Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI Match Summary

So that is it from this game! Another truncated one and once again the English side comes out on top. They haven't lost a bilateral series of 3-matches or more since 2017. They now can't lose this one also. However, the hosts can still level the series as there are two more games to go. The 4th ODI will take place on the 20th of October on the same venue at 9.45 AM local (4.15 AM GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!

England captain, Eoin Morgan, suggests that they have improved as a team. Reckons that it is not easy waiting for the rain to stop. Gives credit to the bowlers and mentions about Stokes, Curran and Rashid. Says he cannot praise the bowlers enough for restricting Sri Lanka to 150 as they executed their plans well. On their batting, he says that they have an aggressive opening pair which looks to put the bad balls away. States that they just needed one partnership to take the game away from the opponents. Mentions that there is competition for places in the side which is a good headache.

Thisara Perera speaks in place of Chandimal who is ill. He starts by saying they got a good start by the openers but could not continue on it. Adds further with it being only a 21-over game they needed more runs. Admits they were 30-35 runs short. Reckons the batting line-up has to be blamed and they would hope to do better in the next game. He hopes Chandimal gets better before the 4th ODI.

Man of the Match, Adil Rashid, says he feels good. Adds the conditions were nice but the ball was a little wet. Mentions the googlies came out nicely as he has been practicing hard in the nets. Admits they do practice with the wet ball in the nets and it came in handy. States Morgan as a captain backs each bowler and it is his job to create chances and take wickets. Ends by saying he had a game plan and it came out well tonight.

The Sri Lankan bowlers did not have a lot to defend. Aponso did give them hope with a couple of quick wickets but none of the other bowlers were able to break through. Akila Dananjaya was played out smartly and the pace bowlers were attacked. Pradeep and Malinga both went for around 10 runs per over and while defending a not-so-big total, that is not affordable. Stay tuned for the presentation in a while.

The chase also began in brilliant fashion with the visitors hitting 17 from the first over. Bairstow and Root did fall in quick succession but Morgan and Roy first with a 46-run stand and the English skipper and Ben Stokes with another 50-plus stand took the away team over the line. Jason Roy played a flamboyant innings and was unfortunate to miss out on a half ton. Morgan played as the anchor and stroked a lovely unbeaten 58. He was well supported by Ben Stokes who finished the game off in style.

England now have gone 2-0 up in the series and have taken an unassailable lead, given that the first match was washed out. They have chased this average total down with ease. Their bowlers did an excellent job in the first half, especially after the Lankan openers got them off to flier. Tom Curran and Adil Rashid especially, the two finished with combined figures of 9-0-53-7 ensuring England head into the break ahead.

SIX! Ends it with a bang! Ben Stokes is nimble on his feet and also makes room. Gets underneath the length and tonks it over the long off fence for a biggie. ENGLAND WIN BY 7 WICKETS!

Pushes it to long on and gives the strike over to Ben Stokes.

FOUR! Welcome back into the attack! 5 more needed! A friendly full toss outside off. Morgan hits it through covers. No fielder in the deep and a boundary results.

Amila Aponso to roll his arm.

Slower ball on the pads, Morgan tries to work it fine but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.

Dances down the track and hits it down to long off for a run.

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

Clips it through square leg for a run.

FOUR! UP AND OVER! Fifty for Morgan! His good form in ODIs continues. Back-to-back fifties for him. Also this is his 41st in this format. Short and wide outside off, Morgan cuts it over backward point and the ball races away. A gift to get to that milestone. Poor bowling with third man up. Morgan though, raises his bat to soak in the applause by the crowd.

Shorter in length outside off, Morgan guides it through point for a brace.

Thisara Perera is called to bowl.

The dipping slower ball on off, it is a full toss. Morgan times it down to long off for a run.

Very full and outside off, it is driven through cover-point for a run.

Very full on the middle pole. Stokes pushes it to covers for a run. 50-run stand between the two comes up. They have taken their team to the brink of victory. Can they stay there till the end?

Slower ball down the leg side, wide given. Not been at his best today, Malinga.

Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signalled by the umpire.

Uppish but Malinga can't get down in time. It is full and on middle, Morgan tries to flick but gets a leading edge back towards the bowler. It goes past him and to the fielder at mid off.

A yorker, Morgan jams it out.

Lasith Malinga is in for another over.

Dances down the track and hits it through wide mid on for a brace. 24 more needed in 30.

Another one which is tucked through the leg side for a run.

Works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.

Lovely stop! Saves a run there. Stokes hammers it to the right of Dhananjaya. He dives full stretch and partially stops it.