outside off. Beautiful weight transfer on the front foot, with the head leaning on the ball. Root lets it come into him and creams it past cover and point gap for a cracking boundary! Everything was so perfect about that shot.

Bangs it on a length, angling into the batter, Joe Root gets forward to negate the movement and taps it to the leg side, in front of square.

A bit of an inswing on a length, at 133 kph, outside off. Ben Duckett looks to slash it through point, but the ball shapes in and squirts off the inside edge onto the pads.

Keeps the line on the stumps, on a hard length, Ben tucks it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Whoa! Edged, but safe! On a hard length, but doesn't rise much, outside off. Ben Duckett looks to punch on the rise, but gets a thick inside edge, but luckily, the ball flirts past the off stump and rolls back to the keeper.

Nips away this time, fullish and around off, Ben blocks it solidly to the off side.

Almost dragged on! Swings in from off, on a good length. Ben Duckett is pinned in the crease and tries to work it across, getting an inside edge onto the back thigh. The ball then rolls past the leg stump to short fine leg.

Skids low, around off, on a length, at 133 kph. Root plays it late off the back foot and guides it to deep third, more off the outside edge, for a single.

On a hard length, outside off, Joe Root lets it come and dabs it to the left of the diving backward point fielder for a single. A successful over for Sri Lanka and Fernando, this.

WIDE! Sprays it down leg, on a good length. Joe Root misses his flick and the keeper collects it to his left. Wide called.

Couldn't be a better start than this for the hosts. Joe Root makes his way to the crease at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Asitha strikes and strikes big early doors. Pitches it full and outside off. It shapes away from the right-hander as Zak chases the wide line, flashing at it with hard hands. Only manages a fat outside edge as his feet are nowhere close to the pitch of the ball. Kusal Mendis does the rest with a regulation catch behind the stumps, to his right. Asitha is joyous and so are the Sri Lankans. Zak Crawley departs on 6 (11) and England are 12/1, chasing 272.

BEAUTY! On a hard length, angling into the batter, on top of off. Zak is cramped for room, as he tries to work it across the line, but the ball sneaks through the yawning gap between bat and pad to the keeper.

On top of middle, short of a good length. Ben Duckett rides the bounce and tucks it past square leg for an easy single.

In front of the stumps, on a good length, Duckett rocks back and bunts it down the pitch.

FOUR! Up and over! Wide on off, a full toss. Ben Duckett throws his bat at it, goes with hard hands. Bumps the ball over the point fielder and gets a boundary. Geez, that has raced away so quickly through the outfield.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Full and on middle, straighter with no movement, Zak drills it between mid on and mid-wicket to find the fence!

He is off the mark! Back of a length, shaping away from off, Zak Crawley hangs back and nudges it past mid-wicket for a couple of runs to open his account.

BEATEN! Gets a good bit of outswing on a length, outside off. The ball lands and skids through to beat a loose poke from Crawley, away from his body. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Finally, England are off the mark! On a back of a length, on the leg stump. Ben stands tall and wrists it through square leg for a single.

At 133 kph, just outside off, on a good length. Ben Duckett presses in front and defends it down the pitch.

Starts with a length ball, outside off, sliced off the back foot to cover-point.

That was an excellent opening over by Asitha. Pramod Madushan to share the attack from the opposite end.

Full and just outside off, Zak Crawley gets on the front foot, and drives it straight, but the ball smashes the stumps at the non-striker's end. Asitha did try to stick out his right hand to get a deflection, but it was a bit too wide. A MAIDEN!

A massive appeal again for LBW, but not given. The Sri Lankans bail out of the appeal instantly. On a hard length, cutting back in with some bounce. Zak plays all over the line as the ball beats the inside edge and thuds high on his thigh pad.

On the money again! In the channel, on off, nipping in. Zak prods half forward to push it straight, but hits off the inner half to mid on.

Straight and full, at 133 kph, around off, Zak leans forward and drives it straight to mid off.

A loud appeal for LBW, but not entertained. Going down leg, clearly. Sri Lanka do not review it either. Back of a length, slanted into the batter, on the pads, Zak Crawley misses the flick and wears it on the front pad.

Lands it on a length, around off, nipping away from the batter. Zak presses ahead and decides to leave.

Slower ball, on a length outside leg. Wellalage swings hard across the line, and drills it behind square leg, and hustles back for a brace before the throw comes in to the keeper’s end. This could prove to be game-changing over if it comes down to the wire. 23 runs off the final over. SRI LANKA FINISH AT 271/6!

FOUR! Make it a hat trick of boundaries for Dunith Wellalage! This is turning out to be a massive over from Sri Lanka's pov. Short of a length. Wellalage takes it on but is hurried on the pull, gets a thick top edge and the ball sails over short fine leg, takes a couple of bounces and runs away to the rope.

FOUR MORE! Clever batting from Wellalage. This is an off pace delivery, angled across the batter, Wellalage gets inside the line and goes through the scoop early. The bottom hand comes off the handle, but the ball still sails over Buttler and runs away to the fence.

FOUR! Beats the fielder and races away! Important runs these for the hosts. Short and wide outside off. He stands tall and slaps it through the off side. Bethell from deep cover sprints to his left, dives to cut it off, but the ball beats him and squirts to the fence.

Short and around off, this is slapped past the bowler with a flat bat, to the right of mid off, for a single.

JUST IN! At just 93 kph, this is slower and fuller, but drifting well wide outside off. Wellalage throws his hands at it and misses. The batters take off for a quick run. Buttler collects and throws it back to the bowler. Overton gathers the throw and whips the bails off in a flash as Wellalage drags his bat inside the crease at the bowling end. The TV umpire goes through the replays and confirms Wellalage’s bat is safely inside the crease when the bails light up. NOT OUT flashes on the big screen.

SIX! CLEAN STRIKE! Jamie aims for a yorker, but lands it full, on off, Dunith Wellalage finds the ball in his slot, swings through the line and effortlessly sails it over long off for a cracking six. 250 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

Who will bowl the last over? Jamie Overton (8-0-43-0) it shall be to wrap up. Can Sri Lanka get to 270? And can Kusal get to his century? Let's see...

Just lands safe! A slower short ball from Curran, into the body line. Dunith Wellalage hoicks it off the top edge, but the ball lands safely in the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

Short and on top of off, rising up from the deck. Dunith leans back to ramp it over the keeper, but misses to lay his bat on ball.

An attempted yorker, on middle and leg, Dunith nudges it through mid-wicket and they scamper back for the second run. Good running!

A low, dipping full toss, on the off stump, Mendis walks forward and drills it to long on for a single.

WIDE! Miles outside off, on a good length, beyond the tramline. Mendis ignores. Wide called.

Nails in the yorker, on off, Dunith carves it out to extra cover for a quick single.

Slower cutter, on a length, pitching outside leg. Mendis tries to pull it over square leg, but the ball stays low and beats the inside edge before rapping his thgh pad. It rolls away into the off side and they get a leg bye.

Sam Curran (7-0-34-1) is back on for the penultimate over.

Fuller and flatter, straighter outside off, Dunith Wellalage collapses his back knee into the pitch to slog it over the leg side, but just connects thin air. Just a couple of runs and a wicket from this over. Liam Dawson is done with his spell with excellent figures - 10-1-31-1.

On middle and short, Dunith goes on the back foot and steers it to mid-wicket.

Short, on leg, Kusal tucks it to deep mid-wicket for an easy solo.

Around the pads, on a length, Dunith nudges it through square leg for a single.

Another one bites the dust. But Mendis stays out in the middle, which is worth gold for Sri Lanka. Dunith Wellalage walks in at number 8.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Dawson finally gets rewarded for his miserly bowling. Pitched fuller and around the off and middle stumps. Pavan Rathnayake tries to loft it inside out over cover, but mistimes it off the toe end. Sails it only as far as Jamie Overton stationed at deep extra cover. Overton makes no mistake as it's a simple straightforward catch. Pavan Rathnayake departs on 12 (14) and Sri Lanka are 239/6.

Full and on off, grips and spins away with bounce. Pavan tries to push it straight, but gets a leading edge to point.

Rehan is done with his spell, so there will be a change from this end. Liam Dawson (9-1-29-0) to bowl out.

Good length, on the stumps, Kusal stands tall and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs as Duckett cuts it off in the deep.

Back of a length, on top of middle, Pavan mistimes his pull shot over mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, on the pads, at 139 kph, Mendis fails to flick it across the line, and wears on the front pad. The ball deflects to backward square leg and they cross for a leg bye.

FOUR! Clever batting! Full, outside off, Kusal shuffles across off and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Length ball, outside off, Pavan punches it away to deep cover for a single.

Trouble! On a back of a length, around off, Mendis dabs it to short third where Adil stops it. Mendis is ball-watching but Pavan is already through for a single. Seeing that Rashid releases the throw at the bowling, but misses his shy. With no proper backup there, the batters eventually steal a single.

Touch short, stump-to-stump, Kusal nudges it through mid on for a single. 10-0-61-1 for Rehan Ahmed.

Full again, outside off, Pavan drives it along the ground to deep extra cover for a single.

Full, on off, at 85 kph, Pavan tries to drive away, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls back to the bowler.

Short, on middle, Pavan gets on the back foot and knocks it down to widish mid on for a couple of runs.

Full, on off, Mendis sweeps it to deep square leg's left for a single.

Short of a length, on leg, this is tucked away to deep square leg for a single.

Right. Last 5 overs coming. What total are Sri Lanka eyeing at? 250? 260? For that, Mendis will have to stay till the end. Rehan Ahmed (9-0-55-1) to bowl out.

Flat and much fuller, on leg, Pavan drives it to the left of the bowler and gets a single.

Short, on middle, Mendis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on off, Mendis pushes it to cover.

A touch fuller, outside off, Mendis tries to sweep it across the line, but gets beaten.

Tossed up, on off, Pavan skips down the track and works it to long on for a single.

Fuller, on off, Mendis pushes it to long off for one.

In the air... but lands safely! Flat and fuller, on middle, Mendis looks to sweep it but gets more of the top edge. The ball flies and drops safely in the deep mid-wicket region and they cross.

Full and wide outside off, Pavan drives it to deep cover for one.

A touch short, on off, Kusal dabs it to deep cover for a single.

Full and outside off. Pavan pushes it to long on for a single.

Full and flat, a googly, outside off, Mendis gets low and drags it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full, outside off, Pavan drives it to deep cover for a single.

Full, on leg, Pavan pushes it to long on for a single.

The partnership between Kusal Mendis and Liyanage was worth 88 runs. And this wicket has just provided England an opportunity to slow things down a bit. Pavan Rathnayake walks in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Make it three for Adil Rashid. Back of a length, the top spinning googly rears up with extra bounce and a touch of turn back into the batter. The Janith is rushed on the back foot, tries to punch it straight, but the ball arrives later than he expects it to. He catches it high on the blade and ends up chafing it straight back into the bowler’s midriff. Adil does well to catch it to his left. 46 (53) for Janith Liyanage and Sri Lanka are 212/5.

Full, on off, Mendis drives it to long off for one.

Short, wide outside off, Janith cuts it to deep cover for one.

FOUR! More runs! A touch shorter, on middle and leg. Janith shuffles across the stumps and pulls it up and over square leg region for four more runs.

The economy from the English spinners has been wonderful, but Sri Lanka just have that wriggle room to launch the offensive with just four down.

A tad fuller, on leg, Kusal Mendis crouches low and paddles it to backward square leg for one.

SIX! 200 up for Sri Lanka with that biggie! This is a moon ball from Curran, on off. Janith judges the delivery exceptionally well, waits on it and tonks it straight down the ground, just managing to clear the ropes for half a dozen.

On a length, angling in, just outside off, Janith looks to poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

With pace this time, fuller, on off, Janith dabs it to cover.

Pitches it up, does Curran, on off, Kusal leans on the delivery and drives it to wide mid off for a single.

On a length, around off, Janith drives it to the sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller, angling down the leg side, Janith Liyanage looks to flick it but misses. Wide not given by the umpire.

Short, outside off, Janith punches it to deep cover for a single.

Leg break, full and on leg, swept to deep backward square leg for a single.

Short, on off, Mendis defends it to cover.

FOUR! SHOT! Short, around off, Kusal Mendis rocks back and guides it toward the left of the diving backward point fielder for four runs. The replay shows that the fielder got a bad bounce and the ball actually spun away to his left, beating him.

An appeal for stumping from Buttler! The on-field umpire have sent it upstairs. At 88 kph, this is a sharply turning leg break on a length around leg stump. Mendis strides forward to clip it into the leg side but is beaten on the outside edge. Buttler is lightning quick in whipping the bails off, but the replays show that Mendis' back foot was safely grounded in the crease when the bails are dislodged. NOT OUT flashes up on the big screen.

Fuller, around off, Kusal drives it to the left of the bowler. Rehan rolls to his left and fields it.

POWERPLAY 3! A maximum of 5 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle for the rest of the innings. Sri Lanka managed 48 runs in the 31-40 over phase, and more importantly, without losing any wickets. England, though, kept a tight grip on proceedings, ensuring the scoring rate never got out of hand. Rehan Ahmed (7-0-43-1) to continue.

Flat and short, outside off, Janith smacks it hard off the back foot. Finds the fielder again. Brook it is, at cover.

Hangs up there, full and around off, Janith advances down the track and chips it flat, but on the bounce to Brook at exrta cover.

Slides on with the arm, touch short, on leg, Liyanage tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Into the batter, full on middle and leg, Mendis drives it along the ground to long off for a single.

Fractionally full, on off, at 90 kph, Mendis plays with a straight bat and drives it to cover.

Nicely looped up, at 86 kph, full on off, Mendis pushes it out to cover.

Back-of-the-hand slower one, full and on middle, Mendis gets down on his knee and nails the sweep shot to deep square leg. Mendis hobbles to get to the other end.

Fuller one, on off, Mendis gets half forward and eases it to point. Mendis is clearly struggling out there.

Short of a length, outside off, Mendis rides the bounce and cuts it to backward point.

Oh, dear! Kusal Mendis is down on the ground, and he looks uncomfortable. Seems to be struggling with his back. Might have just overstretched on the previous ball. The physio rushes out to provide medical assistance to him. Sri Lanka would pray that this is just a minor niggle, considering the T20 World Cup is around the corner. And he is back on his feet. Pleasing signs for the hosts. He looks alright to continue.

On a length, an off cutter, just around middle, Mendis stretches in front and taps it to cover.

FOUR! Cracked away! A lot fuller and straighter, around off, Kusal Mendis gets on the front foot and drives it neatly past short extra cover for a boundary.

Slow bouncer, on off, Mendis prepares himself to pull, but gets totally deceived.

FOUR! Loose and that's punished! Down leg, on a fuller length, Janith gets down on a knee and sweeps it behind square through deep backward square leg for a boundary. Liyanage moves to 33 (41).

FOUR LEG BYES! Good length, spinning away from outside off. Liyanage steps across and drops to one knee to sweep. The ball clips the back thigh pad and eludes Buttler to his right, trickling away between him and short third for four leg byes.

Full and at 88 kph, around off, dabbed off the back foot to short third.

A massive appeal for caught behind, but the umpire shakes his head. Buttler doesn't look confident, and Rehan, too, is a bit doubtful, and they don't go for a review. A flighted delivery on off stump, turning away. Liyanage leans forward to defend but the ball spins square and beats the outside edge by a whisker.

In front of the sticks, full in length, Mendis presses forward and smothers it away to cover-point for a single.

Sharp leg break, short and wide outside off, Liyanage pats it to deep point for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. Sri Lanka have scored 32 runs in the last 7 overs, of which, 17 have come from the last 2. Kusal Mendis has batted brilliantly so far and will need support from the other end. Liyanage struggled initially against spin, but looks far better now with a few boundaries under his belt. England have been effective in breaking partnerships and will be eager to wrap up this one too. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, won’t be entirely comfortable yet, with plenty of work still needed to push the total past 250. Rehan Ahmed (6-0-37-1) returns into the attack after the hydration break. He replaces Jacob Bethell.

On a nagging length, around off, Mendis knocks it getting half forward to cover.

Another slower one, full on the stumps, this is clipped through square leg for an easy single.

A half hearted appeal for LBW, but not given. Moon ball from Curran, fullish and on middle. Janith Liyanage tries to flick, but gets a thick leading edge onto the pads.

FOUR! SMASHED! Pace off at just 111 kph, full and on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage waits for it to arrive and thrashes it through extra cover and mid of gap for a boundary. 50-RUN PARTNERSHIP COMES UP! Janith trying to get a move on.

Full, around off, Kusal creams it past mid off, but Brook slides to his left and cuts it off. Just a single.

Slids in from a length, Mendis blocks with a straight bat.

FOUR! Misfield! Drag-downer from Bethell, on the stumps. Janith Liyanage hangs deep in the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Zak Crawley runs across to his left from deep square leg, but seems to have lost the ball in the sun and gets nowhere near it, as the ball trickles away to the fence.

SIX! The boundary draught has broken for Sri Lanka! Bethell lands it full and on middle and leg. Janith Liyanage charges down the track and lofts it downtown for a six. That will ease a lot of pressure off his shoulders.

Turns away from off, full, Janith defends it off the outside edge to point.

Drifting in and around the leg stump, on a fuller length, Janith sits across and sweeps it behind square, but finds the fielder at backward square leg.

Touch full, around off, Mendis gets on the front foot and slices it through point for an easy single.

Tossed up, full and on the pads, Mendis nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Flat and fraction short, Mendis pulls it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

At 77 kph, fractionally full, on middle, Mendis gets in two minds, whether to play off the front foot, or commit on the back foot. He gets stuck in between, but manages to tuck it across to mid-wicket.

Pushed fuller, on middle, Kusal leans on and smothers the spin.

Short, on middle, Janith gets across and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and flat, around off, Janith gets outside the line of the off stump, trying to sweep, but gets an inside edge to the first slip.

Drops full, on middle, Janith charges down the track and blocks it back to Adil.

Okay then. Decision making time. According to the new rules, at the end of the 34th over, the fielding captain must select one of these two balls to be used from both ends for the remaining 16 overs of the match, while the other one will be retired. Brook makes his selection and we are good to go. Adil Rashid to continue.

Too full, on middle, this is clipped past square leg for a single.

Lands it full and around off, Janith advances down the track and drives it inside out, but finds the fielder at extra cover.

Flat and short, at 94 kph, on the pads, Mendis nudges it off the back foot, between mid-wicket and square leg for a single.

Short, on leg, Janith goes deep inside the crease and punches it to long on for a single.

More flight offered, full and on the stumps, forced straight back at the bowler. 27 balls since the last boundary for Sri Lanka!

Pushed full and on the pads, Janith flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Drops it full and around off, at 92 kph, Janith drives it along the ground to long off for a single.

Wide outside off on a length, Mendis hangs back and slaps it past cover-point for a single. Grunts in frustration for not getting it past the fielder, does Mendis.

Too flat and quick, outside off, Kusal cuts it to backward point.

Full, wide on off, at 95 kph. Janith sits across to sweep, but gets a thick top edge through square leg. The fielder in the deep collects it on the bounce. Just a single.

Short, outside off, this is punched off the back foot to deep cover for a single. 150 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

Drifts one on the pads, on a length, Kusal nudges it behind to deep fine leg for a couple. Overton mops it up to his right in the outfield.

Keeps the stumps in play, does Dawson. Full on middle, watchfully defended by Janith, off the front foot. Just 7 runs from the last 3 overs for Sri Lanka.

Touch full, on off, at 89 kph. Janith rushes deep in the crease and knocks it on the bounce to short cover.

Serves it full, on off, Kusal plays with the spin and laces it away to long off for a single.

Flat and short, on middle, Liyanage rocks back and tucks it down to long on for a single.

Full, around off, pushed to mid off.

Full and sliding down leg, Janith tries to flick, but misses and the ball brushes his front pad. Buttler gathers it sharply to his left.

Spin back in tandem. Liam Dawson is in for another spell. 6-0-23-0 so far. He replaces Jamie Overton.

Tossed up, full and on off, Mendis lunges in front and eases it back to Bethell.

Short and wide, at 90 kph, Mendis throws his bat at it, tries to cut, but hits it straight to the point fielder.

Kicks up from a length, around off, spinning away. Mendis fends it to backward point off the back foot.

A hasty single! Too full, on middle and leg, Janith shimmies down the track and drills it in front of mid on for a quick single.

Arm ball, full, on middle, Mendis plays with full face of the bat and drives it past the bowler's dive for a single to long off.

Pushed full, on middle, carved straight back to the bowler.

A mixed last ten overs for Sri Lanka, who have added 46 for the loss of two between overs 21 and 30. England have done well to keep the partnerships in check, not letting them flourish. And there will be a bowling change. Here's bowler number 6 for England, in the form of Jacob Bethell. He replaces Rehan Ahmed.

Back of a length, on middle. Janith Liyanage blocks it down.

Back of a length, on off, Janith Liyanage dabs it to the off side.

Full, on off, Janith eases it to the cover fielder.

WIDE! back of a length, angling down the leg side. Janith looks to pull it away, but misses.

Pitches it up, does Overton, on off, Janith defends it to down the deck.

Back of a length, around off, Kusal bunts it to cover for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Janith pulls it gently through square leg for a single.

Flat and fuller, on off, Kusal pushes it to cover.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR KUSAL MENDIS! Off 61 balls. This is his 35th ODI half century. Pitched way too full, on the stumps, Kusal Mendis jumps out of the crease and hammers it to the left of long on for a cracking boundary to get to his milestone. Wickets have kept falling around him, but he has looked purposeful in his knock, holding one end nicely. Has controlled the innings so far, and Sri Lanka would hope that he stays till the end.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Full-length delivery, outside off, Kusal Mendis lunges and drives it crisply toward the left of short extra cover for four runs.

A tad fuller, on off, Janith skips down the track and drives it to mid off for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Kusal drives it to wide of cover for a single.

Full, on off, Mendis pushes it to cover.

Short of a length, angling in, Janith ducks under it and lets it travel to the keeper.

On a hard length, on the stumps, Janith Liyanage fends it away.

Back of a length, on off, Janith dabs it back to the bowler.

Fuller, around the pads of the batter, Janith flicks it to square leg.

Short, on the stumps, Kusal nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Bumper, just outside off, Kusal crouches low and makes a leave.

Short, outside off, Janith punches it to cover.

FOUR! ATTACKED! Serves it full, does Rehan. It is the googly, outside off, Janith jumps out of the crease and heaves it over mid on for a boundary. Not exactly off the middle, but he gets off the mark.

Nice and full, around off, Janith leans ahead and taps it to point.

WIDE! Short, down the leg side, Janith misses his flicks.

England keep picking up wickets at regular intervals. 97/2 becomes 124/4 for Sri Lanka. Janith Liyanage walks in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Rehan Ahmed gets his name written on the wicket list. A bit flatter at 89 kph, this is floated full outside off. It turns back into the batter as Charith gets right across to sweep, but he only manages a faint top edge as the ball skids on. The ball brushes off his bicep and balloons over the keeper. Buttler has no idea where the ball is, but Brook moves smartly to his left from leg slip to take the catch. Mendis remains stranded at the other end, and sees wickets falling around him. Charith Asalanka departs on 17 (16). Sri Lanka are 124/4.

Fuller, just outside off, Charith Asalanka lunges to defend it to the off side, but gets the outside edge and it rolls away toward short third. SIngle taken.

Full, on off, Kusal drives it through cover for one.

Back of a length, around off, Mendis fends it to cover-point for one.

On a length, angling in, on middle and leg. Kusal Mendis rocks back and looks to flick but misses the connection and the ball thumps the pad. The appeal goes around for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. Maybe doing a bit too much to slide down leg.

Full and outside off, Asalanka tries to drive it but gets the outside edge once again. The ball bounces off toward the right of the deep third for a single.

Fuller, angling in on off, Asalanka defends it down.

FOUR! This time, it's from the middle of the willow! On a hard length, outside off. Charith Asalanka accepts the width and punches it over the cover region for a boundary.

FOUR! Off the edge! Full-length delivery, outside off. Charith Asalanka looks to drive at it but gets nicked on the outside edge and the ball rolls away toward the deep third fence for the boundary.

Halfway through the first innings and it is beautifully poised. England have punched back strongly, conceding just 14/1 in the last 5 overs. And with that, pace is back on. Jamie Overton returns into the attack. 4-0-20-0 so far. He replaces Adil Rashid.

Short, and outside off, Kusal Mendis steers it to short third and gets a single.

Fuller, angling in, on off, Kusal pushes it to cover.

Short, just outside off, Asalanka cuts it gently toward the left of the point fielder and gets a quick single.

Full, on off, Asalanka eases it to mid off.

Full, on middle, Mendis sweeps it crisply toward the right of the deep square leg fielder and gets across to take the single.

Fuller, just outside off, Asalanka drives it to the right of the short cover fielder, who dives and makes a half stop. The batter gets a single.

With some flight, fuller, on middle, Mendis lunges and pushes it to cover.

Short and outside off, Mendis frees his arm to cut it but finds the fielder in the point region.

Full, on middle, Charith gets on his front foot and nudges it to wide of short mid-wicket for a single.

A touch short, around off, Mendis punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Full, on off, Mendis eases it to point.

FOUR! SHOT! Short of a length, on middle, turning away. Mendis gets on the back foot and pulls it gently to guide the ball to the right of the short mid-wicket fielder and it races away toward the fence for four runs.

Short, on middle, Mendis opens his stance and pulls it hard to the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Full, around off, Mendis eases it to point for no runs.

Fuller, on off, Asalanka shuffles a bit across the stump and sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.

Pitches it up, does Rehan, on leg, Mendis flicks it to the right of the mid on fielder for a quick single. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

Much fuller, on off, Kusal pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Fuller, on leg, Charith Asalanka lunges and pushes it to cover for a quick single.

Short and just outside off, turning it back to the left-hander. Asalanka rocks back and pats it to cover for a single. End of an succesfull over from Adil Rashid. A wicket and only a single from it!

Adil dishes one on a fuller length, lands it around off and turns it into the batter sharply. Charith Asalanka drags his hands in front to sweep, but misses to connect. The ball passes close to his wristband and then raps the the front pad. Another shout for LBW, but the finger stays down. This one looks a lot closer and Rashid is keen. Brook walks up to have a word with his bowler and eventually decides to take the review. There is a suspicion of glove involved, so the third umpire checks the UltraEdge. And there it is, a clear spike as the ball brushes the glove. The on-field decision stands, and England burn a review.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down this time! Fuller, on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka misses his flick and the ball pings on the pad. It seems the ball is going down the leg side and hence, England do not review it.

Full, around off, Asalanka defends it down the deck.

Another partnership broken by Adil Rashid. He continues to chip away at the wickets. Just a couple of deliveries earlier, the on air graphic showed Rashid sitting just behind Matt Henry on the list of most ODI wickets in 2025. Now then, the skipper, Charith Asalanka is in at number 5.

OUT! LBW! Adil breaks the 43-run partnership. Way too full, almost a full toss, speared in around middle. Dhananjaya de Silva drops to sweep but misjudges the line completely. The ball skids past the angled bat, thuds into the front pad and up goes the appeal from the English players. The umpire obliges and raises his finger instantly. Dhananjaya de Silva walks off without reviewing as it is too plumb in front. 10 (21) for de Silva and Sri Lanka are 97/3.

Full, on middle, de Silva brings his willow to the front fo his pad to defend it down.

Flat and fuller, just outside off, Kusal eases it to cover for no runs. MAIDEN OVER BY DAWSON!

Full, on off, Mendis eases it to extra cover.

Pitches it up, does Dawson, on off, Mendis pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Tossed up, on off, Mendis leans on the delivery and defends it to the off side for no runs.

Flat and fuller, on off, Mendis drives it back to Dawson.

Fuller, on middle, Kusal defends it back to the bowler.

A decent phase for Sri Lanka. They have scored 48/2 in the 11-20 over phase as these two batters are opening up slowly and steadily. Liam Dawson (5-0-23-0) to continue.

Lands it full and outside leg, Mendis sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.

Stump-to-stump, blocked straight off the front foot.

FOUR! Into the gap! Way too full, on the stumps and drifting onto the pads. Kusal Mendis gets down on one knee and nails the sweep to deep backward square leg, beating Rehan Ahmed running across from deep fine leg to his left.

At 79 kph, this full and on middle, Mendis leans on and smothers the spin.

Slides one down leg, on a fuller length, de Silva paddles it to deep backward square leg for one more.

Slows it up, full and around off, Mendis drives it down to long off for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! After a cautious start against the spinners, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva look well set now. Mendis has managed to pick up a few quick boundaries behind square, while de Silva has taken the safer route, showing restraint and choosing to play the spinners with care. These two have added 36 runs so far, and would like to bat through the middle overs. England’s over rate has been impressive, largely aided by operating with spin in tandem. They will be keen to strike with a wicket or two in quick succession and force the hosts into yet another rebuild. Adil Rashid (4-0-16-1) to continue after the break.

Slides one full and on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva leans on and defends it to the off side.

Spins away from middle, on a length, at 88 kph. Dhananjaya de Silva prods half forward and fends it to cover.

At 91 kph, full around off, de Silva works it to mid on.

Full and quick, on the stumps, pushed back at the bowler.

Just short! Slightly shorter this time, full and on off. It holds on the surface and de Silva ends up chipping it on the bounce to extra cover.

Pushed fuller, on middle, Mendis draws his front foot forward and drives it to long off for a single.

Short, outside off, Mendis slaps it past cover-point for a single.

FOUR! He has been very productive behind square! Not that short from Rashid, but outside off, Kusal Mendis hangs deep inside the crease and plays the late cut, beating Sam Curran's chase from short third.

Dropped short, outside off, slapped to the widish cover fielder for a single.

Sharp turn again, full and outside off, de Silva presses ahead to defend, but gets an outside edge. It is played with soft hands and hence, the ball rolls behind to Brook at first slip.

PEACH! At just 71 kph, Adil flights a leg break, full and around middle. Dhananjaya de Silva leans on to defend, but the ball spins across his bat and beats the outside edge.

Short, on leg, spinning across, Mendis rushes on the back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drops it short, on middle and leg, at 87 kph. Dhananjaya de Silva hangs back and tucks it to short mid-wicket. 11 runs off the over!

Full and straight, flat on off, Mendis works it down to long off for a single.

FOUR MORE! Excellently played! Shortish delivery, just outside off, Kusal Mendis uses the depth of the crease, plays it very late and cuts it to the left of backward point for a boundary. Runs are coming thick and fast for the Lankans.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for Sri Lanka! Slides on way down leg, on a fuller length, Kusal tries to flick, but misses. The ball beats the inside edge and Buttler too, before rushing through to the deep fine leg fence, beating Brook's chase from short fine leg.

Full and outside off, driven off the front foot to short cover. Bethell dives and cuts it off to his right.

At 88 kph, full and sliding on leg, Mendis taps it off the front foot to mid on.

A friendly full toss, on leg, clipped through square leg for a single.

A couple of productive overs for Sri Lanka. 16 runs from the last 2 overs. Liam Dawson (3-0-11-0) is back on, replacing Rehan Ahmed.

Touch short, on the leg stump line, de Silva nudges it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Flighted up, full and wide outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva smashes it over the bowler for a cracking boundary down the ground!

A googly, short, on off, de Silva watchfully blocks it in front.

Slower at just 67 kph, on middle, Mendis sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Dishes out a googly, on middle, Mendis plays with the turn and nudges it to mid-wicket.

BEATEN! In dipper leg break, pitched on leg and spins square across the bat's face, beating Mendis' front foot defence.

Full and outside off, Kusal prods in front and drills it through mid off for a single. 10 off the over!

FOUR! Copy-paste of the previous ball! Flat and quick, wide outside off, on a length. Kusal Mendis hangs deep inside the crease and guides it behind short third for a boundary. Two in two for Mendis.

FOUR! Nicely placed! Short, outside off, Kusal Mendis gets the width, rocks back and guides it past short third for a boundary.

Too full, on middle, de Silva sweeps it through square leg for a single.

Full, on off, tapped out to point.

Keeps it stump-to-stump, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it down the pitch.

Full and wide outside off, de Silva pushes it to the left of cover for a single.

He presses in front and blocks the full ball.

Both the Lankan openers are back in the pavilion now, after such a watchful start. Dhananjaya de Silva is in at number 4.

OUT! BOWLED! A self-inflicted dismissal and Adil opens his account as well. A beautifully flighted googly, landing outside leg. Mishara shuffles a bit too across for the sweep, misses it completely to connect as the ball turns away past his bat and crashes into the stumps, rattling the furniture. Kamil Mishara departs on 27 (37) and Sri Lanka are 54/2.

Full on the stumps, steered away to mid-wicket.

Full and on middle, Kusal sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Sliding onto the pads, full in length, Mendis tries to sweep, but gets a bottom edge to the keeper.

Outside off and short, Kusal Mendis rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single. Tidy start for Rehan.

At 88 kph, Rehan dishes out a googly, short and on middle. Mendis presses back and dabs it to point.

Looped up, full and on off, Kusal presses forward and blocks.

Slightly short, on off, Mendis hangs back and bunts it back to the bowler.

Nice and full, blocked into the off side.

Touch short, a googly, this is slapped to point for a single.

Spin from both ends now. Rehan Ahmed replaces Sam Curran.

Lovely flight, full and on middle, defended watchfully by Mendis.

Full, on middle, blocked back at the bowler.

Spins away from off, full in length, blocked off the front foot. More off the outside edge.

Tossed up, full and on off, Mendis eases it back to Rashid..

Full, on middle, Mendis leans forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Short and spinning in, Mishara works it across to widish mid off for a single.

Nice and full, at a gentle pace. Kusal presses in front and smothers the pace.

On middle, on a length, Kusal punches it to cover with soft hands.

Length ball, around off, knocked off the back foot to cover.

England finally have a wicket. In walks Kusal Mendis at number 3.

OUT! MISTIMED AND TAKEN! Sam Curran provides the first breakthrough for England. He cunningly dishes out the moon ball, lands it full and just around the off pole. Pathum is deceived by the lack of pace as he swings his bat way to early to drag the ball over mid on. Gets it mistimed off the inner half and the fielder at mid on, Liam Dawson, moves to his left and takes a fine catch on his haunches. Pathum Nissanka departs on 21 (30). Sri Lanka are 50/1.

Skids through from a fuller length, around the stump. Pathum drags the bat in front and blocks it down the pitch.

Short, on middle, pulled off the back foot to widish deep mid-wicket for a single. 50 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

Powerplay 2 is underway. England can now station a maximum of four fielders outside the 30 yard circle from overs 11 to 40. From Sri Lanka’s perspective, it has been a largely watchful phase so far. The two batters have read the conditions well and shown no signs of rust. England are still without a wicket and it would not be a surprise to see spin from both ends, especially with how tight Liam Dawson has been. For the moment, Sam Curran will carry on. 0/14 in 3 overs so far.

Fuller, on off, Nissanka prods and defends it to the off side.

FOUR! That's pure placement from Nissanka! A touch fuller, just outside the off pole. Pathum stays on his back foot but crouches a bit, opens the face of the bat and steers it to the left of the backward point fielder for four more runs.

Short, around off, Nissanka gets on his back foot and punches it to cover.

Flat and fuller, around off, Nissanka sits down on one knee and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full again, on middle, Kamil looks to nudge it from his front foot toward mid-wicket, but gets the connection from the outer part of his bat. The ball drops on the track and rolls back to the bowler.

Fullish, just outside off, Nissanka shimmies down the track and drives it toward the right of the short extra cover for a single.

Pitches it up, does Curran, on off, Mishara drives it straight to the mid off fielder and gets no run.

Hard-length delivery, just outside off, Nissanka bunts it to cover-point and gets a single.

Fuller, around off, Pathum drives it to the right of the mid off fielder.

Good length, angling in on off. Nissanka stays tall and goes for the pull over mid-wicket, but it lacks power. The deep square leg fielder, Overton, ambles across to his left and keeps it down to two.

Fuller, on off, Mishara leans on and drives it to the right of the mid off fielder and steals a single.

Good-length delivery, on off, Mishara stays on his back foot and dabs it to cover-point.

Switch of ends for Sam Curran (2-0-10-). He replaces Jamie Overton.

Short of a length, around off, Nissanka slaps it but finds the fielder in the point region.

Fuller with some flight on offer, on middle. Kamil gets on his front foot and drives it to long on for a single.

Fuller, around off, Nissanka drives it wide of mid off for a single.

A touch shorter, angling in on leg, Nissanka camps back and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, fuller, on middle, Nissanka strides out and defends it back to the bowler.

Short, around the fifth stump. Nissanka punches it with cross bat to cover.

Short of a length, just outside off, Mishara steers it to the left of the deep third for a couple of runs. 8 runs off the over!

Back of a length, outside off, Mishara gets on his toes and punches it to cover.

Fuller, angling in, around middle, Mishara tucks it to mid-wicket.

On a length, on off, Mishara dabs it to point.

SIX! That's exceptional from Mishara! Jamie Overton bends his back and offers a bouncer, on off and middle. Kamil Mishara hangs on his back foot, swivels and pulls it up and over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen.

Full, around middle, Mishara nudges it to mid-wicket.

Double change? Nope. Jamie Overton (3-0-12-0) to continue.

Uppish but away! At 89 kph, this is speared in at a fuller length, almost a yorker. Nissanka clears the front leg and chips it towards mid-wicket, Bethell launches himself to his left, but the ball just evades his reach. A very tidy start for Dawson. Just 3 off his first over.

Full, on middle, Nissanka rests it down.

Short, on the pads, Mishara nudges it to square leg for one.

Short of a length, angling it away from the left-hander. Mishara transfers his weight to his back foot and pushes it into the gap in the cover region. The cover fielder sprints back and cuts it down to two runs.

A touch fuller, on leg, Mishara tucks it to mid on.

Liam Dawson jogs from around the wicket, pitching it fuller, on leg, Mishara nudges it to mid-wicket on his front foot.

Unsurprisingly, spin has been deployed inside the Powerplay. The newer ball has skidded on and to exploit the slowish conditions, Brook tosses the ball to Liam Dawson. He replaces Sam Curran.

Back of a length, just outside off, Nissanka stabs it to cover from his back foot.

Fuller, angling in, around off, Nissanka stabs it to cover for no runs.

On a length, into the corridor or uncertainty. Mishara throws his hands at it, but gets the outside edge. The ball skims toward the deep third fielder and the batters pinch in a single.

Much fuller, just outside off, Mishara opens the face of the bat but hits it off the toe end, and the ball rolls away to point.

Back of a length again, on off, Mishara defends it on his back foot.

BEATEN! Jamie Overton steams from around the wicket and pitches it back of a length, just outside off and angles it in. Mishara rocks back to block it down, but the ball straightens up and zips past the outside edge.

Short of a good length, outside off, Mishara punches it through cover-point for an easy single.

Full, around off, Mishara pushes it to mid off.

On a length, around off, Mishara defends it to cover.

FOUR! SMOOTH OPERATOR! This is fuller from Curran, pitching it outside off. Kamil Mishara strides out to the pitch of the ball, and drives it away, piercing the gap between short extra cover and mid off for four more runs.

Back of a length, around off, Mishara bunts it to the off side.

Fuller, outside off, Mishara does not move his feet much, and tries to drive it away, but gets the inside edge onto the pads.

Pitches it up, does Overton. On middle and leg. Nissanka drives it through the line toward the left of the mid on fielder, who dives but fails stop the ball. It rolls away to the outfield, but the mid off fielder sprints across and cuts it before the ropes. Two taken.

Much fuller, on off, Nissanka jams it to mid off.

Back of a length, around off, Nissanka dabs it to cover.

FOUR LEG BYES! Fired in full and drifting into the pads. Nissanka shuffles across for the flick, fails to make contact, but it clips the front pad and evades the keeper’s dive to his left, running away fine to the deep fine leg fence.

On a length, just outside off, Nissanka presses forward and eases it to cover.

Good-length delivery, angling in, on off and middle. Nissanka rolls his wrists and flicks it toward the left of square leg for a brace.

Full, on off, Mishara defends it down.

Fuller, angling in, Mishara fends it back to the bowler.

On a hard length, outside off, Mishara looks to cut it on his back foot but misses.

On a length, on leg, Nissanka nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Gloriously driven! On a length, outside off. Nissanka plants his front foot toward the delivery and drives it through the gap of cover and point. The cover fielder, Jacob Bethell, tracks back and dives to flick it back, but he does not lay his hand on the ball, and it rolls away to the fence.

Full, on middle, Nissanka blocks it down.

A pretty decent first over. But the surface already looks on the slower side. There was not much bounce on offer for Overton. Sam Curran will operate from the opposite end.

FOUR! EDGED AND AWAY! On a hard length, pitching it just outside off, and it stays very low on the bounce, almost dies on the batter. Kamil throws his hands to cut it square, only to find a thick inside edge that dies on its way to the keeper. Jos Buttler lunges to his left, but the ball drops short of his gloves and escapes to the deep third boundary.

Back of a length, around off, Mishara defends it in front.

Jamie Overton switches his side and bowls around the wicket to the left-hander. He pitches hard on the back of a length and swings it away from the batter. Mishara looks to cut it but misses the connction.

Short again, outside off, Nissanka cuts it toward the backward point fielder. The fielder gets some hands to half stop and the batter gets a single.

Full-length delivery, on off, angling in. Pathum Nissanka strides out and defends it right under his eyesight.

Sri Lanka are underway! Overton starts off with a bouncer, on off and middle. Nissanka hangs on his back foot and pulls it down toward the deep square leg region for a brace.

Done with all the pre-match rituals and it is now time to get going in this ODI series. Thankfully, the skies are clear in Colombo. It is bright and sunny out there in the Sri Lankan capital city. The umpires and players head out to the middle. Brook leads his troops out as the English players spread across the field and take their spots. Pathum Nissanka is accompanied by Kamil Mishara to open for Sri Lanka. Jamie Overton has the new ball and is all set to get us underway with the first over. A slip in place. Nissanka to take the strike. The countdown is done, and 'Let's Play' says the umpire!

Just a few minutes away from the start. But before that, both teams have lined up for their respective national anthems. It will be England's first, followed by that of the Sri Lankan national anthem.

PITCH REPORT - Steve Harmison reports that the weather is clear and conditions are ideal for cricket. Says that the square boundaries measure 62 and 64 metres, and the surface looks in excellent shape with a touch of grass left on to bind it together. He feels the ball should come nicely onto the bat early on, but as the match wears on, the pitch is expected to slow up and test the batters, allowing the spinners to come into play. Shares that the average first innings score at the venue is 223, though he believes it could be higher in these conditions.

The captain of England, Harry Brook, says that they would have batted first as well, but tells it is what it is and they will try to restrict Sri Lanka to a chaseable total. Admits that Sri Lanka have been a strong side at home and they are looking forward to the challenge they will present. Informs that Rehan Ahmed comes in the side, as Will Jacks is out of the pre-announced XI due to illness.

The captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka notes that the surface looks in good condition and the idea is to post a strong total. He adds that Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have been rested with the World Cup in mind, with Dhananjaya de Silva coming into the side after a long time. Asalanka also points out that the team has been performing consistently well, barring the recent tour of Pakistan, and the focus is on carrying forward the same momentum.

UPDATE - Important news coming in from the English camp as there has been a late change in their playing XI. Will Jacks has been ruled out of the first ODI due to illness. Rehan Ahmed gets a go-ahead for the series opener.

England (Playing XI) - Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler(WK), Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, and Adil Rashid.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Sri Lanka and they have opted to BAT first.

Sri Lanka have turned home conditions into a stronghold in the ODI format since July 2021. Series after series, they have stood their ground, going nearly five years without a single home defeat and stacking up 12 straight bilateral series wins against a range of opponents. England, meanwhile, arrive carrying the weight of recent struggles. Results have gone against them far more often than not, with only one ODI series win since September 2023 and the scars of stinging defeats. This contest, then, is about more than just points or rankings. Sri Lanka will be determined to protect what has become an unbreachable fortress, while England step in searching for a reset, a response and a revival. Toss and teams coming up shortly.

It has been more than a decade since Sri Lanka last won a bilateral ODI series at home against England, with that success coming in the memorable 2014-15 series, which featured seven ODIs. Charith Asalanka, despite being relieved of the T20 World Cup captaincy, returns to lead the side, as the selectors also recall Dushmantha Chameera and Dhananjaya de Silva after their recent absence from the 50-over setup. Chameera’s comeback adds extra edge to a pace attack featuring Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, and Eshan Malinga, while the batting looks settled with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis at the top and Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis anchoring the middle. The all round strength remains a key pillar for Sri Lanka, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, and de Silva, who also offer threatening spin variations.

Since that high point, England’s grip on the format has loosened drastically. Results have slipped away, and by 2026, they find themselves languishing as low as eighth in the ICC rankings. The period has also been marked by a transition in leadership. After the Stokes chapter, the baton has now been passed on, with a new phase beginning under Harry Brook as England look to rediscover their identity in the 50-over format. Following tradition, England have announced their XI, a familiar one to the Ashes, as six of their top seven batters played in the recent Sydney Test. The exception is Jos Buttler, while the side features Sam Curran and Jamie Overton as bona fide all-rounders. Given the expected slow pitch at Khettarama, England have opted for two specialist spinners in Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid.

Though these two sides have crossed paths regularly at World Cups and in multi-nation tournaments, this marks their first bilateral ODI series since the 2018-19 season. The wait, quite clearly, has been a long one. Back then, it was the touring English side that had the final say, stamping their authority over the hosts. That series was led by none other than Eoin Morgan, a captain who defined their fearless approach and presided over the format’s most dominant phase in the ODIs for the Three Lions, gracing it with a World Cup victory in 2019.

New day. New series. Cricket is just unstoppable. But who’s complaining, eh? From a different corner of the globe, a fresh series is about to set its sail as Sri Lanka host England for a thrilling white-ball series. It all starts with three highly anticipated ODIs before the teams begin their final dress rehearsal with the T20I series for the upcoming T20 World Cup. But for now, let’s focus on the longer format. Hello and welcome to our coverage of this first ODI from the historic R. Premadasa Stadium of Colombo. Should be a cracker. So hop along for this exciting ride in the island nation.

... MATCH DAY ...

As the Australian summer and the sub-continental winter come to an end, the preparations for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup are in full swing. England now travel to one of the host countries, Sri Lanka, for a white-ball series. First up, we will have three ODIs, all to be played at the iconic R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The last time these two teams faced each other in the ODI format was back in late 2023, in the ODI World Cup, a game that Sri Lanka won quite comprehensively. Also, the last ODI series these sides played, it resulted in 3-0 losses for both of them. The Lankans were beaten by Pakistan last November and England saw one of their worst-ever batting performances in an ODI series as they were hammered by the Kiwis at home. This series serves as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start a new era, one that might be crucial in the lead up to the ODI World Cup next year. For England, this isn't just a friendly series. After a dismal 2025 in the 50-over format, winning just 4 of their 15 matches, England find themselves in a precarious position regarding automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. Currently clinging to a narrow lead over the West Indies in the ICC rankings, Harry Brook’s side needs wins to avoid the embarrassment of a qualifying tournament. Further pressure sits on the leadership. Following a difficult Ashes campaign, captain Harry Brook and coach Brendon McCullum are under the microscope. The recall of Zak Crawley after more than 700 days out of the ODI side suggests a team still searching for its best identity in this format. The hosts, on the other hand, are looking to build on their consistency under Charith Asalanka. Sri Lanka has named a balanced 17-member squad, retaining 14 players from their most recent series. With the T20 World Cup being co-hosted by Sri Lanka next month, these ODIs at the Premadasa are vital for adapting to the slow, turning tracks that will define the upcoming global tournament. With Jofra Archer sidelined due to injury, the pace attack relies on Brydon Carse and Luke Wood. Joe Root provides the veteran stability in a middle order that includes the explosive Jacob Bethell, fresh off a promising Ashes debut. Sri Lanka have loaded their squad with spin options, including Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, and Jeffrey Vandersay. On a Colombo pitch, England’s ability to sweep and rotate strike against this quartet will decide the match. The R. Premadasa Stadium is a traditional sub-continent surface. Expect it to be slow and low, offering significant assistance to spinners as the game progresses. With an afternoon start, the toss could be crucial as teams often prefer to bat first to avoid the wear and tear of the pitch in the second innings, though dew can sometimes play a factor late in the evening. Sri Lanka enters as the slight favourites given their familiarity with the conditions and England's recent struggles in the 50-over format. However, if England's aggressive approach can put the Sri Lankan spinners under early pressure, they could silence the Colombo crowd. Who do you reckon will come out on top?