A determined England side ended a prolonged winless streak in away one-day internationals with a gritty five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, setting up a series decider. The win, secured in Colombo, was built on a disciplined bowling performance and a patient chase on a challenging pitch.
After being asked to field, England’s attack, led by the evergreen Adil Rashid, expertly exploited a turning surface to restrict the hosts to 219. Rashid’s ten overs yielded two crucial wickets for just 34 runs, without conceding a single boundary. His control set the tone, as England utilized a remarkable eight bowlers, including six spinners, to stifle Sri Lanka’s batting lineup throughout the innings.
The chase was far from straightforward. England’s top order faced significant difficulty timing the ball on a slow, gripping wicket. Opener Ben Duckett weathered a tough start before falling for 39, while the promoted Rehan Ahmed departed early in his unfamiliar role.
The innings was steadied by the experience of Joe Root, whose 75 from 98 balls provided the necessary anchor. He formed a vital 81-run partnership with Harry Brook, who labored to a 75-ball 42. Both batsmen later described the conditions as exceptionally difficult for one-day cricket, with Brook labeling it the toughest pitch he had encountered.
Despite losing both set batters with work still to do, captain Jos Buttler saw the team home with an unbeaten 28, fittingly sealed by Will Jacks. The victory not only levels the series but also marks the first overseas ODI win for head coach Brendon McCullum.
The teams will now meet in a final match to decide the series on Tuesday.