England's Batting Collapse Hands Sri Lanka ODI Victory in Colombo
England's struggles in one-day international cricket away from home continued in emphatic fashion as they fell 19 runs short of Sri Lanka's total in the opening match of their three-game series in Colombo. The visitors, chasing a target of 272, collapsed from a promising position of 129 for one to 164 for six, ultimately being bowled out for 252.
Mendis Anchors Sri Lankan Innings with Unbeaten Knock
The foundation for Sri Lanka's victory was laid by wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, who played a masterful innings of 93 not out from 107 deliveries. After a cautious start that saw him score just two runs from his first 15 balls, Mendis grew into his innings with elegant late cuts and square drives, demonstrating why he averages an impressive 67.25 in home ODIs since the beginning of 2024.
Sri Lanka posted 271 for six from their 50 overs, with useful contributions throughout their batting order. The hosts recovered well from being 124 for four at the halfway stage of their innings, thanks to Mendis's anchoring presence and some late hitting from Dunith Wellalage, who smashed 25 from just 12 balls including 22 runs from the final over bowled by Jamie Overton.
England's Promising Start Fades Amid Spin Collapse
England's reply began steadily with Ben Duckett and Joe Root compiling a 117-run partnership that appeared to have set the platform for a successful chase. Both batters reached half-centuries in the same over, with Root looking particularly fluent in scoring 61 from 72 deliveries and Duckett making 62 from 67 before falling to a reverse sweep attempt against Jeffrey Vandersay.
The turning point came when England lost five wickets for just 35 runs during the middle overs, with Sri Lanka's spinners exploiting the turning surface under the Colombo lights. Captain Harry Brook was stumped down the leg side by Mendis for just six after being deceived by Charith Asalanka's turn, while Wellalage claimed two crucial wickets in the collapse.
Late Resistance Proves Too Little, Too Late
England's lower order provided some late excitement with Rehan Ahmed playing an enterprising innings of 27 from 22 balls and Jamie Overton blasting 34 from 31 deliveries. Their seventh-wicket partnership of 44 briefly revived English hopes, and when Overton took 14 runs from the 48th over, the equation came down to 20 required from the final six balls.
However, the task proved beyond them as Pramod Madushan held his nerve in the final over, dismissing Overton with a full toss that was clunked to a fielder. This defeat extends England's miserable away record in ODIs to 11 consecutive losses, casting further doubt over their preparations for upcoming global tournaments.
Bowling Performances of Note
England's bowling attack had initially performed creditably to restrict Sri Lanka to what appeared to be a manageable total. Adil Rashid was particularly impressive with his leg-spin, returning figures of three for 44 from his ten overs, while Liam Dawson marked his first ODI appearance since November 2022 with a tidy spell that conceded just two boundaries.
Sam Curran opened the bowling alongside Overton and later turned to his deceptive moon ball variation to claim the wicket of Pathum Nissanka. The left-armer's ability to adapt to conditions highlighted England's tactical flexibility, even if the end result didn't reflect their efforts in the field.
Selection Surprises and Absences
The match featured several unexpected team selections, with England including Rehan Ahmed after Will Jacks fell ill on the morning of the game. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, rested their primary bowling threat Wanindu Hasaranga and were also without Maheesh Theekshana, who ranks third in the ICC's ODI bowling rankings.
The afternoon began with promotional activities for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host, including skydivers from the armed forces landing on the ground with the trophy. However, the cricket that followed proved compelling enough without additional spectacle, as two competitive sides battled on a surface that favored spin bowling.
With this victory, Sri Lanka continue their impressive home record in ODI cricket as they chase their eighth consecutive series win on home soil. England, meanwhile, must regroup quickly ahead of the second match, with captain Jos Buttler's leadership under increasing scrutiny following this latest setback in foreign conditions.
