England continue dominance over Sri Lanka with victory in opening ODI

By SABC Sport
22nd September 2026

England continued their dominance over Sri Lanka with a comfortable 89-run victory in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street as spinner Will Jacks picked up his maiden five-wicket haul.

After a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20Is, the visitors were hoping for a better showing in the 50-over format and would have been encouraged after limiting England to 265 all out.

The Sri Lanka batting unit once again failed to deliver though as the tourists were bowled out for just 176 as Jacks finished with career-best figures of 5-22 in seven overs.

Home captain Harry Brook won the toss and opted to bat first, but lost opener Tom Baton (10) early in the third over.

Ben Duckett and Joe Root then added 51 for the second wicket before the former was out lbw to spinner Dunith Wellalage for 32 as England were 67-2 in the 11th over.

Root and his skipper Brook then added 68 but Root was bowled by debutant leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage for 44 as the hosts were 122-3 close to halfway through the innings.

Colombage impressed with figures of 3-44 while Brook went on to to-score with 67 as England were bowled out inside their 50 overs.

Jacks, who also contributed an unbeaten 46 with the bat, then ripped through the Sri Lanka middle-order as the visitors folded with the willow under the lights.

Visiting captain Kusal Mendis struck 42 while Wellalage hit 45 but it was not enough as Sri Lanka will now need to victory in the second game at Headingley on Thursday if they are to keep the series alive.