Colombo: England secured a 53-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third One Day International (ODI) at the R Premadasa Stadium, sealing the three-match series 2-1 in their favour.
After winning the toss, England elected to bat and posted a commanding total of 357 for 3 in the allotted overs. The visitors faced early setbacks as Ben Duckett was dismissed for 7 runs at 19, followed by Rehan Ahmed’s departure for 24 at 40 runs.
Jo Root then steadied the innings, forging a crucial 126-run partnership for the third wicket with Jacob Bethell. Bethell contributed 65 runs off 72 balls, hitting eight boundaries before getting out.
Captain Harry Brook joined Root at the crease and the duo shared an unbeaten 191-run stand off 113 balls, propelling England to a formidable score. Root remained not out on 111 runs from 108 balls, including one six and nine fours, while Brook smashed an unbeaten 136 runs off 66 balls with nine sixes and 11 fours.
For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Jeffrey Vandersay claimed one wicket each.
Chasing a target of 358, Sri Lanka managed 304 runs in 46.4 overs. Opener Pathum Nissanka provided a brisk start with 50 runs off 25 balls, featuring three sixes and five fours, putting on 48 runs for the first wicket with Kamil Mishara, who scored 22 runs.
Middle-order batsman Pawan Ratnayake impressed with a resilient 121-run knock from 115 balls, including one six and 12 fours, but it was not enough to win the match.
England’s bowling attack was led by Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, and Adil Rashid, each taking two wickets. Sam Curran also contributed with one wicket.
Sri Lanka had won the opening ODI by 19 runs, but England bounced back in the second match with a five-wicket win, making the third game the series decider.
The two teams will next face off in a three-match T20 series scheduled from January 30 to February 3.
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