Harry Brook and Joe Root played contrasting yet dominant innings to guide England to a 53-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third ODI, sealing a 2-1 series win. Brook smashed an unbeaten 136 off 66 balls with nine sixes and 11 fours, while Root followed up his second ODI half-century with a composed 111 off 108 balls.
England posted 357-3, thanks to a 191-run partnership between Brook and Root off just 113 deliveries. The English spinners, including Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, and Adil Rashid, collectively took six wickets, keeping Sri Lanka’s chase in check.
Despite a valiant 121-run knock from Pavan Rathnayake, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 304 in the 47th over. Pathum Nissanka provided a quick start with 50 off 25 balls, but the middle order failed to maintain momentum. Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay were expensive, conceding 76 runs each in their 10-over quotas.
The victory marked England’s first major ODI series win away from home since 2023 and handed Sri Lanka their first home series defeat in five years. England’s third-wicket partnership between Root and Jacob Bethell (65) also played a key role in stabilising the innings after early wickets of Rehan Ahmed and Ben Duckett.
Skipper Charith Asalanka acknowledged the positive performance from Rathnayake while reflecting on the challenges of bowling spin on unhelpful pitches. England’s all-round dominance, led by Brook’s explosive finishing and Root’s steady captaincy, ensured a commanding series-clinching performance.
