England clinch ODI series with third-match win
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Tom Banton recorded his maiden ODI century, Harry Brook made a rapid 77 and Jordan Cox struck 76 off 52 balls as England's onslaught once again left the Sri Lankan batters helpless, the visitors romping to a massive 223-run win in the third ODI tonight (27th). With it, England took the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Chasing a huge target of 356 for victory, Sri Lanka were bowled out within the first 30 overs for just 132. Slipping to 53 for 3 and then 77 for 5, Sri Lanka saw not a single batter go past 35 by the close of the innings.
The only batter to show any real quality in the Sri Lankan innings was Kusal Mendis. His 35, which included three sixes and two fours, was the highest score of the innings.
Chasing a massive target of 356, Sri Lanka's innings folded for 132 in 29.1 overs, and England's win became their fifth biggest victory by runs in ODI internationals.
Sri Lanka, batting in pursuit of a big target, were under severe pressure from the England bowlers right from the start. The first wicket fell when Pathum Nissanka went for 1, spooning a catch to Jordan Cox off Sonny Baker.
Kamindu Mendis fell for 12, offering a catch to Ben Duckett off Gus Atkinson. Captain Kusal Mendis added some momentum with 35 off 26 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes, but he too fell, lobbing a catch to Tom Banton off Atkinson.
Pavan Rathnayake was then run out for 18. He was dismissed while attempting to take a second run off a Jofra Archer delivery.
Pavan Rathnayake's dismissal drew special attention during the match, as he became a batter who was given out – then not out – and then out again at the very same moment. In the 15th over, the umpire ruled Pavan run out from a Jofra Archer fielding effort, but because the bails had come off Jordan Cox's gloves, the decision was initially changed to 'not out'. However, since Archer's throw had completely dislodged one of the stumps from the ground, the third umpire finally confirmed, under the laws of cricket, that the wicket had been broken and that Pavan was out for 18. It was also notable that the umpires took close to seven minutes to reach the decision.
After Pavan Rathnayake fell at 77, Charith Asalanka's dismissal at the same score was a heavy blow to the Sri Lankan innings. Asalanka went for 7, offering a catch to Jamie Overton off Joe Root.
Bowling for England, Liam Dawson took 3 wickets for 26 runs, his best bowling figures in ODI international cricket. Gus Atkinson took 2 for 26, while Will Jacks, Joe Root and Jamie Overton shared a wicket each.
Although Ben Duckett fell for a duck at the very start of the England innings, Banton and Joe Root tried to rebuild for the second wicket. After Root was dismissed for 18, Banton joined Harry Brook and gave the England innings a strong foundation.
Banton made 126 off 105 balls with 16 fours and 5 sixes, completing his first international century. Brook made 77 off 66 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Together they built a 150-run partnership for the third wicket.
After Brook fell, Jordan Cox, who came into the side in place of Jos Buttler, batted rapidly to make 76 off 52 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. With Will Jacks making 25 and Jamie Overton an unbeaten 21, England reached 355 for 7 at the end of 50 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando took 3 wickets for 64 runs, while Sachindu Colombage took 2 for 71.
This was the 11th win in 13 matches this season for the Harry Brook-led England white-ball side.
England – 355/7 (50 overs) – Tom Banton 126, Harry Brook 77, Jordan Cox 76, Will Jacks 25, Jamie Overton 21 not out, Joe Root 18, Ben Duckett 0, Liam Dawson 0, Asitha Fernando 64/3, Sachindu Colombage 71/2, Dilshan Madushanka 49/1, Janith Liyanage 37/1.
Sri Lanka – 132 (29.1 overs) – Kusal Mendis 35, Janith Liyanage 19, Pavan Rathnayake 18, Eshan Malinga 14, Kamindu Mendis 12, Charith Asalanka 7, Asitha Fernando 6, Dunith Wellalage 5, Sachindu Colombage 4, Pathum Nissanka 1, Dilshan Madushanka 2 not out, Liam Dawson 26/3, Gus Atkinson 26/2, Will Jacks 8/1, Joe Root 15/1, Jamie Overton 10/1, Sonny Baker 27/1.
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting