Sri Lanka vs England, 1st ODI Match Summary

1 run.

No run.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

... MATCH DAY ...

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