After a disappointing loss in the recently concluded Ashes series against Australia in Australia, the three lions came back strongly to register a morale-boosting win in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. England won the series 2-1. All three ODIs were played at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka managed to win the first ODI by 19 runs, while England won the second ODI chasing 220.
In the third ODI, England made a solid comeback, with Harry Brook and Joe Root scoring magnificent centuries. England captain Brook scored an unbeaten 136 in 66 balls, registering his third ODI century, cracking 11 fours and 9 sixes, while Joe Root scored an unbeaten111 in 108 balls, which was his 20th century in limited overs format. England managed to win an overseas bilateral ODI series after three years.
Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat first. England were 40/2 in the 11th over, losing openers Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed early. Root and Brook did an impressive job as the duo registered a 191-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Earlier, Root and Jacob Bethell registered a 126-run third-wicket partnership with Bethell scoring a crucial 65 in 72 balls. Brook scored his century in just 57 balls. England scored 130 runs in the last 10 overs. England managed to score 300 plus for the first time against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. England scored 357/3 in 50 overs.
While chasing 358, Sri Lanka started impressively as opener Pathum Nissanka scored 50 in 25 balls while Kamil Mishara 22 in 17 balls as Sri Lanka were 85/1 in 7.4 overs. Suddenly, Sri Lanka lost their way and were 94/3 in 9.1 overs.
Pavan Rathnayake scored a sensational 121 in 115 balls, hitting 12 fours and 1 six. Janith Liyanage and Dunith Wellalage scored 22 each and kept the fight going. England spinners Adil Rashid, Will Jacks and Liam Dawson claimed 2 wickets each. All three spinners looked accurate with their lengths.
The required run rate crossed ten, but Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets. Their batters failed to build partnerships in the middle overs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 304 in 46.4 overs. Sri Lanka lost their first ODI series at home after five years, but it was a happy ending for England as the Three Lions might have found a reliable captain in the ODI format in the form of Harry Brook, who led the team with an aggressive intent.
