Brook and Root steer England to series-deciding ODI win over Sri Lanka in Colombo

England close out series with commanding run total and disciplined bowling

England secured a 53-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third and deciding one-day international in Colombo, clinching the series 2-1. The result was built on two unbeaten centuries from captain Harry Brook and Joe Root, who turned an uncertain start into a dominant 357-3 and then watched England’s bowlers share the wickets as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 304 in 46.4 overs.

The match carried added significance for England beyond the series scoreline. Coming into this contest, the tourists had endured an extended run of poor away results, but back-to-back wins in the final two games completed their first away ODI series victory in nearly three years, and their first since beating Bangladesh in March 2023.

Score summary

• England: 357-3 (50 overs) — Harry Brook 136* (66), Joe Root 111* (108), Jacob Bethell 65 (72)
• Sri Lanka: 304 all out (46.4 overs) — Pavan Rathnayake 121 (115), Pathum Nissanka 50 (25)
• Result: England won by 53 runs and took the series 2-1

Early England wobble: 40-2 and a slow start on a difficult pitch

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England’s innings began in subdued fashion. Brook had described the surface before the match as “not nice”, and the early overs reflected those conditions. England slipped to 40-2, with momentum hard to find and scoring opportunities limited.

Ben Duckett departed for seven when he attempted a reverse sweep and found point, where Dhananjaya de Silva completed the catch. England’s makeshift opening arrangement also came under pressure, and Rehan Ahmed was removed for 24 when Wanindu Hasaranga, returning to the side after being rested for the first two matches, had him caught at mid-wicket by Jeffrey Vandersay.

Through the first 20 overs, England had managed just 77 runs. At that stage, the innings was in need of stability and a clear plan to rebuild without losing further wickets.

Root and Bethell rebuild: a steady partnership changes the tone

Joe Root, having made half-centuries in the first two matches, again took on the role of anchor. Alongside Jacob Bethell, he began to reshape England’s innings with a more controlled approach, focusing on rotation and selective boundary-hitting.

Bethell’s contribution proved important in shifting the tempo. He brought up both the partnership’s century stand and his own half-century from 64 balls, doing so with back-to-back boundaries. The stand allowed England to move away from the early pressure and begin accelerating without taking excessive risks.

Bethell was eventually dismissed for 65 from 72 deliveries, visibly frustrated after pulling Vandersay to Janith Liyanage in the deep. His wicket left England 166-3, but the platform had been laid for a strong finish if the remaining batters could capitalise.

Unbroken 191-run stand: Root and Brook take control

From 166-3, Root and Brook produced the decisive passage of the match: an unbroken partnership of 191 from 118 deliveries. Root’s innings combined composure with timely acceleration. He narrowly avoided being run out on 99 before reaching his century from 100 balls, completing his 20th ODI hundred and continuing a consistent series with the bat.

Brook, meanwhile, provided the explosive element that transformed a competitive score into a daunting one. He reached his first half-century of the series and then launched into an extraordinary finishing phase. Brook ended unbeaten on 136 from just 66 balls, striking 20 boundaries in total, including nine sixes, in what was his highest ODI score for England.

England’s final 10 overs yielded 130 runs, a surge that included 22 runs in the penultimate over. By the end of the innings, England had reached 357-3, the highest 50-over score at the ground since 2018, and a total that left Sri Lanka facing their biggest successful chase in ODI history if they were to win.

Sri Lanka’s chase starts quickly, then stumbles inside the powerplay

Sri Lanka began their pursuit with early intent, scoring 48 runs in the first five overs. Pathum Nissanka in particular provided a rapid start, reaching 50 from 25 balls in a burst that briefly lifted the home side’s hopes.

However, England’s bowlers and fielders made key interventions that quickly changed the feel of the chase. Kamil Mishara, who made 20, handed England an opening when he was dismissed off a Will Jacks long hop. Jamie Overton then checked Sri Lanka’s momentum by removing Kusal Mendis for 20, after Mendis had struck him for three consecutive boundaries in the same over.

Overton struck again to remove Nissanka, who was caught in the deep by substitute fielder Tom Banton, leaving Sri Lanka 94-3. Given the size of the target, losing three wickets inside the powerplay put added pressure on the middle order and reduced the margin for error.

Rashid breaks through as Sri Lanka adjust their approach

Adil Rashid’s dismissal of Charith Asalanka for 13 prompted a shift in Sri Lanka’s approach. With wickets down and the required rate climbing, the innings moved into a more cautious phase as the hosts looked for stability and partnerships.

Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage added a stubborn 43-run stand, attempting to rebuild and keep the chase alive. But the partnership ended in unfortunate circumstances when Liyanage was run out following a mix-up that left him stranded. The dismissal was a setback at a time when Sri Lanka needed sustained momentum and clear running between the wickets.

Dhananjaya de Silva then fell for nine, picking out Brook off Jacks in what was described as another soft dismissal. Each wicket further increased the pressure on the remaining batters and made the target feel increasingly out of reach.

Rathnayake’s maiden ODI century stands out in defeat

Despite the wickets around him, Rathnayake produced a standout innings, scoring a maiden ODI century in a chase that demanded both resilience and scoring power. He compiled 121 from 115 balls, including 12 fours, and continued to battle even as Sri Lanka’s required rate rose and their batting resources diminished.

There was support for a period from Dunith Wellalage, who made 22 in a 50-run partnership with Rathnayake before being removed by Liam Dawson. Wanindu Hasaranga’s innings ended on nine when he ballooned a catch off Rashid to Duckett in the deep, leaving Sri Lanka eight down and still a long way short.

Rathnayake carried Sri Lanka beyond 300, but his innings ended as the final wicket when Sam Curran bowled him, knocking back his leg stump. Sri Lanka were all out for 304 with 3.2 overs remaining, confirming England’s 53-run win.

England’s wicket spread underlines a collective bowling effort

England’s defence of 357 was not built around a single spell but a shared effort. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid each took two wickets, combining to keep Sri Lanka’s chase from developing into a sustained threat after the early burst.

The distribution of wickets reflected England’s ability to apply pressure through different phases: early breakthroughs to halt the powerplay momentum, followed by steady control through the middle overs, and enough penetration to ensure the chase ended before the 50 overs were completed.

Key individual performances

• Harry Brook: 136* from 66 balls, with 20 boundaries including nine sixes; led England’s late acceleration and was named player of the match.
• Joe Root: 111* from 108 balls; his 20th ODI century and another substantial contribution after half-centuries in the first two games; named player of the series.
• Jacob Bethell: 65 from 72 balls; played a key role in the recovery after England slipped to 40-2.
• Pavan Rathnayake: 121 from 115 balls; a maiden ODI century in a losing cause, ending as the final wicket.

What the captains and leading players said

Brook highlighted preparation and partnerships as central to England’s performance. He said he had worked on specific elements with Root in the nets and felt it “paid off” in the match. Brook also pointed to England’s bowling unit, praising how the spinners operated together and how communication helped them function in tandem. He added that England’s batters tried to put pressure on the bowlers “even in tough conditions”.

Root, reflecting on his role, said his focus was on contributing to wins and helping younger players develop. He noted the value of batting alongside Bethell and praised Brook for the way he “took the game on” and showed versatility. Root described the result as a step forward after a difficult period, particularly away from home, and said it would “breed confidence” looking ahead.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka credited England’s two centurions for the decisive difference. He said Sri Lanka were “undone by good batting from Root and Brook” and added that he expected more turn from the surface, noting that when the ball does not turn, “it’s hard to bowl spin at the death”.

Match context: England’s away improvement and Sri Lanka’s missed opportunity

For England, the series win in Colombo represented a notable change in away form. The team arrived with a record that included an 11-game losing streak on the road, but consecutive victories to close out the series offered evidence of progress in both batting depth and bowling balance.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, showed how quickly ODI chases can swing. The early pace of the pursuit and Nissanka’s rapid half-century suggested the target might be reachable on a good day, but the loss of wickets in clusters—combined with England’s ability to keep taking them—left too much for Rathnayake to do alone, even with a century to his name.

At a glance: turning points

• England’s recovery from 40-2 to a strong platform through Root and Bethell’s partnership.
• Brook’s late-innings hitting, helping England add 130 in the final 10 overs.
• Sri Lanka reduced to 94-3 after Nissanka’s dismissal, despite a fast start.
• Liyanage’s run out and further soft dismissals that stalled Sri Lanka’s chase.
• Rathnayake’s century, followed by his dismissal as the final wicket, ending the chase at 304.

In the end, England’s combination of consolidation and acceleration with the bat—followed by a multi-pronged bowling effort—proved too much for Sri Lanka to overcome in the series decider, sealing a 2-1 victory and a significant away success in the 50-over format.