Sri Lanka vs England Highlights, 1st ODI: Updates from Colombo

Another defeat for England in the ODI format exposes the ongoing middle-order inconsistencies. They will need to work hard to tighten the loose ends, with the batting heavily reliant on Joe Root and, to some extent, Harry Brook. Sri Lanka take an early lead in the 3-match series by 1-0 and would hope that they seal the series in the 2nd ODI itself. It will be played on Saturday, 24th January and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT). But our buildup will begin well in advance. Until then, cheers.

The victorious captain of Sri Lanka, CHARITH ASALANKA, is all smiles as he now walks up for a chat. He says he is not overly worried but stresses that there are areas to improve, particularly in pace bowling. He adds that otherwise the team performed well. He notes that in the first 25 overs, the ball would not spin, so he instructed the bowlers to keep it tight. Adds that after the 25th over, the ball started to turn, and the spinners bowled effectively. Asalanka highlights Wellalage’s contribution, saying that although he didn’t get much time with the bat, he still caused significant damage, took two wickets, and took a couple of good catches. He also mentions that he enjoys bowling, having bowled quite a bit over the past two years.

The captain of England, HARRY BROOK, reflects on the defeat. Begins by saying that the toss proved crucial in the end, but credits Sri Lanka for playing a better game and that they deserved the victory. He adds that England bowled well, particularly the spinners, but Sri Lanka got the better of them in the final over, which can happen in ODI cricket. He praises the Sri Lankan side, noting their spinners used the pitch to their advantage and executed a very good game plan. Brook also highlights the contributions of Duckett and Root, who batted well despite a tricky start on a difficult wicket. He admits that losing a few quick wickets in the middle overs put England on the back foot.

Sri Lanka's DUNITH WELLALAGE is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round performance. He says that when he came to the middle he wanted to support Kusal Mendis, who was batting really well. In the last three overs, he adds, they focused on scoring as many runs as possible. He stresses that the most important aspects of his bowling were pace variations and maintaining the right line.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Sri Lanka piled on a competitive total, comfortably surpassing the Premadasa average of 223 to take early command in this series opener. After handy starts from Nissanka and Mishara, the innings was shaped by Kusal Mendis, who stood firm with a determined unbeaten 93, steadying the ship as wickets fell and forging a crucial 88-run stand for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage. Even while nursing a back niggle, Mendis batted through the innings, and a late flourish from Dunith Wellalage pushed the hosts beyond 270 and into a strong position. For England, barring Adil Rashid, who took a brilliant 3-for, nobody could actually pick wickets at crucial moments. 

England were dead and buried with the final rites being read, but Jamie Overton refused to surrender. Everyone knows the raw power this man wields with the bat. With hopes hanging by a thread, he took on the Sri Lankan pacers and sent a few soaring over the ropes, clawing back some respectability to the margin. The task was monumental and, in the end, Sri Lanka slammed the door shut. Still, the contest stretched all the way to the final over, and Overton offered a vivid reminder of England’s batting depth. If just someone from the middle order had risen to the occasion, who knows how different the ending might have been for England.

Root was stubborn, picking off singles and sneaking the occasional boundary, while Duckett bided his time before unleashing his signature flair. Together, they stitched a 117-run alliance, which was a template in strangling the middle overs and keeping Sri Lanka at bay. Then came the first hammerblow with Duckett out for 62 and the wobble began. The real hammerblow landed on England when Vandersay fished out Root for 61 and from that moment, England’s chase nosedived spectacularly. Wickets tumbled like dominoes with Brook, Bethell, and Buttler falling one after another. A chase that was once under control turned into anything but, with England sliding from a commanding 129/1 to 213/9.

England couldn't have gotten off to a worse start as they lost Zak Crawley inside the first three overs. The pitch was on the slower side, and it got a bit more sluggish with a few balls not rising up from the same lengths. So it required a lot more watchfulness and respect by playing through the line of the ball rather than cross-batted strokes. Ben Duckett struggled to time the ball for most of his innings, but Root showed the right temperament to bat on such tracks. The key here was spin. It was always going to be a huge difference maker on a pitch like this. 

How the tables have turned! Sri Lanka were desperate for wickets while Joe Root and Ben Duckett were building a massive partnership and keeping England in control. But the hosts showed exactly why they are so formidable on home soil. They made the most of bowling under the lights on a slow surface, and one of the standout features was their sharp fielding, which turned pressure into wickets and helped them seize control of the game. Cast your minds back to the last over of the first innings. Jamie Overton went for 23 runs, a costly over that stretched the margin and ultimately made all the difference in the final outcome.

49.2: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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!

49.1: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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. 

48.6: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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. 

48.5: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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! 

48.4: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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.

48.3: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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.

48.2: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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. 

48.2: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, WIDE! Oh dear! Kilometers outside the guideline, a leg cutter, on a good length. Overton lets it be. 

48.1: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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.

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

47.5: Pramod Madushan to Adil Rashid, 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. 

47.5: Pramod Madushan to Adil Rashid, WIDE! Misses his radar completely. Slow and wide, miles outside the tramline on the off side. Adil ignores. Wide called. 

47.4: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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. 

47.3: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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!

47.3: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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. 

47.2: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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!

47.1: Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, 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. 

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

46.5: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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. 

46.4: Asitha Fernando to Adil Rashid, 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.

46.3: Asitha Fernando to Adil Rashid, 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. 

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

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

46.1: Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, 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. 

45.6: Pramod Madushan to Adil Rashid, Full and outside off, Adil Rashid drives it straight to cover.

45.5: Pramod Madushan to Adil Rashid, Nails the yorker in, on off, Adil squeezes it out to point. 

Adil Rashid is the last man in for England. 

45.4: Pramod Madushan to Liam Dawson, 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.

45.3: Pramod Madushan to Liam Dawson, 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.

45.2: Pramod Madushan to Jos Buttler, 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. 

45.1: Pramod Madushan to Jos Buttler, 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. 

45.1: Pramod Madushan to Jos Buttler, WIDE! Almost an action-replay of the previous ball. Way down leg, full, he misses the flick. 

45.1: Pramod Madushan to Jos Buttler, WIDE! Down leg, full in length, Buttler skips down the track but misses the flick. Wide called. 

44.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jamie Overton, A touch full, outside off, carved out to cover by Jamie. 

Jamie Overton is in at number 9.

44.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, 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.

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

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

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

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

43.6: Asitha Fernando to Rehan Ahmed, 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!

43.5: Asitha Fernando to Rehan Ahmed, 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. 

43.4: Asitha Fernando to Rehan Ahmed, 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. 

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

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

43.2: Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler, 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...

43.1: Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler, 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. 

42.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, 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.

42.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, 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.

42.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, BEATEN! Pitched on middle, it grips and spins square, across the batter, and beats Rehan's attempted slog sweep. 

42.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, Short again, outside off, Rehan knocks it away, but finds cover. 

42.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler, Short, outside off, Buttler rocks back and punches it wide of cover for a single.

42.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, Flat and full, outside off, smashed down to long off for a single. 

41.6: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, 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.

41.5: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, 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. 

41.4: Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Short, on off, Buttler hangs deep in the crease and steers it to deep cover for a single. 

41.3: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, Pitched full, on leg, driven down to long on for a single. 

41.2: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, 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!

41.1: Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Short and around off, Buttler punches it down to long off for a single.

40.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler, 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. 

40.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler, 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.

40.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, Short, outside off, Rehan Ahmed cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. 

40.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, 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. 

40.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, 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. 

40.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Rehan Ahmed, Full, outside off, Rehan gets on his front foot and defends it away. 

39.6: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, Short, outside off, Rehan punches it a bit upishly toward deep cover and gets a single. 

39.5: Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Short, on middle, Jos punches it to long off for a single. 

39.4: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, Short, on off, Rehan punches it off the back foot to cover for one. 

39.3: Dunith Wellalage to Rehan Ahmed, 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.

39.2: Dunith Wellalage to Sam Curran, 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.

39.1: Dunith Wellalage to Sam Curran, A touch fuller, outside off, Sam crouches a bit low and cuts it through cover-point for a couple of runs. 

38.6: Charith Asalanka to Sam Curran, Short, on leg, Sam pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 

38.5: Charith Asalanka to Sam Curran, Shortish, outside off, Sam punches it from his back foot to cover. 

38.4: Charith Asalanka to Sam Curran, Short, on off, Sam pushes it to cover. 

38.3: Charith Asalanka to Jos Buttler, Fuller, on off, Jos flicks it from his back foot to mid-wicket for one. 

38.2: Charith Asalanka to Sam Curran, Fuller, on middle, Sam flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. 

38.1: Charith Asalanka to Sam Curran, Short, on off, Sam fends it to cover. 

37.6: Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Full, outside off, Jos drives it to mid off. 

37.5: Dunith Wellalage to Sam Curran, Short, outside off, Sam punches it to long on for a single. 

37.4: Dunith Wellalage to Sam Curran, Short, on off, Curran dabs it to cover. 

37.3: Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, 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.

37.2: Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Full, on off, Jos flicks it to square leg for a single. 

37.1: Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Full, around off, Buttler defends it down. 

36.6: Charith Asalanka to Jacob Bethell, Short, around off, Jacob fends it away. 

36.5: Charith Asalanka to Jos Buttler, Full, on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to cover for a single. 

36.5: Charith Asalanka to Harry Brook, 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. 

36.4: Charith Asalanka to Harry Brook, Short, just outside off, turning in, Brook defends it to the off side. 

36.3: Charith Asalanka to Harry Brook, Fuller, on off, Brook comes down the track and blocks it down. 

36.2: Charith Asalanka to Jacob Bethell, 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. 

36.1: Charith Asalanka to Harry Brook, 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.

35.6: Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, Fullish, outside off, Jacob eases it to short extra cover for no runs. 

35.5: Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, Full, on middle and leg, Harry tuks it to deep suqare leg for a comfortable single. 

35.4: Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, Fullish, around off, Brook leans on the delivery and defends it down. 

35.3: Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, Short around off, Harry Brook fends it to cover. 

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

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

34.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Jacob Bethell, Fuller, with some flight, outside off, Jacob leans on the delivery and pushes it to short extra cover. 

34.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Jacob Bethell, Short, outside off, Jacob drives it to extra cover.

34.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Jacob Bethell, 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!

34.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob drives it gently to cover. 

34.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Brook, Tossed up, fuller, on off, Harry comes down the track and drives it to long on for a single. 

34.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Brook, 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.

33.6: Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, Full, around off, Jacob pushes it to cover. 

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

33.4: Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob pushes it to cover. 

33.3: Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, Full, outside off, Jacob Bethell tucks it to mid-wicket. 

33.2: Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, 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.

33.1: Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, Short, around off, Brook punches it toward wide long off for a single. 

32.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Brook, 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!

32.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Harry Brook, 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.

32.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, 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. 

32.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Fuller, around leg, Joe flicks it to short fine leg. 

32.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Short, on leg, Root misses his flick and wears on his front pad. 

32.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Full, middle, Root drives it to short mid-wicket. 

31.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob defends it down. 

31.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, 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.

31.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Short, around off, Jacob leaves it alone to the keeper. 

31.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Full, on leg, Root clips it to deep square leg for a single. 

31.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, 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.

31.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Tossed up, just outside off, Root lunges and drives to long off for a single. 

30.6: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Short, on leg, Root nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

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

30.4: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Full, on middle, Joe sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. 

30.3: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Fuller, just outside the leg stump, Root misses his flick and the ball pings on his pad. 

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

30.1: Charith Asalanka to Jacob Bethell, 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.

29.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, 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. 

29.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, A leg break, short and outside off, Jacob rocks back and knocks it to short cover.

29.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Draws the front foot forward and forces the full ball to extra cover. 

29.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Nice and full, pushed through, on off, blocked off.

29.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Full and wide outside off, Jacob is sucked into the front foot drive, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker. 

29.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Much fuller, on middle, drilled back to the bowler. 

29.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, WIDE! Spins sharply down leg, on a fuller length. Left alone by Bethell. 

28.6: Charith Asalanka to Jacob 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. 

28.5: Charith Asalanka to Jacob Bethell, Flat and full, on off, Bethell presents full face and drives it straight to cover. 

28.4: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Full on middle, Root clips it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a single. 

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

28.2: Charith Asalanka to Jacob Bethell, 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. 

28.1: Charith Asalanka to Jacob Bethell, Arm ball, full and on off, Jacob prods forward and blocks it back to the bowler. 

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

27.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, 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. 

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

27.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, Too full, on off, Bethell drills it through wide mid on for a single and gets off the mark. 

27.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Jacob Bethell, 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.

27.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, 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. 

26.6: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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.

26.5: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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.

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

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

26.2: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, Short of a good length, on middle, Root tucks it through widish mid-wicket for a single. 

26.1: Asitha Fernando to Ben Duckett, 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.

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

25.5: Kamil Mishara to Ben Duckett, 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.

25.4: Kamil Mishara to Ben Duckett, Outside off, tossed up on a fuller length, driven hard off the front foot to cover.

25.3: Kamil Mishara to Ben Duckett, Into the blockhole, around off, carved away to short cover.

25.2: Kamil Mishara to Joe Root, Full and down leg, swept to deep backward square leg for a single. 

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

24.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, 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. 

24.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, 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. 

24.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, Short, on middle, Duckett rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

24.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, 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. 

24.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Leg break, short, on middle, Root hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a single. 

24.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Draws his front foot ahead and drives the full ball to cover. 

23.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Drags the length back, short, outside off, Duckett slaps it with a cross bat but finds the fielder at cover-point. 

23.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Hangs it up there, full and on the stumps. Ben defends it out to extra cover.

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

23.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Lands it full, around off, Root lunges with a huge stride and eases it to short cover. 

23.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Shade short, on middle, Root hangs back and nudges it to short mid-wicket. 

23.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Around off, tossed fuller, Root drives it to mid off.

22.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, Around the legs, clipped to mid-wicket with soft hands.

22.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Full on middle, clipped to the leg side for a single.

22.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, 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.

22.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Tight leave! On a length, outside off, Root makes a watchful leave.

22.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, 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.

22.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Serves it full, outside off, Root drives inside out to deep cover and strolls for a single. 

21.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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. 

21.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Targets the stumps, on a fuller length, Ben gets on the front foot and smothers the spin. 

21.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Full, on the stumps, Root runs it down to long on for a single. 

21.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Drops it around middle and leg, Joe tries to flick the full ball to the leg side, but gets a leading edge to cover.

21.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Pushed fuller, on middle, Joe eases it back to the bowler. 

21.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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. 

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

20.5: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, Looped fuller, outside leg, Ben brooms it to deep backward square leg for another single. 

20.4: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Short, on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one more. 

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

20.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, He flicks this full ball into the mid-wicket pocket for a single. 

20.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, 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.

19.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Pitches it up, fuller, on leg, Root tucks it to square leg. 

19.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Fuller, around off, Ben drives it toward the right of the diving cover fielder who makes half stop and the batter gets a single. 

19.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, A touch shorter, just outside off, Ben bunts it to cover-point. 

19.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Flat and fuller, on off, Ben leans on the delivery pressing forward and eases it to mid on for no runs. 

19.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Full, on off, Ben defends it back to the bowler. 

19.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, 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.

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

18.5: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Short, around off, Ben knocks it to long on for one. 

18.4: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, 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.

18.3: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, 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. 

18.2: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Pitches it up, on middle, Ben defends it to his front foot. 

18.1: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Fuller, around the pads of the batter, Ben flicks it toward square leg. 

17.6: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, Short, around off, Ben punches it to sweeper cover for one more single. 

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

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

17.3: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, Fuller, outside off, turning it away, Joe prods and drives it through cover for a single. 

17.2: Jeffrey Vandersay to Ben Duckett, Full, on middle, Duckett strides out and tucks it to mid-wicket for a single. 

17.1: Jeffrey Vandersay to Joe Root, 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.

16.6: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Tossed up, much fuller, just outside off, Root drives it to mid off for a single. 

16.5: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Fuller, around the pads, Ben flicks it to sqaure leg for a single. 

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

16.3: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Short, on off, Root dabs it to cover point for a single. 

16.2: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Fuller, on off, Root pushes it back to the bowler. 

16.1: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, 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.

15.6: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, 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.

15.5: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, Fuller, around off, Ben lunges and defends it in front.

15.4: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, 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. 

15.3: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Flat and much fuller, on middle, Joe hangs back and flicks it to square leg for a single. 

15.2: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, 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!

15.1: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, Fuller, on middle, Ben flicks it to mid-wicket for no runs. 

14.6: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Fullish, around off, Ben pushes it through cover for a comfortable single. 

14.5: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, 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. 

14.4: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Flat and fuller, on middle, Root nudges it from his front foot to mid on. 

14.3: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Full, on off, Root pushes it to short extra cover. 

14.2: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Short, around off, Root fends it to the cover fielder. 

14.1: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Shortish, on off and middle, Root defends it on his back foot. 

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

13.5: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, Fuller, on leg, Ben flicks it to square leg for one. 

13.4: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Short, around middle, Root clips it to square leg for one

13.3: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, 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. 

13.2: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, 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. 

13.1: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, Fuller, around off, Root drives it to cover. 

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

12.5: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, 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. 

12.4: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Full, just outside off, Root eases it to the off side. 

12.3: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Tossed up, on off, Root defends it to his front. 

12.2: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, 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. 

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

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

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

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

11.3: Charith Asalanka to Ben Duckett, Fuller, around the pads of the batter. Ben flicks it to square leg for a single. 

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

11.1: Charith Asalanka to Joe Root, 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. 

10.6: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, Fuller, around off, Root pushes it to cover-point and gets a single. 

10.5: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Short, on leg, Ben flicks it through square leg for a single. 

10.4: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Fuller, just outside the leg stump. Ben looks to reverse sweep it but fails to get the connection. 

10.3: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, Fuller, on leg, Ben tucks it to short mid-wicket. 

10.2: Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett, 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. 

10.1: Dunith Wellalage to Joe Root, 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.

9.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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.

9.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Much fuller, on leg, Root flicks it wide of mid-wicket for one more.

9.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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.

9.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, On middle, sliding across the batter, Joe hangs back and punches it wide of cover for a quick single. 

9.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Outside leg, on a fuller length, nurdled off the back foot to square leg. 

9.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Full and across off, from around the stumps, Root flicks it to mid-wicket. 

8.6: Pramod Madushan to Joe Root, 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. 

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

8.4: Pramod Madushan to Joe Root, 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. 

8.3: Pramod Madushan to Joe Root, Full and on middle, Joe gets on the front foot and drills it straight to mid off. 

8.2: Pramod Madushan to Joe Root, 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. 

8.1: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, 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.

7.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Pitched outside leg, on a fuller length, Root tries to reverse sweep, but misses and the ball thuds the front pad. 

7.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, Nice and full, on middle, flicked away to mid-wicket. 

7.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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. 

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

7.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Full and on off, at 81 kph, Ben gets forward and taps it gently back to the bowler. 

7.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, 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.

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

6.5: Asitha Fernando to Ben Duckett, 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. 

6.4: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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. 

6.3: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, Full and on middle, angling in. Root flicks off the pads to square leg.

6.2: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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. 

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

5.6: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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. 

5.5: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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. 

5.4: Dhananjaya de Silva to Joe Root, 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. 

5.3: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, Shortish, outside off, Ben Duckett backs away and slaps it through cover for a single. 

5.2: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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. 

5.1: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ben Duckett, 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.

4.6: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, Touch full, around off, Joe knocks it to cover, playing it off the front foot. 

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

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

4.3: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, Nips in from off, on a good length. Root defends it right under the bat.

4.2: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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.

4.1: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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.

3.6: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, 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.

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

3.4: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, 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. 

3.3: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, Nips away this time, fullish and around off, Ben blocks it solidly to the off side. 

3.2: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, 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. 

3.1: Pramod Madushan to Joe Root, 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. 

2.6: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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. 

2.6: Asitha Fernando to Joe Root, 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.

2.5: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, 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.

2.4: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, 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. 

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

2.2: Asitha Fernando to Ben Duckett, In front of the stumps, on a good length, Duckett rocks back and bunts it down the pitch.

2.1: Asitha Fernando to Ben Duckett, 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.

1.6: Pramod Madushan to Zak Crawley, 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!

1.5: Pramod Madushan to Zak Crawley, 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. 

1.4: Pramod Madushan to Zak Crawley, 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. 

1.3: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, 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. 

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

1.1: Pramod Madushan to Ben Duckett, 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. 

0.6: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, 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!

0.5: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, 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. 

0.4: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, 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. 

0.3: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, Straight and full, at 133 kph, around off, Zak leans forward and drives it straight to mid off. 

0.2: Asitha Fernando to Zak Crawley, 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. 

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

Welcome back for England's reply with the bat. Asalanka leads his troops out, as the Sri Lankan players scatter across the park and take their respective fielding positions. The lights have taken effect at the R. Premadasa Stadium as the two English openers - Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett - walk out to the crease. Asitha Fernando has the new ball and is raring to go. Crawley to face. Here we go again!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

With 272 target set, we can say that the Lankans' plan to bat first has somewhat worked for them. Now it would be interesting to see how they will shape their strategy with their bowling unit in the second inning. On the other hand, if the English openers have a cautious start, just like Sri Lanka's openers did, it might turn out to be dangerous for the host. The conditions. looked slowish, and under the lights, it might not improve and get much slower ahead. It looks like a chaseable total, but England will have to bat intelligently. The second inning will commence in some time, so refill your snacks and join us in a bit!

Despite the sudden loss of two back-to-back wickets in the span of three overs after the Powerplay, Kusal Mendis displayed remarkable grit and resilience. Unfortunately, he lacked the support he desperately needed until Janith Liyanage walked up to the crease. Together, they expertly stabilized the innings, adding an impressive 88 runs to the total. However, Rashid proved his mettle once again by breaking their partnership in the 43rd over. Nevertheless, Mendis continued his innings but played selflessly despite struggling with back issues. He intended to stay till the end, and with the help of Dunith's quickfire of 25 runs in 12 balls, the Lankans managed to post a total of 270 runs on the board. From England's pov, the spinners choked the scoring to some extent, sharing five of the six wickets, with Adil Rashid being the linchpin. 

The first inning of this contest unfolded like a gripping tug-of-war, showcasing an intense battle for momentum, and it’s clear that the game hangs in the balance. The Sri Lankan openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, established a formidable partnership, demonstrating solid technique and patience throughout the first Powerplay, skillfully avoiding any risky shots. Just as their collaboration reached the milestone of 50 runs, Nissanka was cleverly outsmarted by Sam Curran's slower delivery, and not long after, Mishara fell victim to Adil Rashid. 

49.6: Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage, 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!

49.5: Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage, 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.

49.4: Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage, 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.

49.3: Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage, 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.

49.2: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, Short and around off, this is slapped past the bowler with a flat bat, to the right of mid off, for a single. 

49.2: Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage, 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.

49.1: Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage, 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...

48.6: Sam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, 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.

48.5: Sam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, 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. 

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

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

48.3: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Miles outside off, on a good length, beyond the tramline. Mendis ignores. Wide called. 

48.2: Sam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, Nails in the yorker, on off, Dunith carves it out to extra cover for a quick single. 

48.1: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

47.6: Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage, 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. 

47.5: Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage, On middle and short, Dunith goes on the back foot and steers it to mid-wicket. 

47.4: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Short, on leg, Kusal tucks it to deep mid-wicket for an easy solo. 

47.3: Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage, 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.

47.2: Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, 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.

47.1: Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, 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. 

46.6: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

46.5: Jamie Overton to Pavan Rathnayake, Back of a length, on top of middle, Pavan mistimes his pull shot over mid-wicket for a single. 

46.4: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

46.3: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Clever batting! Full, outside off, Kusal shuffles across off and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary. 

46.2: Jamie Overton to Pavan Rathnayake, Length ball, outside off, Pavan punches it away to deep cover for a single. 

46.1: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

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

45.5: Rehan Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, Full again, outside off, Pavan drives it along the ground to deep extra cover for a single. 

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

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

45.2: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Mendis sweeps it to deep square leg's left for a single. 

45.1: Rehan Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, 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. 

44.6: Adil Rashid to Pavan Rathnayake, Flat and much fuller, on leg, Pavan drives it to the left of the bowler and gets a single. 

44.5: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Short, on middle, Mendis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

44.4: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Short, on off, Mendis pushes it to cover. 

44.3: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, A touch fuller, outside off, Mendis tries to sweep it across the line, but gets beaten. 

44.2: Adil Rashid to Pavan Rathnayake, Tossed up, on off, Pavan skips down the track and works it to long on for a single. 

44.1: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, on off, Mendis pushes it to long off for one. 

43.6: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

43.5: Rehan Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, Full and wide outside off, Pavan drives it to deep cover for one. 

43.4: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, A touch short, on off, Kusal dabs it to deep cover for a single. 

43.3: Rehan Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, Full and outside off. Pavan pushes it to long on for a single. 

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

43.1: Rehan Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, Full, outside off, Pavan drives it to deep cover for a single. 

42.6: Adil Rashid to Pavan Rathnayake, 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.

42.5: Adil Rashid to Janith Liyanage, 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.

42.4: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Mendis drives it to long off for one. 

42.3: Adil Rashid to Janith Liyanage, Short, wide outside off, Janith cuts it to deep cover for one. 

42.2: Adil Rashid to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

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

41.6: Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, 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.

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

41.4: Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, With pace this time, fuller, on off, Janith dabs it to cover. 

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

41.2: Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, On a length, around off, Janith drives it to the sweeper cover for a single. 

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

40.6: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, Short, outside off, Janith punches it to deep cover for a single. 

40.5: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Leg break, full and on leg, swept to deep backward square leg for a single. 

40.4: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Short, on off, Mendis defends it to cover. 

40.3: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

40.2: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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.

40.1: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

39.6: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Flat and short, outside off, Janith smacks it hard off the back foot. Finds the fielder again. Brook it is, at cover.  

39.5: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, 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.

39.4: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Slides on with the arm, touch short, on leg, Liyanage tucks it to short mid-wicket. 

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

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

39.1: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Nicely looped up, at 86 kph, full on off, Mendis pushes it out to cover.

38.6: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

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

38.4: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

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

38.2: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

38.1: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, Slow bouncer, on off, Mendis prepares himself to pull, but gets totally deceived. 

37.6: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, 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).

37.5: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, 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.

37.4: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, Full and at 88 kph, around off, dabbed off the back foot to short third. 

37.3: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, 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.

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

37.1: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, 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.

36.6: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, On a nagging length, around off, Mendis knocks it getting half forward to cover.

36.5: Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, Another slower one, full on the stumps, this is clipped through square leg for an easy single. 

36.4: Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

36.3: Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

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

36.1: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, Slids in from a length, Mendis blocks with a straight bat.

35.6: Jacob Bethell to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

35.5: Jacob Bethell to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

35.4: Jacob Bethell to Janith Liyanage, Turns away from off, full, Janith defends it off the outside edge to point. 

35.3: Jacob Bethell to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

35.2: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, Touch full, around off, Mendis gets on the front foot and slices it through point for an easy single. 

35.1: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, full and on the pads, Mendis nudges it to short mid-wicket. 

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

34.5: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, 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.

34.4: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Pushed fuller, on middle, Kusal leans on and smothers the spin. 

34.3: Adil Rashid to Janith Liyanage, Short, on middle, Janith gets across and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

34.2: Adil Rashid to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

34.1: Adil Rashid to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

33.6: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Too full, on middle, this is clipped past square leg for a single. 

33.5: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Lands it full and around off, Janith advances down the track and drives it inside out, but finds the fielder at extra cover.

33.4: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

33.3: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Short, on leg, Janith goes deep inside the crease and punches it to long on for a single. 

33.2: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, More flight offered, full and on the stumps, forced straight back at the bowler. 27 balls since the last boundary for Sri Lanka!

33.1: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Pushed full and on the pads, Janith flicks it to short mid-wicket. 

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

32.5: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

32.4: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, Too flat and quick, outside off, Kusal cuts it to backward point. 

32.3: Jacob Bethell to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

32.2: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, Short, outside off, this is punched off the back foot to deep cover for a single. 150 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

32.1: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, 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.

31.6: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

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

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

31.3: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Flat and short, on middle, Liyanage rocks back and tucks it down to long on for a single. 

31.2: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, Full, around off, pushed to mid off.

31.1: Liam Dawson to Janith Liyanage, 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.

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

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

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

30.3: Jacob Bethell to Janith Liyanage, 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. 

30.2: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

30.1: Jacob Bethell to Kusal Mendis, 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.

29.6: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Back of a length, on middle. Janith Liyanage blocks it down. 

29.5: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Back of a length, on off, Janith Liyanage dabs it to the off side. 

29.4: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Full, on off, Janith eases it to the cover fielder. 

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

29.3: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Pitches it up, does Overton, on off, Janith defends it to down the deck.  

29.2: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, around off, Kusal bunts it to cover for a single. 

29.1: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Back of a length, on off, Janith pulls it gently through square leg for a single. 

28.6: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Flat and fuller, on off, Kusal pushes it to cover. 

28.5: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

28.4: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

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

28.2: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, on off, Kusal drives it to wide of cover for a single. 

28.1: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Mendis pushes it to cover. 

27.6: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Short of a length, angling in, Janith ducks under it and lets it travel to the keeper. 

27.5: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, On a hard length, on the stumps, Janith Liyanage fends it away. 

27.4: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Back of a length, on off, Janith dabs it back to the bowler. 

27.3: Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage, Fuller, around the pads of the batter, Janith flicks it to square leg. 

27.2: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, Short, on the stumps, Kusal nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. 

27.1: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, Bumper, just outside off, Kusal crouches low and makes a leave. 

26.6: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, Short, outside off, Janith punches it to cover. 

26.5: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, 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.

26.4: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, Nice and full, around off, Janith leans ahead and taps it to point. 

26.4: Rehan Ahmed to Janith Liyanage, 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.

26.3: Rehan Ahmed to Charith Asalanka, 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.

26.2: Rehan Ahmed to Charith Asalanka, 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. 

26.1: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Kusal drives it through cover for one. 

25.6: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, around off, Mendis fends it to cover-point for one. 

25.5: Jamie Overton to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

25.4: Jamie Overton to Charith Asalanka, 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. 

25.3: Jamie Overton to Charith Asalanka, Fuller, angling in on off, Asalanka defends it down. 

25.2: Jamie Overton to Charith Asalanka, 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. 

25.1: Jamie Overton to Charith Asalanka, 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.

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

24.5: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, angling in, on off, Kusal pushes it to cover. 

24.4: Rehan Ahmed to Charith Asalanka, Short, just outside off, Asalanka cuts it gently toward the left of the point fielder and gets a quick single. 

24.3: Rehan Ahmed to Charith Asalanka, Full, on off, Asalanka eases it to mid off. 

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

24.1: Rehan Ahmed to Charith Asalanka, 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. 

23.6: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, With some flight, fuller, on middle, Mendis lunges and pushes it to cover. 

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

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

23.3: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, A touch short, around off, Mendis punches it to sweeper cover for a single. 

23.2: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Mendis eases it to point. 

23.1: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

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

22.5: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Full, around off, Mendis eases it to point for no runs. 

22.4: Rehan Ahmed to Charith Asalanka, Fuller, on off, Asalanka shuffles a bit across the stump and sweeps it through backward square leg for a single. 

22.3: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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!

22.2: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Much fuller, on off, Kusal pushes it to the left of the bowler. 

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

21.6: Adil Rashid to Charith Asalanka, 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! 

21.5: Adil Rashid to Charith Asalanka, 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.

21.4: Adil Rashid to Charith Asalanka, 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. 

21.3: Adil Rashid to Charith Asalanka, 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.

21.2: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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.

21.1: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, on middle, de Silva brings his willow to the front fo his pad to defend it down. 

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

20.5: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Full, on off, Mendis eases it to extra cover. 

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

20.3: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, on off, Mendis leans on the delivery and defends it to the off side for no runs. 

20.2: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Flat and fuller, on off, Mendis drives it back to Dawson. 

20.1: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, 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.

19.6: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Lands it full and outside leg, Mendis sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.

19.5: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Stump-to-stump, blocked straight off the front foot. 

19.4: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, 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.

19.3: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, At 79 kph, this full and on middle, Mendis leans on and smothers the spin. 

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

19.1: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, 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.

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

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

18.4: Liam Dawson to Dhananjaya de Silva, At 91 kph, full around off, de Silva works it to mid on. 

18.3: Liam Dawson to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and quick, on the stumps, pushed back at the bowler. 

18.2: Liam Dawson to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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.

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

17.6: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Short, outside off, Mendis slaps it past cover-point for a single. 

17.5: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, 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.

17.4: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, Dropped short, outside off, slapped to the widish cover fielder for a single. 

17.3: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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. 

17.2: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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.

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

16.6: Liam Dawson to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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! 

16.5: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Full and straight, flat on off, Mendis works it down to long off for a single.

16.4: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, 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.

16.4: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, 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.

16.3: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, Full and outside off, driven off the front foot to short cover. Bethell dives and cuts it off to his right.

16.2: Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, At 88 kph, full and sliding on leg, Mendis taps it off the front foot to mid on.

16.1: Liam Dawson to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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.

15.6: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, Touch short, on the leg stump line, de Silva nudges it through square leg for a single. 

15.5: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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!

15.4: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, A googly, short, on off, de Silva watchfully blocks it in front. 

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

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

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

14.6: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Full and outside off, Kusal prods in front and drills it through mid off for a single. 10 off the over! 

14.5: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

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

14.3: Rehan Ahmed to Dhananjaya de Silva, Too full, on middle, de Silva sweeps it through square leg for a single. 

14.2: Rehan Ahmed to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full, on off, tapped out to point. 

14.1: Rehan Ahmed to Dhananjaya de Silva, Keeps it stump-to-stump, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it down the pitch.

13.6: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and wide outside off, de Silva pushes it to the left of cover for a single.

13.5: Adil Rashid to Dhananjaya de Silva, 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.

13.4: Adil Rashid to Kamil Mishara, 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.

13.3: Adil Rashid to Kamil Mishara, Full on the stumps, steered away to mid-wicket. 

13.2: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Full and on middle, Kusal sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

13.1: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Sliding onto the pads, full in length, Mendis tries to sweep, but gets a bottom edge to the keeper.

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

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

12.4: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Looped up, full and on off, Kusal presses forward and blocks.

12.3: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Slightly short, on off, Mendis hangs back and bunts it back to the bowler.

12.2: Rehan Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Nice and full, blocked into the off side.

12.1: Rehan Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Touch short, a googly, this is slapped to point for a single. 

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

11.6: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Lovely flight, full and on middle, defended watchfully by Mendis. 

11.5: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Full, on middle, blocked back at the bowler.

11.4: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Spins away from off, full in length, blocked off the front foot. More off the outside edge.

11.3: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, full and on off, Mendis eases it back to Rashid..

11.2: Adil Rashid to Kusal Mendis, Full, on middle, Mendis leans forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

11.1: Adil Rashid to Kamil Mishara, Short and spinning in, Mishara works it across to widish mid off for a single. 

10.6: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, Nice and full, at a gentle pace. Kusal presses in front and smothers the pace.

10.5: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, On middle, on a length, Kusal punches it to cover with soft hands.

10.4: Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, Length ball, around off, knocked off the back foot to cover.

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

10.3: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, 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.

10.2: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, Skids through from a fuller length, around the stump. Pathum drags the bat in front and blocks it down the pitch.

10.1: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, 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.

9.6: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller, on off, Nissanka prods and defends it to the off side. 

9.5: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, 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. 

9.4: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Short, around off, Nissanka gets on his back foot and punches it to cover. 

9.3: Liam Dawson to Kamil Mishara, Flat and fuller, around off, Nissanka sits down on one knee and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

9.2: Liam Dawson to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

9.1: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Fullish, just outside off, Nissanka shimmies down the track and drives it toward the right of the short extra cover for a single. 

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

8.5: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, Hard-length delivery, just outside off, Nissanka bunts it to cover-point and gets a single. 

8.4: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller, around off, Pathum drives it to the right of the mid off fielder. 

8.3: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, 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.   

8.2: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, Fuller, on off, Mishara leans on and drives it to the right of the mid off fielder and steals a single. 

8.1: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, 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.

7.6: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length, around off, Nissanka slaps it but finds the fielder in the point region. 

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

7.4: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller, around off, Nissanka drives it wide of mid off for a single. 

7.3: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, A touch shorter, angling in on leg, Nissanka camps back and nudges it to mid-wicket. 

7.2: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, fuller, on middle, Nissanka strides out and defends it back to the bowler. 

7.1: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Short, around the fifth stump. Nissanka punches it with cross bat to cover. 

6.6: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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!

6.5: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, Back of a length, outside off, Mishara gets on his toes and punches it to cover. 

6.4: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, Fuller, angling in, around middle, Mishara tucks it to mid-wicket. 

6.3: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, On a length, on off, Mishara dabs it to point. 

6.2: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

6.1: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, Full, around middle, Mishara nudges it to mid-wicket. 

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

5.6: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, 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.

5.5: Liam Dawson to Pathum Nissanka, Full, on middle, Nissanka rests it down. 

5.4: Liam Dawson to Kamil Mishara, Short, on the pads, Mishara nudges it to square leg for one. 

5.3: Liam Dawson to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

5.2: Liam Dawson to Kamil Mishara, A touch fuller, on leg, Mishara tucks it to mid on. 

5.1: Liam Dawson to Kamil Mishara, 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.

4.6: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, just outside off, Nissanka stabs it to cover from his back foot. 

4.5: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller, angling in, around off, Nissanka stabs it to cover for no runs. 

4.4: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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.

4.3: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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.

4.2: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, Back of a length again, on off, Mishara defends it on his back foot. 

4.1: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

3.6: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, Short of a good length, outside off, Mishara punches it through cover-point for an easy single.

3.5: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, Full, around off, Mishara pushes it to mid off. 

3.4: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, On a length, around off, Mishara defends it to cover. 

3.3: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

3.2: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, Back of a length, around off, Mishara bunts it to the off side. 

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

2.6: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, 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.

2.5: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, Much fuller, on off, Nissanka jams it to mid off. 

2.4: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, around off, Nissanka dabs it to cover. 

2.3: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, 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.

2.2: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, On a length, just outside off, Nissanka presses forward and eases it to cover. 

2.1: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, 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. 

1.6: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, Full, on off, Mishara defends it down. 

1.5: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, Fuller, angling in, Mishara fends it back to the bowler. 

1.4: Sam Curran to Kamil Mishara, On a hard length, outside off, Mishara looks to cut it on his back foot but misses. 

1.3: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, On a length, on leg, Nissanka nudges it to mid-wicket for one. 

1.2: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, 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.

1.1: Sam Curran to Pathum Nissanka, 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. 

0.6: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

0.5: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, Back of a length, around off, Mishara defends it in front. 

0.4: Jamie Overton to Kamil Mishara, 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. 

0.3: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, 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. 

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

0.1: Jamie Overton to Pathum Nissanka, 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.