A composed, unbeaten 93 from Kusal Mendis proved the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s victory, setting up a 19-run win in the first ODI against England in Colombo. The hosts successfully defended a total of 271, with their spinners orchestrating a decisive mid-innings collapse to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a competitive target on a turning pitch, England appeared well-placed at 129 for one, thanks to steady half-centuries from Ben Duckett (62) and Joe Root (61). However, the innings unraveled dramatically as the home side’s slow bowlers took control under the floodlights. The left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who also contributed a brisk 25 with the bat, claimed two key wickets during a passage of play that saw England lose five batters for just 36 runs.
Despite a late flurry of boundaries from all-rounders Rehan Ahmed and Jamie Overton, which briefly revived hopes of an unlikely comeback, the required rate proved too steep. Needing 20 from the final over, Overton’s dismissal to a Pramod Madushan full toss sealed England’s fate, all out for 252.
Earlier, after being put into bat, Sri Lanka’s innings was anchored by Mendis. The wicketkeeper-batter paced his knock expertly, accelerating after a cautious start to guide his team to a par score on a surface where large totals are uncommon. He received support from Wellalage’s late hitting, which helped plunder 23 runs from the final over of the innings.
For England, leg-spinner Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers with three for 44, while Liam Dawson marked his ODI return with a tidy, boundary-restricting spell. The tourists’ chase began poorly with Zak Crawley falling early, but the partnership between Duckett and Root rebuilt the innings before the dramatic middle-order stumble.
England’s captain, Harry Brook, was among the casualties, stumped for six after being deceived by sharp turn from Charith Asalanka. Reflecting on the conditions, Brook noted the increasing difficulty for new batters on the deteriorating pitch.
The defeat extends England’s concerning run in away ODIs, while Sri Lanka moves closer to a potential ninth consecutive bilateral series win on home soil. The second match of the series will be played at the same venue.