England victorious in ODI series against Sri Lanka

England win the final ODI (one day international) match in Colombo by 53 runs and take their series against Sri Lanka 2-1.

Hampshire Hawks star, Liam Dawson, had an impressive 10-over spell attacking the Sri Lankan batsman, as he ended with two wickets.

Rashid, Jacks and Overton all matched Dawson and took two wickets of their own as England bowled out the Lions 304.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the bowling performance, England captain Harry Brook said “I am very happy with how the spinners have bowled, bowling in tandem with the communication outstanding.”

Their bowling bonanza was proceded by a batting masterclass from captain Harry Brook and veteran Joe Root.

Brook took the headlines as he smashed his 136 run total in just 66 deliveries. However, Root steadied the ship and gave Brook the licence to swing, as he hit a century of his own following a poor start from England on the crease.

The game could have had a different outcome if those two English batsman had not got their tonne finishes, with early wickets falling for England in the form of Duckett and Ahmed with a combined run total of 31. Jacob Bethell did add to England’s tally with a special 68 runs of his own.

Sri Lanka did have a charge of their own in the second innings, with batsman Pavan Rathnayake hitting a maiden century but it was ultimately not enough to stop England from winning the match and ultimately the ODI series.

England came from 1-0 down in the series in what would eventually be their first ODI away victory since 2023.

The series provided the good, the bad and the ugly.

Harry Brook told the BBC that the pitch in the R Premadasa Stadium from the second ODI, was “probably the worst” pitch he has ever played on.  However, speaking to Sky Sports on yesterday’s pitch, Brook was pleasantly surprised saying, “It ended up being better than we thought.”

Nonetheless, Brook and England persevered and the captain put in a leader’s performance to lead his side to victory in Colombo.

Following this ODI series, both sides will now get into their T20 three-match series in Pallekele, which is due to begin at 1:30 pm UK time.