By Dwayne Ferreira
Sri Lanka’s spinners spun a ruthless web in Colombo, turning a match England seemed to control into a dramatic collapse that handed the hosts a gripping 19-run victory and a 1–0 series lead.
Sri Lanka’s mastery of home conditions was on full display last night at the R. Premadasa Stadium as they secured a hard-fought 19-run victory over England in the first ODI. Despite a century-stand between Joe Root and Ben Duckett that seemed to put the visitors in the driver’s seat, a dramatic middle-order collapse triggered by Sri Lanka’s spin quartet ensured the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 271/6. The innings was defined by a masterclass in accumulation from Kusal Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 93 off 117 balls. Mendis weathered a mid-innings storm where Adil Rashid (3/44) threatened to derail the hosts, reducing them to 124/4.
The momentum shifted decisively in the final over. Dunith Wellalage, later named Player of the Match, launched a blistering assault on Jamie Overton, carting him for 23 runs in just six balls. Wellalage’s unbeaten 25 off 12 dragged the total past the 270 mark, a psychological blow that proved to be the difference.
England’s chase began with a familiar stumble as Zak Crawley fell early for 6, but a 117-run partnership between Ben Duckett (62) and Joe Root (61) brought the required rate under control. At 129/1 in the 28th over, England looked destined for victory.
However, the introduction of Jeffrey Vandersay and the return of Dunith Wellalage turned the game on its head. Duckett was the first to go, trapped LBW by Vandersay, and when Joe Root misjudged a sweep off Dhananjaya de Silva to be ruled out after a successful Sri Lankan review, the floodgates opened. England’s middle order, including captain Harry Brook (6) and Jos Buttler (19), succumbed to the mounting pressure and a surface that began to grip and turn.
England slumped to 213/9, but Jamie Overton attempted to atone for his expensive bowling with a muscular 34 off 17 balls. Alongside Adil Rashid, he brought the target down to 20 runs off the final over. However, Pramod Madushan (3/39) held his nerve, dismissing Overton to bowl England out for 252 with four balls to spare.
”We were in a great position, but we failed to finish the job,” Harry Brook admitted after the match.
The two teams remain in Colombo for the second ODI on Saturday, where England must find a way to decode Sri Lanka’s spin trap to keep the series alive.
Chief Scores:-
Sri Lanka – 271 for 6 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 93*, Janith Liyanage 46, Kamil Mishara 27, Adil Rashid 3 for 44, Liam Dawson 1 for 31, Sam Curran 1 for 40)
England – 252 all out in 49.2 overs (Ben Duckett 62, Joe Root 61, Jamie Overton 34, Pramod Madushan 3 for 39, Jeffrey Vandersay 2 for 39, Dunith Wellalage 2 for 41)
Player of the Match – Dunith Wellalage (25* and 2 for 41)
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