COLOMBO — Sri Lanka kicked off their three-match ODI series against England with a thrilling 19-run victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday, showcasing power with both bat and ball to take a 1-0 lead.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts set a competitive target of 271 for 6 in their 50 overs. Veteran batter Kusal Mendis played a composed innings, finishing unbeaten on 93, anchoring the Sri Lankan total while Janith Liyanage (46) provided valuable support in the middle overs.
England’s chase looked promising early as Ben Duckett (62) and Joe Root (61) put together a strong opening partnership, lifting the tourists to 129 for 1 and seemingly on course for victory. However, once that stand was broken, Sri Lanka’s spin attack exerted pressure, triggering a collapse in the middle overs and stifling the run rate.
Despite a late flurry from Jamie Overton (34 off 17 balls) that brought England back into contention late in the innings, the visitors were eventually dismissed for 252 in the 49th over, falling short of the target. Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with spin proving decisive on the slow, turning surface.
All-rounder Dunith Wellalage was named Player of the Match for his impactful performance with both bat and ball — contributing crucial late runs and key breakthroughs with the ball that helped swing the game in Sri Lanka’s favor.
The win underscores Sri Lanka’s strength in home conditions ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, while England will look to regroup quickly with the second ODI scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.