Sri Lanka Outspin England To Take ODI Series Lead

On a warm Thursday in Colombo, Sri Lanka seized the early momentum in their home ODI series against England, clinching a thrilling 19-run victory in the first of three matches. The hosts, led by a beaming Charith Asalanka, not only outplayed England on a pitch tailor-made for spin but also showcased the kind of resilience and tactical nous that makes them so formidable on home soil. With this win, Sri Lanka now lead the series 1-0, piling pressure on the visitors ahead of the second ODI scheduled for January 24.

The day began with Sri Lanka winning the toss and electing to bat first. "Looks a good pitch, want a good score on the board," Asalanka declared at the toss, a decision that proved wise as the game unfolded. England, meanwhile, were forced into a last-minute change as Will Jacks was sidelined by illness, prompting the inclusion of young legspinner Rehan Ahmed. England captain Harry Brook, echoing the challenge ahead, admitted, “I would have liked to bat first, but it is what it is.”

Sri Lanka’s lineup featured the return of Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva to the ODI fold after a hiatus since November 2023, while star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was rested to focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup. The hosts leaned heavily on spin, fielding Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay as specialist slow bowlers, with de Silva and Asalanka himself offering off-spin options. England’s own spin arsenal included Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell, and Joe Root, but it was the Sri Lankan quartet that made the greater impact.

Batting first, Sri Lanka put up a competitive total, comfortably surpassing the R. Premadasa Stadium’s average ODI score of 223. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provided steady starts, but the innings was truly anchored by wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis. Despite nursing a back niggle, Mendis crafted a gritty, unbeaten 93, holding the innings together as wickets tumbled at the other end. His resolve was especially evident in a crucial 88-run partnership with Janith Liyanage for the fifth wicket, which steadied the ship after a mid-innings wobble.

Late in the innings, Dunith Wellalage added a vital flourish, helping Sri Lanka push their total beyond 270—a score that would ultimately prove just enough. England’s bowlers, especially Adil Rashid who finished with three wickets, kept chipping away but lacked the killer blow at crucial moments. Asalanka later reflected, “In the first 25 overs, the ball would not spin, so I instructed the bowlers to keep it tight. After the 25th over, the ball started to turn, and the spinners bowled effectively.”

Chasing 272 for victory, England’s reply began on a shaky note. Zak Crawley was dismissed inside the first three overs, caught by Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando for just 6. The pitch, slow and increasingly two-paced, demanded patience and skill—qualities Ben Duckett and Joe Root brought to the crease. Together, they stitched a 117-run partnership, with Duckett grinding out 62 and Root compiling a classy 61. Their stand gave England a solid foundation, and for a while, the visitors looked in control at 129/1.

But cricket can turn in a heartbeat, especially in the subcontinent. The introduction of spin under the lights proved decisive. Jeffrey Vandersay broke the partnership, trapping Duckett leg before wicket, and Dhananjaya de Silva soon followed by dismissing Root, also LBW. What followed was a collapse that exposed England’s ongoing middle-order frailties—a slide from 129/1 to 213/9 as wickets fell in a heap. Charith Asalanka, bowling himself, outfoxed Harry Brook with a clever change of pace, while Wellalage and Vandersay continued to apply the squeeze.

England’s hopes flickered late in the chase, thanks to a bold counterattack from Jamie Overton. Known for his raw power, Overton launched a series of boundaries and sixes, clawing back some respectability and briefly threatening a miracle finish. With 34 needed off the final 12 balls, Overton kept swinging, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers held their nerve. Pramod Madushan, tasked with bowling the last over, delivered under pressure. Overton was eventually dismissed for a valiant 34, caught by Wellalage in the deep, confirming Sri Lanka’s 19-run win and sparking celebrations among the home fans.

After the match, Asalanka praised his team’s execution, especially the bowlers. “There are areas to improve, particularly in pace bowling, but otherwise the team performed well. Wellalage caused significant damage, took two wickets, and took a couple of good catches,” he said. Wellalage, named Player of the Match for his all-round display, humbly credited his focus on supporting Mendis with the bat and maintaining pace variations with the ball.

England captain Brook was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the toss as a pivotal moment. “Sri Lanka played a better game and deserved the victory. Our spinners bowled well, but Sri Lanka got the better of us in the final over, which can happen in ODI cricket. Duckett and Root batted well, but losing a few quick wickets in the middle overs put us on the back foot.”

For England, this defeat extends their difficult run in the ODI format, coming on the heels of an Ashes series loss in Australia earlier this month. The middle-order inconsistencies remain a concern, with the batting heavily reliant on Root and, to a lesser extent, Duckett. The visitors will need to regroup quickly, as the second ODI looms large in Colombo.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will look to build on this momentum. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon and a young, dynamic squad at their disposal, Asalanka’s men have sent a strong message—not just to England, but to the cricketing world. Their spinners, sharp fielding, and tactical acumen on slow home pitches make them a tough nut to crack.

As the teams prepare for the next clash, all eyes will be on how England respond to the challenge and whether Sri Lanka can seal the series on Saturday. For now, though, it’s the hosts who celebrate—a hard-earned win, a 1-0 series lead, and a perfect start to what promises to be an enthralling contest.