England produced a commanding batting display at the R Premadasa Stadium to secure a decisive victory in the third One-Day International, sealing the three-match series with a performance built on authority, intent, and clarity. The visitors posted an imposing total before backing it up with disciplined bowling to outlast a spirited Sri Lankan response.
England’s innings was shaped by a dominant partnership that steadily shifted the balance of the contest. After an early setback, the visitors regrouped through calm accumulation before unleashing sustained aggression in the latter half of the innings. The middle overs were negotiated with control, but the final phase saw England accelerate at a rate Sri Lanka struggled to contain.
Harry Brook led from the front with an innings that blended innovation with power. His approach was fearless, regularly targeting the shorter boundaries and refusing to let the bowlers settle. Brook’s tempo changed gears seamlessly, turning a competitive platform into a commanding total during the final ten overs.
At the other end, Joe Root played the perfect supporting role, anchoring the innings with composure and precision. His shot selection ensured England retained stability even as boundaries flowed freely around him.
The partnership between Brook and Root proved decisive, stretching the Sri Lankan attack and draining any momentum the hosts hoped to build. By the time England crossed the 300-run mark, the match had tilted heavily in their favour, forcing Sri Lanka into an aggressive chase from the outset.
Sri Lanka’s response began with urgency, as the openers attacked the new ball and briefly threatened to keep pace with the required rate. However, regular wickets in the powerplay and middle overs disrupted their momentum. Despite losing partners, one middle-order batter stood firm, crafting a determined century that kept the contest alive deep into the chase.
England’s bowlers maintained control through smart variations and disciplined lines. The spinners applied pressure during the middle phase, while the seamers returned at key moments to break partnerships. As the asking rate climbed, Sri Lanka were forced into riskier options, leading to further wickets and ultimately ending their pursuit short of the target.
The victory marked a significant milestone for England, delivering a rare overseas ODI series triumph and underlining their growing confidence in the format. For Sri Lanka, the defeat highlighted areas requiring attention, particularly against sustained high-intensity batting.
Brief Scores :
England 357/3 in 50 overs
(Harry Brook 136*, Joe Root 111*)
Sri Lanka 304 all out in 46.4 overs
(Pavan Rathnayake 121, Pathum Nissanka 50)
Result: England won by 53 runs and clinched the series 2–1
