Joe Root and captain Harry Brook fired unbeaten centuries as England beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs in the third one-day international and secure a first away ODI series victory in nearly three years.
England recovered from a slow start and slipping to 40-2 to post 357-3 after winning the toss and electing to bat, with Jacob Bethell (65) and Root rebuilding the innings before Brook’s explosive finish.
Root followed half-centuries in the first two ODIs by scoring an unbeaten 111, his 20th ODI century, while Brook smashed 20 boundaries – including nine sixes – and posted his highest ODI score for England with 136 from just 66 deliveries.
Joe Root finished as the highest scorer of the series, with an unbeaten century following 50s in the first two matches
The pair’s unbroken 191-run partnership from 118 deliveries left Sri Lanka requiring their biggest successful run chase in ODI history, with home hopes quickly fading when Pathum Nissanka (50) fell after a 24-ball half century to leave them 94-3.
Pavan Rathnayake produced a brilliant maiden ODI century but was bowled by Sam Curran for 121, the final wicket to fall, as two wickets apiece from Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid helped England dismiss the hosts for 304 in 46.4 overs and complete a 2-1 series win.
Back-to-back ODI wins – having previously been on an 11-game losing streak on the road – completes a first away series success in the 50-over format for England since beating Bangladesh in March 2023.
How England held on to secure series win in Sri Lanka
England remained unchanged from Saturday’s five-wicket win and struggled early on a pitch Brook described pre-match as ‘not nice’, with Ben Duckett (seven) out when he reverse-swept straight to Dhananjaya de Silva (1-45) at point.
Wanindu Hasaranga (1-76) – replacing Pramod Madushan after being rested for the first two matches – claimed Rehan Ahmed (24) when England’s makeshift opener picked out Jeffrey Vandersay (1-77) at mid-wicket.
England only managed 77 runs from their first 20 overs but began to move through the gears as Root built a steady partnership with Bethell, who brought up their century stand and his own 64-ball half-century with back-to-back boundaries.
Jacob Bethell and Root (right) added 126 runs for the third wicket
Bethell was left visibly frustrated when his innings ended by pulling Vandersay to Janith Liyanage in the deep, leaving the tourists 166-3, before Root and Brook pushed England to the highest 50-over score at the ground since 2018.
Root narrowly avoided being run-out on 99 before reaching his 100-ball century, two balls after his batting partner had reached his first half-century of the series, which then left Brook to deliver an extraordinary spell of ball striking.
Brook posted his highest ODI score during their 53-run win, with his innings including nine sixes
England scored 130 from the final 10 overs – including 22 runs during the penultimate over – to put them in a commanding position, as Sri Lanka posted 48 from the first five overs of their chase before Kamil Mishara (20) gifted his wicket from a Will Jacks long hop.
Jamie Overton halted Sri Lanka’s fast start by removing Kusal Mendis (20), who had hit him for three consecutive boundaries in the same over, then got Nissanka caught by sub fielder Tom Banton in the deep to leave hosts three down inside the powerplay.
Adil Rashid removing Charith Asalanka (13) resulted in a change of tact from Sri Lanka, with Rathnayake and Liyanage putting together a stubborn 43-run stand before the latter was run out when a calamitous mix-up left him stranded.
Rashid finished with 2-61 from his 10 overs
Dhananjaya (9) picked out Brook off Jacks in another soft dismissal, with Wellalage (22) removed by Dawson after putting on a 50-partnership with Rathnayake and Hasaranga (nine) leaving Sri Lanka eight down after ballooning Rashid to Duckett in the deep.
Rathnayake pushed Sri Lanka past 300 and scored 12 fours in his 115-ball innings before he saw his leg stump knocked back by Curran, ending their innings with 3.2 overs to spare and secured England just their second ODI series win in their last eight.
Root and Brook revel in impressive victory
England captain Harry Brook, player of the match after his 136 not out: “I was working on a few things with Rooty (Joe Root) in the nets yesterday and thankfully it paid off today. I felt good. Rooty is exceptional to have in the side. It was an exceptional performance from the lads.
“I am very happy with how the spinners have bowled, bowling in tandem with the communication outstanding. I liked how the batters tried to put pressure on the bowlers, even in tough conditions.”
Brook took three catches and a run out after firing his career-best ODI score
Joe Root, player of the series after his unbeaten century: “You just want to win games, contribute to winning games. My role in this team is pretty obvious and it is nice to help the young guys come through now that I am getting a bit older.
“It was nice out there today [in my 111no] with the way [Jacob] Bethell played and then how Harry Brook took the game on as he did and showed his versatility. This shows what we are capable of as a 50-over team.
“This is a big step forward for the group after a tough period, especially away from home. It breeds confidence ahead of the T20s.”
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka: “It was a good game. We were undone by good batting from Root and Brook. I thought the ball might turn more, but when it doesn’t, it’s hard to bowl spin at the death.”
England in Sri Lanka – results and fixtures
All times UK and Ireland
First ODI (January 22, Colombo) – Sri Lanka win by 19 runsSecond ODI (Saturday January 24) – England win by five wicketsThird ODI (Tuesday January 27) – England win by 53 runsFirst T20 (Friday January 30) – Pallekele (1.30pm)Second T20 (Sunday February 1) – Pallekele (1.30pm)Third T20 (Tuesday February 3) – Pallekele (1.30pm)
