Sri Lanka vs England 2nd ODI Highlights: England Level Series 1-1

Joe Root’s calm and composed innings of 75 led England to a comfortable 5-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, leveling the three-match series 1-1. Chasing 219, England reached their target with 22 balls to spare after Sri Lanka posted 219 in 49.3 overs, with captain Charith Asalanka top-scoring with 45.

Root anchored the chase masterfully, while Ben Duckett (39) and Harry Brook (42) provided valuable contributions. Jos Buttler finished the job with an explosive 33 off 21 balls. For Sri Lanka, Jeffrey Vandersay took 2/45, while Adil Rashid (2/34) was England’s standout bowler.

Sri Lanka vs England 2nd ODI  Match Summary

First Innings: Sri Lanka – 219 All Out (49.3 overs)

Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum on a dry, turning pitch after winning the toss. Pathum Nissanka (26) and Kamil Mishara (5) provided a cautious start before Jamie Overton broke through, dismissing Mishara caught at short cover. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added stability with Nissanka hitting 26 off 37 balls, including a six off Sam Curran.

However, Mendis fell to a brilliant run-out by Will Jacks for 26, creating a mix-up that proved costly. Captain Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings with a 66-run partnership. Dhananjaya contributed a patient 40 off 59 balls with four boundaries before being caught at midwicket off Liam Dawson. Asalanka top-scored with 45 off 64 balls but fell to Adil Rashid’s guile, caught at deep midwicket attempting a sweep. 

The lower order collapsed quickly, with Pavan Rathnayake’s 29 off 34 balls providing some resistance. Joe Root’s part-time off-spin cleaned up the tail, dismissing both Wellalage and Asitha Fernando. England’s spinners dominated, bowling 40.3 overs combined, with Rashid’s variations proving particularly effective.

Second Innings: England – 223/5 (46.2 overs)

England’s chase began unconventionally with Rehan Ahmed opening alongside Ben Duckett in Crawley’s absence. Rehan made a composed 13 off 18 balls before becoming Dhananjaya de Silva’s first victim, bowled attempting to cut. Duckett and Root then took control, adding 72 runs at a brisk pace, particularly effective against the Sri Lankan spinners. 

Duckett scored a fluent 39 off 52 balls with two boundaries and a six before being cleaned up by Vandersay’s spinning leg-break in his first over. Root and Brook then batted conservatively but effectively, adding 81 runs for the fourth wicket. Root’s class shone through as he maneuvered the ball expertly, reaching 75 with five fours before an unfortunate LBW dismissal to Asitha Fernando’s yorker, given out on umpire’s call. Brook’s patient 42 off 75 balls ended when he missed a sweep off Vandersay and was trapped LBW. 

Jacob Bethell’s brief stay ended on 6 when he chipped to short cover off Dhananjaya. With 23 runs needed, Jos Buttler exploded into action with 33 off just 21 balls, striking three fours and a massive six over long-off. Will Jacks supported with 2 runs before Buttler sealed victory with a boundary through midwicket off Pramod Madushan.