Sri Lanka vs England, Match 3, Oct 22, 2026: commentary
| England | 429/4 | 50.0 ov |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 430/8 | 49.5 ov |
Sri Lanka win by 2 wickets
Result
Sri Lanka win by 2 wickets
Player of the match
Pawan Rathnayake (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka Cricket · updated Thu, 22 Oct, 22:12
What the reporting says
Pathum Nissanka is out of Sri Lanka's ODI squad for the Tri-Nation Series with Pakistan and England, lacking medical clearance.
Nissanka picked up a left hamstring injury on Sri Lanka's tour of England and has not been cleared to play again.
Lahiru Udara comes into the ODI squad as Nissanka's replacement for the tri-nation tournament.
Captains named: Kusal Mendis for Sri Lanka, Harry Brook for England and Shaheen Shah Afridi for Pakistan.
Pakistan's last ODI series before this was against Australia in June, which they won 2-1.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 3-0 in their last ODI series, during Sri Lanka's November 2025 tour.
Facts taken from the stories linked beside them, each from a sentence in the original.
SLA 1ST
- 49.5
Over 50. 8 runs. Bowler: Josh Tongue. Sri Lanka: 430/8(rr 8.60)
- 49.5
SIX! Josh Tongue to Janith Liyanage. Leg cutter half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control over long off for 6 runs. Sri Lanka have pulled off a sensational victory, defeating England by just two wickets in a breathtaking run chase! Pavan Rathnayake produced a magnificent century, while Dasun Shanaka unleashed a stunning counterattack to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt. Janith Liyanage held his nerve under immense pressure, guiding his team closer to the target. With the tension rising until the very last moments, Sri Lanka crossed the line in unforgettable fashion! England fought hard, but Sri Lanka have emerged victorious in a spectacular contest! Pavan Rathnayake is the Player of the Match.
- 49.4
Josh Tongue to Asitha Fernando. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, thick edge in the air uncontrolled to deep backward point for 1 run, mis-fielded by Dawson.
- 49.3
OUT! Bowled. Josh Tongue to Eshan Malinga. Reverse Swing-In half volley, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad. Two-in-two!
- 49.2
OUT! Bowled. Josh Tongue to Dunith Wellalage. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, hit pad. Crashed into the stumps.
- 49.1
Josh Tongue to Janith Liyanage. Leg cutter back of a length, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, Played in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Jacks.
- 49.0
Over 49. 5 runs. Bowler: Jamie Overton. Sri Lanka: 422/6(rr 8.61)
- 48.6
Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed to long on for 1 run, fielded by Banton.
- 48.5
Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Cox.
- 48.4
Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage. Off cutter length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
- 48.3
Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, hit body to short leg for no runs.
- 48.2
Jamie Overton to Dunith Wellalage. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot Steer, Played to third man for 2 runs, fielded by Tongue, mis-fielded by Cox.
- 48.1
Jamie Overton to Janith Liyanage. Off cutter length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, thick edge in the air uncontrolled to third man for 1 run, fielded by Jacks.
- 48.0
Over 48. 11 runs. Bowler: Will Jacks. Sri Lanka: 417/6(rr 8.69)
- 47.6
FOUR! Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control past long on for 4 runs.
- 47.5
Will Jacks to Janith Liyanage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to backward point for 1 run, fielded by Atkinson.
- 47.4
FOUR! Will Jacks to Janith Liyanage. Off break full toss, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed past long on for 4 runs.
- 47.3
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break half volley, to leg on the front foot working, Played to long on for 1 run, fielded by Overton.
- 47.2
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to point for no runs, fielded by Dawson.
- 47.1
Will Jacks to Janith Liyanage. Off break full toss, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 1 run, fielded by Banton.
- 46.6
OUT! Caught. Sam Curran to Sahan Arachchige. Reverse Swing-In full toss, outside off stump backing away Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Jacks. Another one bites the dust.
- 43.6
OUT! Caught. Liam Dawson to Dasun Shanaka. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Banton. Another Sri Lankan batter dismissed in the 90s.
- 40.2
OUT! Caught. Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake. Length ball, down leg side on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Banton. A valiant knock comes to an end.
- 27.1
OUT! Caught & Bowled. Jamie Overton to Avishka Fernando. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, leading edge in the air uncontrolled to silly mid on, caught by Overton. A brilliant innings from Avishka Fernando comes to an end.
- 4.2
OUT! Run Out. Gus Atkinson to Avishka Fernando. In-swinging half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to silly mid on. Unlucky dismissal!
- 3.6
OUT! Bowled. Josh Tongue to Kamindu Mendis. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed. Cleaned him up.
ENG 1ST
- 50.0
Over 50. 16 runs. Bowler: Janith Liyanage. England: 429/4(rr 8.58)
- 49.6
OUT! Caught. Janith Liyanage to Harry Brook. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward point, caught by Arachchige. England have put on a commanding batting display, piling up a massive 429 for 4 in their 50 overs. Harry Brook led the charge with a breathtaking double century, the first by an English batter in ODIs, dismantling the Sri Lankan bowling attack with an incredible blend of power and precision. Joe Root provided valuable support with a composed half-century, while Will Jacks delivered a blistering unbeaten finish to push England to a daunting total. Dunith Wellalage was Sri Lanka's most effective bowler, claiming two wickets, but the rest of the attack couldn't contain England, and Brook's, power. With a mountain to climb, Sri Lanka face a tough test as they prepare for their run chase.
- 49.5
Janith Liyanage to Harry Brook. Full toss, outside off stump on the front foot working, Played to long on for 2 runs, fielded by Shanaka.
- 49.4
FOUR! Janith Liyanage to Harry Brook. Full toss, outside off stump moves in front Scoop, well timed in the air under control past fine leg for 4 runs.
- 49.3
Janith Liyanage to Harry Brook. Half volley, outside off stump backing away driving, Played in the air under control to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by Arachchige.
- 49.2
Janith Liyanage to Harry Brook. Full toss, outside off stump backing away driving, Played to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by Arachchige.
- 49.1
SIX! Janith Liyanage to Harry Brook. Slower length ball, wide outside off stump backing away driving, well timed in the air under control over deep cover for 6 runs.
- 49.0
Over 49. 16 runs. Bowler: Dilshan Madushanka. England: 413/3(rr 8.43)
- 48.6
Dilshan Madushanka to Harry Brook. Full toss, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid off for 1 run, dropped catch by Vimukthi, fielded by Arachchige.
- 48.5
Dilshan Madushanka to Harry Brook. Length ball, off stump backing away Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep point for 2 runs, fielded by Wellalage.
- 48.4
Dilshan Madushanka to Harry Brook. Full toss, outside off stump backing away driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Mendis.
- 48.3
SIX! Dilshan Madushanka to Harry Brook. Reverse Swing-In full toss, wide down leg side backing away Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep backward square leg for 6 runs.
- 48.2
Dilshan Madushanka to Will Jacks. Length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, Played to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Rathnayake.
- 48.1
SIX! Dilshan Madushanka to Will Jacks. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep extra cover for 6 runs. Massive!
- 48.0
Over 48. 24 runs. Bowler: Dasun Shanaka. England: 397/3(rr 8.27)
- 47.6
Dasun Shanaka to Will Jacks. Short, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, Played to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Rathnayake.
- 47.5
FOUR! Dasun Shanaka to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-Out full toss, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control past deep cover for 4 runs.
- 47.4
Dasun Shanaka to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-Out length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by Arachchige.
- 47.3
FOUR! Dasun Shanaka to Will Jacks. Full toss, outside off stump ducked Slog, well timed in the air under control past deep backward square leg for 4 runs.
- 47.2
Wide Dasun Shanaka to Will Jacks. Short, wide outside off stump on the front foot Leave, Left for 1 run, fielded by Mendis.
- 37.1
OUT! Caught. Asitha Fernando to Joe Root. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot flick, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid wicket, caught by Wellalage. Asitha Fernando put an end to the crucial partnership.
- 15.6
OUT! L.B.W. Dunith Wellalage to Ben Duckett. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot sweeping, hit pad. Another opener is gone.
- 13.2
OUT! Caught. Dunith Wellalage to Tom Banton. Stock ball half volley, to leg on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off, caught by Vimukthi. Dunith Wellalage breaks the opening partnership.