England 15-1 (Root 2, Duckett 6)Overs: 4.0, Target: 272
Hopefully Harry Brook has his pads on, because he’ll be in sooner rather than later based on how Duckett’s playing.
The opener gets an inside edge three times, two almost crashing into his stumps and the other one not far away from carrying to Mendis.
England 12-1 (Root 1, Duckett 6)Overs: 3.0, Target: 272
Joe Root survives the two remaining balls in the over (one was wide), he’s one of the best batsmen in ODI history and averages 48 in the format though he had a poor ODI tour of New Zealand.
Earlier in the over, Crawley had completely missed a Fernando that missed the stumps by a matter of centimetres, though Duckett did also drive a gift to the boundary.
WICKET! Crawley c Mendis b Fernando 6 England 12/1 Overs: 2.5, Target: 272
To no one’s surprise, Crawley is gone! He’d been living very dangerously and drives at a ball that’s way too wide, with Mendis taking the catch.
Crawley only survived 10 balls before the wicket delivery and he could’ve been out on at least 3 of them.
England 7-0 (Crawley 6, Duckett 1)Overs: 2.0, Target: 272
England are off the mark!
Duckett smartly flicks Pramod Madushan for a single, but that means Crawley is back on strike and without wanting to pile on, he’s looked like a walking wicket so far.
The ball beats the bat again before he finally beats the field, scoring two, and then he punches Madushan through the leg side for four!
England 0-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett 0)Overs: 1.0, Target: 272
A hostile first over by Asitha Fernando, and it’s a nervy start for Zak Crawley and England!
Twice he’s hit on the pads to huge appeals from Sri Lanka, twice the umpire waves them away and The Lions opt against reviewing.
He is unable to get off the mark.
England batters out
Duckett and Crawley are in the middle, so it’s almost time for the second innings to start!
England bowling figures
The spinners found the most joy, while Curran bounced back admirably from a tough start.
Overton (9) 0/66 – 7.33
Curran (8) 1/40 – 5.00
Dawson (10) 1/31 – 3.10
Rashid (10) 3/44 – 4.40
Ahmed (10) 1/61 – 6.10
Bethell (3) 0.19 – 6.33
WATCH: Dancing with The Lions
In the sleepy middle overs of the game, thankfully one fan was here to keep us entertained…
‘Go on!’ – Fan wows with dance moves during Sri Lanka v England
Video credit: TNT Sports
BREAKING: Luke Wright to step down as selector
Off the field, Luke Wright is into his final month as an England selector!
He played 70 times for England in white-ball cricket and has been a selector since retiring as a player in November 2022.
WATCH: Curran variations analysis
He certainly fared better than fellow pacer Overton…
How ‘smart’ Curran mixed up his deliveries in first ODI
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sri Lanka 271/6 (50.0)
This is the tale of the Sri Lankan innings, plenty of players got starts but they could’ve done with any of Nissanka, Mishara or Asalanka kicking on towards 50 with Mendis.
Wellalage’s cameo could be very useful.
1. Nissanka 21 (30) c Dawson b Curran – 70.00
2. Mishara 27 (37) b Rashid – 79.48
3. Mendis 93* (117) – 79.48
4. Dhananjaya 10 (21) – 47.61
5. Asalanka 17 (16) – 106.25
6. Liyanage 46 (53) – 86.79
7. Pavan Rathnayake 12 (14) – 85.71
8. Wellalage 25* (12) – 208.33
Sri Lanka 271-6 (Mendis 93, Wellalage 25)Overs: 50.0
What a final over! Mendis is stranded in the 90s but that’s because Wellalage exploded.
He blasted Overton for six off the first ball, then snuck than run on the wide with Mendis only able to score one with his chance.
Three fours followed, and the pair cross for two from the final ball!
Review! Wellalage run out?
Overton bowls a wide and Mendis tries to sneak a run!
He’s off the mark quickly so Buttler must throw to the bowler’s end, this will be close!
But he’s not out by a matter of inches, great running by the Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka 248-6 (Mendis 92, Wellalage 5)Overs: 49.0
Tom Banton is on as a sub fielder and keeps Wellalage on strike, meaning it looks like Mendis will miss out on his century.
Overton will take the last over, Sri Lanka will want to break 260.
Sri Lanka 241-6 (Mendis 91, Wellalage 1)Overs: 48.0
Wellalage remains on strike so Mendis will face Curran in the penultimate over.
Dawson really deserved that wicket, he’s bowled fantastically today keeping the pressure firmly on the batters.
WATCH: Rashid takes third victim
England would be in real trouble if this partnership was still rocking along.
Rashid breaks Sri Lanka stand with caught-and-bowled wicket
Video credit: TNT Sports
WICKET! Rathnayake c Overton b Dawson 12, Sri Lanka 239/6-5Overs: 47.2
That’s not what the hosts need! The number seven tries to hurry things along but he only finds Overton at deep extra cover, who takes a routine catch.
Dunith Wellalage is the new man, he’s the last Sri Lankan available who can hold a bat.
Sri Lanka 239-5 (Mendis 90, Pavan Rathnayake 12) Overs: 47.0
As Overton returns, so Mendis pushes the pace!
He scoops the bowler over Buttler for four and he manages to come back for two off his last ball, meaning he’ll face Dawson in the next over.
Sri Lanka 229-5 (Mendis 83, Pavan Rathnayake 10) Overs: 46.0
Sri Lanka continue to nurdle, it’s 21 balls since the last boundary which isn’t fantastic in the last 10 overs of the boundary.
Ahmed’s day is done unless he needs to bat, he finishes 1/61.
Sri Lanka 223-5 (Mendis 81, Pavan Rathnayake 6)Overs: 45.0
Rashid is done for the day! And what a performance it’s been: 3/44 for five fours and no sixes.
Once again, Sri Lanka can only get singles.
Sri Lanka 219-5 (Mendis 79, Pavan Rathnayake 4)Overs: 44.0
Six singles for Sri Lanka who remain on track to breach 250 if they don’t lose any more wickets.
With the fielders back, there’s plenty of runs to be had, and can Mendis reach three figures in the last 36 balls? He fully deserves it.
Sri Lanka 213-5 (Mendis 76, Pavan Rathnayake 1)Overs: 43.0
Pavan Rathnayake scoops the ball past vacant mid on so will remain on strike, can he do the damage late on?
Rashid’s next over will be his last, Ahmed has two more to give and is up next…
WICKET! Liyanage c & b Rashid 46, Sri Lanka 212-5Overs: 42.5
Disaster for Sri Lanka! After blasting another four, the partnership of 88 is broken as Liyanage holes out a googly back towards Rashid who takes the catch fantastically!
It’s advantage England again.
Sri Lanka 205-4 (Mendis 74, Liyanage 41)Overs: 42.0
Liyanage hammers Curran back over his head for the third six of the innings, he’s closing in on 50!
And The Lions have reached 200, if this partnership can stay at the crease until the end then they could do some serious late damage to England.
Sri Lanka 197-4 (Mendis 73, Liyanage 34)Overs: 41.0
Aiming for six per over, Sri Lanka have started on target! Largely thanks to a devilish bounce in front of Root at backward point, with two more singles off Ahmed.
Brook will want to bowl out his spinners, with Sri Lanka thriving against the quicks, Dawson has one over left, Ahmed and Rashid each have two.
Review! Mendis stumped?
The umpires have gone upstairs to check if Mendis can survive. But one replay is enough to confirm his foot was on the crease.
Sri Lanka 191-4 (Mendis 68, Liyanage 33)Overs: 40.0
Another brilliant over by Dawson, as Liyanage twice tries to play through cover but is thwarted both times by great diving stops from Harry Brook.
Sri Lanka will hope for six an over in the final stretch.
Sri Lanka 190-4 (Mendis 67, Liyanage 33)Overs: 39.0
Mendis swept Curran fantastically for four early in the over but he’s not looking comfortable since collapsing.
He got a single at the end of the over so will be back on strike, facing Dawson.
Mendis in trouble
Mendis immediately drops to his needs after blocking a ball, it looks like it could be a trapped nerve in his back.
It would be a huge shame for the contest if he does need to retire.
Sri Lanka 185-4 (Mendis 62, Liyanage 33)Overs: 38.0
Liyanage has led the innings in the past few overs and will reach his 50 before long if he keeps this up!
After a pair of singles, England half-heartedly appeal for caught behind but opt not to review, with neither captain, keeper nor bowler looking too keen.
The next ball also beats the batter but Buttler also misses it, then Liyanage slaps Ahmed for four the very next ball in celebration.
Sri Lanka 175-4 (Mendis 61, Liyanage 28) Overs: 37.0
More attacking shots by Liyanage, as Curran rejoins the attack, this time he slashes a cutter past the despairing dive of mid-off and for four.
England may not be too downheartened that Sri Lanka are shaking off their shackles though, the next wicket will be big.
Sri Lanka 169-4 (Mendis 60, Liyanage 23)Overs: 36.0
It doesn’t rain but it pours for Zak Crawley!
We just said Sri Lanka need to hit out and Liyanage chooses Bethell as his target, dancing three metres down the track to blast the part-timer over deep cover for six!
He takes another huge swing the very next ball, but doesn’t quite get hold of it, and the ball drops to Crawley.
Yet the under-fire opener had lost it in the sun and it passes under his arms for another four.
Sri Lanka 158-4 (Mendis 59, Liyanage 13)Overs: 35.0
Brook’s captaincy has been excellent today, with his bowling change-ups perfectly timed.
Rashid only concedes two runs from his return to the attack and Sri Lanka need to break out.
Sri Lanka 156-4 (Mendis 58, Liyanage 12)Overs: 34.0
Dawson’s economy of 3.5 is throttling Sri Lanka right now, if The Lions can’t push the run rate soon then they’ll be in a world of trouble.
Sri Lanka 153-4 (Mendis 57, Liyanage 10)Overs: 33.0
Bethell rattles through another over, it’s the most expensive in a while but it’s now 26 balls since Sri Lanka hit a boundary.
England have been good at limiting the quick singles so far.
WATCH: Ahmed removes Danger Man Asalanka
It’s this wicket that’s allowed England to ratchet up the pressure now.
Ahmed removes captain Asalanka as England take fourth wicket
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sri Lanka 147-4 (Mendis 53, Liyanage 8)Overs: 32.0
This is great by England. Since Mendis smashed Ahmed for consecutive fours to bring up his half-century, England have only conceded seven runs in four overs.
This pair can’t afford to smash the accelerator yet given the limited batting they have left in the lineup, and Dawson’s bowling so tidily.
Sri Lanka 145-4 (Mendis 52, Liyanage 7)Overs: 31.0
As predicted, Brook throws Bethell the ball and he gives a pretty tidy first over with the majority of his balls aimed at Mendis.
He looked fabulous raising his bat in Sri Lanka’s gorgeous retro kit.
Sri Lanka 143-4 (Mendis 51, Liyanage 6)Overs: 30.0
A so-so over by Overton leaks three including a wide, and it’s time for another drinks break.
That’s Mendis’ first 50 in this format since July – he’d only scored 97 runs in his last five innings at an average of 19.5.
But he’s been in control so far today, patient but still aggressive, and Brook could consider a bowling change here.
Sri Lanka 140-4 (Mendis 50, Liyanage 4)Overs: 29.0
Mendis has his 50! And he got there in style.
The pair switched singles, he drove Ahmed with an angled bat to the boundary, then slaps him straight on for a one-bounce four to bring up his eighth half-century in ODIs.
He is the danger man.
Sri Lanka 130-4 (Mendis 41, Liyanage 4)Overs: 28.0
Another over for Overton, and it’s a good one as he only leaks a single run. The next 12 overs will be crucial – if Asalanka was still in Sri Lanka would be feeling more confident.
Kusal Mendis has been pegged back after he really accelerated through the spinners.
Sri Lanka 129-4 (Mendis 40, Liyanage 4)Overs: 27.0
Janith Liyanage actually has the best average in the Sri Lankan side – 45 from 26 innings though he’s aided by a lot of not-outs, with his average per innings at 35.
The home fans need him to stick around, and he immediately goes on the attack.
WICKET! Asalanka c Brook b Ahmed 17, Sri Lanka 124-4Overs: 26.2
And it’s the big one!
We said Ahmed had a knack of picking up unexpected wickets and that’s exactly what happens as Asalanka top-edges the ball.
Brook’s standing at slip and it’s a good job he was, as Buttler lost the ball in the sun and needed his skipper.
Sri Lanka 121-3 (Mendis 39, Asalanka 15)Overs: 26.0
What an eventful over! And not in a good way for England, as so much of that pressure the spinners had built up gets released.
Overton is edged for four with no slip in place, then bowls a wider line and is flayed to the boundary.
After Asalanka flicks him for another single, Overton nips one back into Mendis and appeals for the LBW but it was likely heading down leg side and possibly high.
Sri Lanka 111-3 (Mendis 38, Asalanka 6)Overs: 25.0
Perhaps the Sri Lankan coaches are reading this blog, as they steal another quick single with Ahmed continuing.
We’re reaching the halfway stage and if The Lions are to reach what looks like a par score of 250, they’ll need to get change out of this partnership.
Sri Lanka’s tail is truly awful, their last three batters’ combined average is 21.
Sri Lanka 108-3 (Mendis 37, Asalanka 4)Overs: 24.0
Mendis unfurls a sumptuous pull shot from a slower Rashid ball that the keeper did very well to time as he had to adjust last-minute.
There’s more excitement as Asalanka looks to steal a run and gets through in time, we’ve not seen many quick singles so far.
Sri Lanka 102-3 (Mendis 32, Asalanka 3)Overs: 23.0
With the new batter in, Brook elected to sneak in an over for his worst spinner so far today.
Four singles follow, Ahmed still isn’t into his rhythm but he has a knack of finding unexpected wickets.
Sri Lanka 98-3 (Mendis 30, Asalanka 1)Overs: 22.0
Asalanka knocks the last ball to get off the mark so he’ll face the next over, which will see Rehan Ahmed return to the attack.
Not out! Sri Lanka 97-3 (Mendis 30, Asalanka 0)Overs: 21.5
It did indeed strike Asalanka’s risk, so Sri Lanka’s best batter survives! This could be the crucial partnership for The Lions.
Review! LBW on Asalanka?
A speculative shout was waved away the ball before, this time England are more confident and despite Wimalasiri’s pessimism Brook immediately calls for a review.
The big question will be whether it hit Asalanka’s arm or pad as he missed a sweep shot because if it’s the latter then he’s plum.
WICKET! Dhananjaya LBW b Rashid 10, Sri Lanka 97-3 Overs: 21.2
Rashid strikes back!
He’d gone for a few in his last couple of overs but after that Dawson maiden increased the pressure on our two batsmen, Dhananjaya attempted play through it and is thwacked on the pad, with umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri having no hesitation in raising his finger.
Dhananjaya never even considered the review, he’s gone for 10 from 21.
Sri Lanka 97-2 (Mendis 30, Dhananjaya 10)Overs: 21.0
Dawson bowls a maiden! It’s the first of the game, he’s been the pick of the spinners so far and his firing them down quicker despite the pitch suggesting it’s better to take pace off.
Sri Lanka 97-2 (Mendis 30, Dhananjaya 10)Overs: 20.0
There’s a tremendous noise coming from outside the stadium, drowning out even the pop music pumping out of the stadium speakers in the over break.
Mendis doesn’t care though, he sweeps Rashid to the boundary for his fifth four of the game showing he’s very confident right now.
Rashid did pick up the wicket but he’s going for more runs than Brook will like so we could see him pulled from the attack.
WATCH: Mishara bamboozled by Rashid
The opener undid all his good work with some horrendous foot placement.
Rashid bowls Mishara as England take second wicket
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sri Lanka 90-2 (Mendis 24, Dhananjaya 9)Overs: 19.0
It’s time for drinks with 38% of the innings complete, and England definitely won that portion of the match.
They’ve disrupted a threatening opening partnership, though Mendis hit back well and looks like the danger man.
That last over by Dawson was able to stem the bleeding at least, he went for just one.
Sri Lanka 89-2 (Mendis 23, Dhananjaya 9)Overs: 18.0
While Mendis took a while to get going, he’s really rattling along now at 23 for 28.
Rashid sends down a quicker ball but the wicketkeeper reads it in time and just deflects it on the off side past Buttler for yet another boundary.
WATCH: Curran traps Nissanka
Nissanka was beautifully set up by Sam Curran, who had dropped out of the attack early.
Curran strikes with slower ball to break opening stand
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sri Lanka 82-2 (Mendis 17, Dhananjaya 8)Overs: 17.0
These two are starting to enjoy themselves, and it’s an expensive over by Dawson.
He’s clipped dismissively by Mendis for four, then turned round the corner the very next ball, both shots placed perfectly to beat the fielders by inches.
There’s three more singles too, and suddenly the run rate is ticking up again.
Sri Lanka 71-2 (Mendis 12, Dhananjaya 7)Overs: 16.0
It’s the beauty of one-day cricket, the pendulum swings yet again!
Rashid beats De Silva with a slower delivery, but he responds by dancing down the ground and lifting the veteran spinner back over his head for a one-bounce four.
Dawson will be back into the attack next.
Sri Lanka 65-2 (Mendis 11, Dhananjaya 2)Overs: 15.0
It took Sri Lanka 28 balls, but they finally have another boundary!
Mendis defiantly swats Ahmed away and he responds with an undisciplined delivery that goes the same way the very next ball.
Sri Lanka 55-2 (Mendis 1, Dhananjaya 1)Overs: 14.0
Dhananjaya de Silva is the next man in, definitely a batting all-rounder rather than a specialist batsman, he only averages 25 in ODIs. He gets off the mark quicker than Mendis did.
WICKET! Mishara b Rashid 27 Sri Lanka, 54-2Overs: 13.4
Both openers are GONE! And that has to go down as an error by the batter.
Mishara had established himself so well but his front foot is miles away from Rashid’s googly and it sneaks past him and clips leg stump!
Sri Lanka 53-1 (Mendis 1, Mishara 27)Overs: 13.0
We’ve leg spin from both ends as Rehan Ahmed gets his first over of the day, and like Rashid’s debut for the day it’s a good one, with Mendis struggling to get going right now.
Sri Lanka 51-1 (Mendis 0, Mishara 26)Overs: 12.0
Adil Rashid is into the attack and it’s a great first over from the experienced campaigner.
Sri Lanka 50-1 (Mendis 0, Mishara 25)Overs: 11.0
Kusal Mendis blocks out the final three balls of the over, but the opening partnership reached 50 and no more as England get their breakthrough.
Mendis can blow hot and cold in this format, he averages 35 at a strike rate of 88 but has six hundreds to his name and has passed 50 a hugely impressive 34 times.
WICKET! Nissanka c Dawson b Curran 21 Sri Lanka 50-1. Overs: 10.3
England finally strike! Curran sends down a lofted one and Nissanka’s eyes light up but he doesn’t time the ball and jams it straight to Liam Dawson at mid-on!
Sri Lanka 49-0 (Nissanka 21, Mishara 23)Overs: 10.0
The first powerplay is up, and Sri Lanka will be pleased with their start.
Mishara had been leading the partnership so far but Nissanka unfurls a sumptuous cut that pierces the gap and races away to the boundary, with two more coming from Dawson’s over!
Sri Lanka 43-0 (Nissanka 16, Mishara 22)Overs: 9.0
Sam Curran is back into the attack, and he bowls six better balls than in his opening spell but still leaks four.
He’s not gone for six yet though, Overton was hit for the only maximum of the game so far:
‘He’s dispatched that!’ – Mishara hits big six off Overton
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sri Lanka 39-0 (Nissanka 12, Mishara 22)Overs: 8.0
Another tidy over by Dawson, though Mishara sees it through without too many scares.
Vastly less experienced than his opening partner, Mishara’s top score in this format is 38 so he’s already closing in on that tally.
Sri Lanka 37-0 (Nissanka 12, Mishara 20)Overs: 7.0
SHOT! Mishara picks up Overton’s short ball and hooks him 72 metres over the boundary for a massive six!
It’s our first maximum of the game, and Overton appears to respect the shot, offering a complimentary shrug as he walks back to his mark.
Once again, he hits back pretty well, and Mishara only advances his total again on the last ball of the over, pulling to deep midwicket.
Sri Lanka 29-0 (Nissanka 12, Mishara 13)Overs: 6.0
Liam Dawson is into the attack after Curran was getting lined up somewhat, and he immediately creates a chance, as Mishara scoops the ball just past midwicket!
Dawson had success bowling on the pads early in the over, Overton will continue.
Sri Lanka 26-0 (Nissanka 12, Mishara 10)Overs: 5.0
England’s best over yet comes courtesy of Overton, he beats the edge of the bat with an incisive ball and Sri Lanka only get one from the over.
Overton is looking good here, bang in form from the Big Bash and already finding his length and line.
Sri Lanka 25-0 (Nissanka 12, Mishara 9)Overs: 4.0
What a shot Kamil Mishara! He’d been struggling to find his timing and almost chopped the first ball of the over onto his stumps.
However, he responds magnificently the very next ball, driving Curran through the covers for four.
It’s good one-day cricket so far from Sri Lanka, something England haven’t been guilty of too much in the last few years.
Sri Lanka 20-0 (Nissanka 12, Mishara 4)Overs: 3.0
Sri Lanka are riding their luck a tad but they’re taking full advantage and Overton is getting frustrated.
Maybe they’re being rewarded for their beautiful retro kits.
Overton had been holding a good line around fourth stump but then comes across Nissanka, the ball flicking his pad and evading Jos Buttler for four leg byes.
Overton hurls the ball at the stumps the next ball after it’s returned to sender, he needs to retain control here.
Sri Lanka 12-0 (Nissanka 8, Mishara 4)Overs: 2.0
Sam Curran takes the ball at the other end as predicted, and Nissanka places the shot of the day so far from his first ball, cutting him sharply to ignite a chase for Jacob Bethell.
England’s new golden boy dives ahead of the boundary rope but misses the ball, giving Nissanka his first four of the day, though Curran responded well and only conceded one more run.
Sri Lanka 7-0 (Nissanka 3, Mishara 4)Overs: 1.0
Jamie Overton opens the bowling, facing Pathum Nissanka who makes an attacking start but can’t find the boundary from two power shots.
The most exciting moment of the over is when Kamil Mishara misses the ball, cutting his blade too low.
And Mishara is living dangerously somewhat, attempting the same shot and finding a bottom edge that evades the fielders and brings up the first boundary.
Time to begin
The national anthems are over, with Sri Lanka’s jaunty tune always a treat. That means we’re just moments away from the first ball!
Team news
Still scarred by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett’s opening partnership from the Ashes? Well Brendan McCullum is here to give you exposure therapy as they top the batting order for this game.
The theme of Rehan Ahmed missing out was set to continue, with pace bowlers Brydon Carse and Luke Wood also overlooked.
However, an illness for Will Jacks means Ahmed does start, while Tom Banton is the odd batsman out.
Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamil Mishara, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Pavan Rathnayake, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Pramod Madushan, 10 Jeffrey Vandersay 11 Asitha Fernando.
England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Harry Brook (capt) 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Rehan Ahmed 10 Liam Dawson, 11 Adil Rashid.
Sri Lanka to bat first
England lose the toss, Harry Brook called heads but the coin showed tails so Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka elects to bat first.
Brook confirmed he’d have done the same, though England are much better as a chasing team in ODIs so maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
Can England show signs of life?
The Ashes were a disaster for England, and a major embarrassment for England coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key.
The Guardian reported on Tuesday that McCullum’s future leading the side will be ‘influenced heavily’ by results at next month’s T20 World Cup, and despite his record as a player, the Kiwi has a bad record with England in white-ball cricket.
And before we even get to that, there are these three ODIs against Sri Lanka with the vast majority of the squad that will be competing against the rest of the world in February.
Meanwhile Harry Brook emerged from the Ashes with his reputation greatly diminished and Ben Duckett could be staring down the barrel of a much quicker end to his career than he might’ve planned with goodwill for the opener in short supply after an ignominious series on and off the field. And then there’s Zak Crawley.
So this is a series that McCullum and his players MUST take seriously, against a Sri Lanka side who had an even worse 2023 World Cup than England but have rebounded somewhat since then, sweeping Australia 2-0 this time last year and now ranked fifth in the world.
Watch Sri Lanka v England live on TNT Sports
TNT Sports 1 is LIVE from Colombo! Tune in now to catch all the build-up ahead of the first ball at 9:00 UK time.
You can watch and live stream every ball of the Sri Lanka v England ODI and T20 series in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+.Last time out
England’s preparation for the Ashes was a major reason they were defeated, and their last ODI match completed a 3-0 whitewash before that infamous first Test in Perth.
England were all out in 40.2 overs and Jamie Overton top-scored with 68, though this was by far the closest match of the series as none of the New Zealand batters passed 50 and Overton was also the best bowler, with The Black Caps scraping a two-wicket victory.
Highlights: England’s batting falters again as New Zealand sweep the series in dramatic fashion
Video credit: TNT Sports
Change required
Since England’s pitiful World Cup defence in 2023 that saw them knocked out in the group stage, McCullum’s side have won nine and lost 17 ODIs including stinking out the 2025 Champions Trophy failing to win a single point and falling to defeat against Afghanistan.
When batting first with the full 50 overs available, England have only reached the schedule end of their innings in five out of a possible 15 matches, and in four full first innings they haven’t even broken 40 overs.
Five of those victories (over half) have come against the West Indies, who didn’t even qualify for the Champions Trophy and England are particularly hopeless when defending a total – they’ve won just four games out of the 17 that they’ve batted first in since the World Cup.
They’ve been successful in five out of nine chases though, so the upcoming toss may play a big role in dictating the outcome of today’s game.
Brendon McCullum
Image credit: Getty Images
Hello and welcome
After the humbling Ashes defeat, England are back in action just over two weeks later.
R. Premadasa Stadium is the venue as the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka kicks off with the first of three ODIs in Colombo.
It’s a bright sunny day in the capital so hopefully we’re on for a full day’s play – if England can take it that far.
But whatever happens, that action will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+!
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