श्रीलंका vs इंग्लैंड, पहला वनडे Commentary, Live Updates

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

WIDE! Oh dear! Kilometers outside the guideline, a leg cutter, on a good length. Overton lets it be.

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.

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

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.

WIDE! Misses his radar completely. Slow and wide, miles outside the tramline on the off side. Adil ignores. Wide called.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Full and outside off, Adil Rashid drives it straight to cover.

Nails the yorker in, on off, Adil squeezes it out to point.

Adil Rashid is the last man in for England.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WIDE! Almost an action-replay of the previous ball. Way down leg, full, he misses the flick.

WIDE! Down leg, full in length, Buttler skips down the track but misses the flick. Wide called.

A touch full, outside off, carved out to cover by Jamie.

Jamie Overton is in at number 9.

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

BEATEN! Pitched on middle, it grips and spins square, across the batter, and beats Rehan's attempted slog sweep.

Short again, outside off, Rehan knocks it away, but finds cover.

Short, outside off, Buttler rocks back and punches it wide of cover for a single.

Flat and full, outside off, smashed down to long off for a single.

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.

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.

Short, on off, Buttler hangs deep in the crease and steers it to deep cover for a single.

Pitched full, on leg, driven down to long on for a single.

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!

Short and around off, Buttler punches it down to long off for a single.

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.

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.

Short, outside off, Rehan Ahmed cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

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.

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.

Full, outside off, Rehan gets on his front foot and defends it away.

Short, outside off, Rehan punches it a bit upishly toward deep cover and gets a single.

Short, on middle, Jos punches it to long off for a single.

Short, on off, Rehan punches it off the back foot to cover for one.

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.

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.

A touch fuller, outside off, Sam crouches a bit low and cuts it through cover-point for a couple of runs.

Short, on leg, Sam pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Shortish, outside off, Sam punches it from his back foot to cover.

Short, on off, Sam pushes it to cover.

Fuller, on off, Jos flicks it from his back foot to mid-wicket for one.

Fuller, on middle, Sam flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on off, Sam fends it to cover.

Full, outside off, Jos drives it to mid off.

Short, outside off, Sam punches it to long on for a single.

Short, on off, Curran dabs it to cover.

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.

Full, on off, Jos flicks it to square leg for a single.

Full, around off, Buttler defends it down.

Short, around off, Jacob fends it away.

Full, on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to cover for a single.

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.

Short, just outside off, turning in, Brook defends it to the off side.

Fuller, on off, Brook comes down the track and blocks it down.

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.

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.

Fullish, outside off, Jacob eases it to short extra cover for no runs.

Full, on middle and leg, Harry tuks it to deep suqare leg for a comfortable single.

Fullish, around off, Brook leans on the delivery and defends it down.

Short around off, Harry Brook fends it to cover.

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

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

Fuller, with some flight, outside off, Jacob leans on the delivery and pushes it to short extra cover.

Short, outside off, Jacob drives it to extra cover.

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!

Full, on off, Jacob drives it gently to cover.

Tossed up, fuller, on off, Harry comes down the track and drives it to long on for a single.

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.

Full, around off, Jacob pushes it to cover.

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

Full, on off, Jacob pushes it to cover.

Full, outside off, Jacob Bethell tucks it to mid-wicket.

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.

Short, around off, Brook punches it toward wide long off for a single.

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!

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.

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.

Fuller, around leg, Joe flicks it to short fine leg.

Short, on leg, Root misses his flick and wears on his front pad.

Full, middle, Root drives it to short mid-wicket.

Full, on off, Jacob defends it down.

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.

Short, around off, Jacob leaves it alone to the keeper.

Full, on leg, Root clips it to deep square leg for a single.

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.

Tossed up, just outside off, Root lunges and drives to long off for a single.

Short, on leg, Root nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

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

Full, on middle, Joe sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Fuller, just outside the leg stump, Root misses his flick and the ball pings on his pad.

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

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.

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.

A leg break, short and outside off, Jacob rocks back and knocks it to short cover.

Draws the front foot forward and forces the full ball to extra cover.

Nice and full, pushed through, on off, blocked off.

Full and wide outside off, Jacob is sucked into the front foot drive, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker.

Much fuller, on middle, drilled back to the bowler.

WIDE! Spins sharply down leg, on a fuller length. Left alone by 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.

Flat and full, on off, Bethell presents full face and drives it straight to cover.

Full on middle, Root clips it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

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

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.

Arm ball, full and on off, Jacob prods forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

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

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.

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

Too full, on off, Bethell drills it through wide mid on for a single and gets off the mark.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Short of a good length, on middle, Root tucks it through widish mid-wicket for a single.

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.

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

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.

Outside off, tossed up on a fuller length, driven hard off the front foot to cover.

Into the blockhole, around off, carved away to short cover.

Full and down leg, swept to deep backward square leg for a single.

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

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.

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.

Short, on middle, Duckett rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

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.

Leg break, short, on middle, Root hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Draws his front foot ahead and drives the full ball to cover.

Drags the length back, short, outside off, Duckett slaps it with a cross bat but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Hangs it up there, full and on the stumps. Ben defends it out to extra cover.

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

Lands it full, around off, Root lunges with a huge stride and eases it to short cover.

Shade short, on middle, Root hangs back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Around off, tossed fuller, Root drives it to mid off.

Around the legs, clipped to mid-wicket with soft hands.

Full on middle, clipped to the leg side for a single.

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.

Tight leave! On a length, outside off, Root makes a watchful leave.

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.

Serves it full, outside off, Root drives inside out to deep cover and strolls for a single.

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.

Targets the stumps, on a fuller length, Ben gets on the front foot and smothers the spin.

Full, on the stumps, Root runs it down to long on for a single.

Drops it around middle and leg, Joe tries to flick the full ball to the leg side, but gets a leading edge to cover.

Pushed fuller, on middle, Joe eases it back to the bowler.

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.

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

Looped fuller, outside leg, Ben brooms it to deep backward square leg for another single.

Short, on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one more.

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

He flicks this full ball into the mid-wicket pocket for a single.

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.

Pitches it up, fuller, on leg, Root tucks it to square leg.

Fuller, around off, Ben drives it toward the right of the diving cover fielder who makes half stop and the batter gets a single.

A touch shorter, just outside off, Ben bunts it to cover-point.

Flat and fuller, on off, Ben leans on the delivery pressing forward and eases it to mid on for no runs.

Full, on off, Ben defends it back to the bowler.

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.

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

Short, around off, Ben knocks it to long on for one.

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.

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.

Pitches it up, on middle, Ben defends it to his front foot.

Fuller, around the pads of the batter, Ben flicks it toward square leg.

Short, around off, Ben punches it to sweeper cover for one more single.

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

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

Fuller, outside off, turning it away, Joe prods and drives it through cover for a single.

Full, on middle, Duckett strides out and tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

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.

Tossed up, much fuller, just outside off, Root drives it to mid off for a single.

Fuller, around the pads, Ben flicks it to sqaure leg for a single.

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

Short, on off, Root dabs it to cover point for a single.

Fuller, on off, Root pushes it back to the bowler.

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.

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.

Fuller, around off, Ben lunges and defends it in front.

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.

Flat and much fuller, on middle, Joe hangs back and flicks it to square leg for a single.

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!

Fuller, on middle, Ben flicks it to mid-wicket for no runs.

Fullish, around off, Ben pushes it through cover for a comfortable single.

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.

Flat and fuller, on middle, Root nudges it from his front foot to mid on.

Full, on off, Root pushes it to short extra cover.

Short, around off, Root fends it to the cover fielder.

Shortish, on off and middle, Root defends it on his back foot.

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

Fuller, on leg, Ben flicks it to square leg for one.

Short, around middle, Root clips it to square leg for one

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.

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.

Fuller, around off, Root drives it to cover.

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

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.

Full, just outside off, Root eases it to the off side.

Tossed up, on off, Root defends it to his front.

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.

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

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

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

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

Fuller, around the pads of the batter. Ben flicks it to square leg for a single.

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

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.

Fuller, around off, Root pushes it to cover-point and gets a single.

Short, on leg, Ben flicks it through square leg for a single.

Fuller, just outside the leg stump. Ben looks to reverse sweep it but fails to get the connection.

Fuller, on leg, Ben tucks it to short mid-wicket.

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.

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.

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.

Much fuller, on leg, Root flicks it wide of mid-wicket for one more.

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.

On middle, sliding across the batter, Joe hangs back and punches it wide of cover for a quick single.

Outside leg, on a fuller length, nurdled off the back foot to square leg.

Full and across off, from around the stumps, Root flicks it to mid-wicket.

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.

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

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.

Full and on middle, Joe gets on the front foot and drills it straight to mid off.

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.

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.

Pitched outside leg, on a fuller length, Root tries to reverse sweep, but misses and the ball thuds the front pad.

Nice and full, on middle, flicked away to mid-wicket.

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.

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

Full and on off, at 81 kph, Ben gets forward and taps it gently back to the bowler.

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.

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

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.

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.

Full and on middle, angling in. Root flicks off the pads to square leg.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Shortish, outside off, Ben Duckett backs away and slaps it through cover for a single.

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.

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.

Touch full, around off, Joe knocks it to cover, playing it off the front foot.

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

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

Nips in from off, on a good length. Root defends it right under the bat.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Nips away this time, fullish and around off, Ben blocks it solidly to the off side.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

In front of the stumps, on a good length, Duckett rocks back and bunts it down the pitch.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Straight and full, at 133 kph, around off, Zak leans forward and drives it straight to mid off.

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.

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