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Sri Lanka vs England, 1st ODI Match Summary

SL vs ENG, 2026 - ODI Summary

Sri Lanka vs England Scorecard
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Match Ended   
271/6 (50.0/50)
252 (49.2/50)
Sri Lanka beat England by 19 runs
SL 271/6
Bat Top Batsmen
93 (117)
  • 11x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 79.48SR
46 (53)
  • 5x4s
  • 2x6s
  • 86.79SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
ECON 4.40
10
OVERS
44/3
R/W
Bowler
ECON 3.10
10
OVERS
31/1
R/W
ENG 252/10
Bat Top Batsmen
62 (76)
  • 5x4s
  • 1x6s
  • 81.57SR
61 (90)
  • 5x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 67.77SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
ECON 7.31
5.2
OVERS
39/3
R/W
Bowler
ECON 3.90
10
OVERS
39/2
R/W
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Another defeat for England in the ODI format exposes the ongoing middle-order inconsistencies, and concerningly, this is their fourth ODI loss in a row. 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 utilised their bowling stocks exceptionally well through spin, though there is always room for improvement regardless of the result. Their pacers were targeted at times and would need to refine their execution moving forward. Okay then, 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. England will aim to bounce back and push the contest into a decider. The second ODI 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.
Over 49.2 : 252/10
0 Runs
  • 049.1
  • W 49.2
J. Overton
34 (17)
A. Rashid
0 (6)
P. Madushan
5.2-0-39-3
49.2
W
Pramod Madushan To Jamie Overton OUT!
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
0
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.
Over 49 : 252/9
14 Runs
  • 048.1
  • 1 WD 48.2
  • 248.2
  • 048.3
  • 648.4
  • 448.5
  • 148.6
J. Overton
34 (15)
A. Rashid
0 (6)
A. Fernando
8-1-64-1
48.6
1
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
4
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
6
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
0
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
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
wd
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
0
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.
Over 48 : 238/9
11 Runs
  • 047.1
  • 447.2
  • 1 WD 47.3
  • 447.3
  • 147.4
  • 1 WD 47.5
  • 047.5
  • 047.6
A. Rashid
0 (6)
J. Overton
21 (9)
P. Madushan
5-0-39-2
47.6
0
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
0
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
wd
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
1
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
4
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
wd
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
4
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
0
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.
49 OV
14 Runs
A. Fernando to J. Overton
  • 048.1
  • 1 WD 48.2
  • 248.2
  • 048.3
  • 648.4
  • 448.5
  • 148.6
48 OV
11 Runs
P. Madushan to J. Overton A. Rashid
  • 047.1
  • 447.2
  • 1 WD 47.3
  • 447.3
  • 147.4
  • 1 WD 47.5
  • 047.5
  • 047.6
47 OV
14 Runs
A. Fernando to J. Overton A. Rashid
  • 446.1
  • 146.2
  • 1 WD 46.3
  • 046.3
  • 1 LB 46.4
  • 646.5
  • 146.6
46 OV
10 Runs
P. Madushan to J. Buttler L. Dawson A. Rashid
  • 1 WD 45.1
  • 1 WD 45.1
  • 645.1
  • W 45.2
  • 245.3
  • W 45.4
  • 045.5
  • 045.6
45 OV
3 Runs
J. Vandersay to J. Buttler R. Ahmed J. Overton
  • 044.1
  • 244.2
  • 044.3
  • 144.4
  • W 44.5
  • 044.6
44 OV
16 Runs
A. Fernando to J. Buttler R. Ahmed
  • 043.1
  • 2 NB 43.2
  • 143.2
  • 143.3
  • 443.4
  • 443.5
  • 443.6
43 OV
2 Runs
J. Vandersay to R. Ahmed J. Buttler
  • 142.1
  • 142.2
  • 042.3
  • 042.4
  • 042.5
  • 042.6
42 OV
12 Runs
D. Wellalage to J. Buttler R. Ahmed
  • 141.1
  • 441.2
  • 141.3
  • 141.4
  • 441.5
  • 141.6
41 OV
2 Runs
J. Vandersay to R. Ahmed J. Buttler
  • 040.1
  • 040.2
  • 040.3
  • 140.4
  • 040.5
  • 140.6
40 OV
5 Runs
D. Wellalage to S. Curran R. Ahmed J. Buttler
  • 239.1
  • W 39.2
  • 039.3
  • 139.4
  • 139.5
  • 139.6
39 OV
3 Runs
C. Asalanka to S. Curran J. Buttler
  • 038.1
  • 138.2
  • 138.3
  • 038.4
  • 038.5
  • 138.6
38 OV
2 Runs
D. Wellalage to J. Buttler J. Bethell S. Curran
  • 037.1
  • 137.2
  • W 37.3
  • 037.4
  • 137.5
  • 037.6
37 OV
4 Runs
C. Asalanka to H. Brook J. Bethell J. Buttler
  • 136.1
  • 136.2
  • 036.3
  • 036.4
  • 1 WDW 36.5
  • 136.5
  • 036.6
36 OV
3 Runs
D. Wellalage to H. Brook J. Bethell
  • 135.1
  • 135.2
  • 035.3
  • 035.4
  • 135.5
  • 035.6
35 OV
5 Runs
de Silva to H. Brook J. Bethell
  • 034.1
  • 134.2
  • 034.3
  • 434.4
  • 034.5
  • 034.6
34 OV
1 Runs
D. Wellalage to H. Brook J. Bethell
  • 133.1
  • 033.2
  • 033.3
  • 033.4
  • 033.5
  • 033.6
33 OV
1 Runs
de Silva to J. Root H. Brook
  • 032.1
  • 032.2
  • 032.3
  • W 32.4
  • 032.5
  • 132.6
32 OV
5 Runs
J. Vandersay to J. Root J. Bethell
  • 131.1
  • 131.2
  • 131.3
  • 031.4
  • 231.5
  • 031.6
31 OV
4 Runs
C. Asalanka to J. Bethell J. Root
  • 030.1
  • 130.2
  • 030.3
  • 130.4
  • 130.5
  • 130.6
30 OV
2 Runs
J. Vandersay to J. Bethell
  • 1 WD 29.1
  • 029.1
  • 029.2
  • 029.3
  • 029.4
  • 029.5
  • 129.6
29 OV
3 Runs
C. Asalanka to J. Bethell J. Root
  • 028.1
  • 128.2
  • 028.3
  • 128.4
  • 028.5
  • 128.6
28 OV
1 Runs
J. Vandersay to B. Duckett J. Bethell J. Root
  • W 27.1
  • 027.2
  • 127.3
  • 027.4
  • 027.5
  • 027.6
27 OV
9 Runs
A. Fernando to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 326.1
  • 126.2
  • 026.3
  • 126.4
  • 026.5
  • 426.6
26 OV
9 Runs
K. Mishara to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 125.1
  • 125.2
  • 025.3
  • 025.4
  • 625.5
  • 125.6
25 OV
8 Runs
J. Vandersay to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 024.1
  • 124.2
  • 424.3
  • 124.4
  • 124.5
  • 124.6
24 OV
1 Runs
de Silva to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 023.1
  • 023.2
  • 023.3
  • 123.4
  • 023.5
  • 023.6
23 OV
5 Runs
J. Vandersay to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 122.1
  • 322.2
  • 022.3
  • 022.4
  • 122.5
  • 022.6
22 OV
2 Runs
de Silva to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 121.1
  • 021.2
  • 021.3
  • 121.4
  • 021.5
  • 021.6
21 OV
5 Runs
J. Vandersay to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 120.1
  • 120.2
  • 120.3
  • 120.4
  • 120.5
  • 020.6
20 OV
2 Runs
de Silva to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 119.1
  • 019.2
  • 019.3
  • 019.4
  • 119.5
  • 019.6
19 OV
8 Runs
D. Wellalage to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 018.1
  • 018.2
  • 218.3
  • 4 LB 18.4
  • 118.5
  • 118.6
18 OV
6 Runs
J. Vandersay to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 117.1
  • 117.2
  • 117.3
  • 117.4
  • 117.5
  • 117.6
17 OV
3 Runs
D. Wellalage to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 016.1
  • 016.2
  • 116.3
  • 016.4
  • 116.5
  • 116.6
16 OV
10 Runs
C. Asalanka to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 015.1
  • 115.2
  • 115.3
  • 415.4
  • 015.5
  • 415.6
15 OV
2 Runs
D. Wellalage to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 014.1
  • 014.2
  • 014.3
  • 014.4
  • 114.5
  • 114.6
14 OV
3 Runs
C. Asalanka to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 013.1
  • 013.2
  • 013.3
  • 113.4
  • 113.5
  • 113.6
13 OV
6 Runs
D. Wellalage to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 112.1
  • 412.2
  • 012.3
  • 012.4
  • 112.5
  • 012.6
12 OV
6 Runs
C. Asalanka to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 111.1
  • 011.2
  • 111.3
  • 211.4
  • 111.5
  • 111.6
11 OV
3 Runs
D. Wellalage to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 110.1
  • 010.2
  • 010.3
  • 010.4
  • 110.5
  • 110.6
10 OV
3 Runs
de Silva to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 09.1
  • 09.2
  • 19.3
  • 19.4
  • 19.5
  • 09.6
9 OV
10 Runs
P. Madushan to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 18.1
  • 48.2
  • 08.3
  • 48.4
  • 08.5
  • 18.6
8 OV
2 Runs
de Silva to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 17.1
  • 07.2
  • 07.3
  • 17.4
  • 07.5
  • 07.6
7 OV
1 Runs
A. Fernando to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 06.1
  • 06.2
  • 06.3
  • 16.4
  • 06.5
  • 06.6
6 OV
6 Runs
de Silva to B. Duckett J. Root
  • 05.1
  • 05.2
  • 15.3
  • 15.4
  • 05.5
  • 45.6
5 OV
4 Runs
A. Fernando to J. Root
  • 04.1
  • 44.2
  • 04.3
  • 04.4
  • 04.5
  • 04.6
4 OV
1 Runs
P. Madushan to J. Root B. Duckett
  • 13.1
  • 03.2
  • 03.3
  • 03.4
  • 03.5
  • 03.6
3 OV
7 Runs
A. Fernando to B. Duckett Z. Crawley J. Root
  • 42.1
  • 02.2
  • 12.3
  • 02.4
  • W 2.5
  • 1 WD 2.6
  • 12.6
2 OV
7 Runs
P. Madushan to B. Duckett Z. Crawley
  • 01.1
  • 01.2
  • 11.3
  • 01.4
  • 21.5
  • 41.6
1 OV
0 Runs
A. Fernando to Z. Crawley
  • 00.1
  • 00.2
  • 00.3
  • 00.4
  • 00.5
  • 00.6
Match Info
  • Venue R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
  • Weather Clear
  • Toss Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat
  • Result Sri Lanka beat England by 19 runs
  • Player of the Match Dunith Wellalage
  • Umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri (SL), Rod Tucker (AUS) and Adrian Holdstock (SA)
  • Referee Ranjan Madugalle (SL)
Match Notes
  • Innings Break: Sri Lanka 271/6 in 50.0 overs
  • Power play 3 (41-50): Sri Lanka 271/6 (80 runs, 2 wickets)
  • Sri Lanka 254/6 in 49.1 overs
  • Sri Lanka 205/4 in 41.6 overs
  • Power play 2 (11-40): Sri Lanka 191/4 (142 runs, 4 wickets)
  • Drinks: Sri Lanka 175/4 in 37.0 overs
  • 5th wkt Partnership: 50 off 60 balls between K Menis (21) and J Liyanage (27)
  • Sri Lanka 150/4 in 32.2 overs
  • K Mendis 35th ODI fifty: 50 runs in 61 balls (8x4) (0x6)
  • Sri Lanka 100/3 in 22.3 overs
  • Referral 1 (21.5 ovs): ENG against C Asalanka (LBW) Unsuccessful (SL: 2, ENG: 1)
  • Drinks: Sri Lanka 90/2 in 19.0 overs
  • 1st wkt Partnership: 50 off 61 balls between P Nissanka (21) and K Mishara (25)
  • Sri Lanka 50/0 in 10.1 overs
  • Power play 1 (1-10): Sri Lanka 49/0
  • England 251/9 in 48.5 overs
  • England 200/6 in 43.6 overs
  • Referral 3 (40.5 ovs): SL against J Buttler (LBW) Unsuccessful (SL: 1, ENG: 1)
  • Power play 2 (11-40): England 168/6 (127 runs, 5 wickets)
  • England 151/3 in 34.4 overs
  • Drinks: England 146/3 in 34.0 overs
  • Referral 2 (32.4 ovs): SL against J Root (LBW) Successful (SL: 2, ENG: 1)
  • Referral 1 (27.1 ovs): B Duckett against SL (LBW) Unsuccessful (SL: 2, ENG: 1)
  • 2nd wkt Partnership: 100 off 134 balls between B Duckett (45) and J Root (50)
  • B Duckett 9th ODI fifty: 50 runs in 67 balls (5x4) (0x6)
  • J Root 44th ODI fifty: 50 runs in 72 balls (4x4) (0x6)
  • England 101/1 in 22.2 overs
  • Drinks: England 74/1 in 17.0 overs
  • 2nd wkt Partnership: 50 off 76 balls between B Duckett (15) and J Root (34)
  • England 50/1 in 11.6 overs
  • Power play 1 (1-10): England 41/1
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