Kusal Mendis, Wellalage anchor Sri Lanka’s big win over England in 1st ODI

Sri Lanka take a 1-0 lead against England in ODI series [Source: @OfficialSLC/x]

Sri Lanka outclassed England in all aspects of the game to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series. Kusal Mendis compiled an elegant half-century for the hosts in Colombo, before bowlers collectively demolished the English line-up.

Here, we take a look at the entire highlights from the first ODI of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and England, as it panned out at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, January 22.

Kusal Mendis lifts Sri Lanka to 271 with elegant 93*

Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara raced to a 50-run partnership around the first 10 overs before England fast bowler Sam Curran landed the opening blow for the visitors. Curran dismissed a well-set Nissanka for 21 off 30 balls with a back-of-the-hand delivery. A couple of overs later, his opening partner Mishara also failed to convert his start as the cricketer was knocked over by Adil Rashid for 27 off 37 deliveries.

Dhananjaya de Silva at number four listed just 10 off 21 balls during his 43-run partnership with senior wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis. While Dhananjaya got trapped in front by Rashid, fellow English spinner Rehan Ahmed deceived Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka (17 off 16) as the hosts slipped to 124-4 around the halfway stage of the innings.

Kusal Mendis at number three remained steadfast in his approach, as he reached a well-paced half-century and crafted Sri Lanka’s recovery with a calculated 88-run partnership with Janith Liyanage for the fifth wicket. Liyanage chipped in with 46 from 53 balls before becoming Adil Rashid’s third victim of the innings.

Dunith Wellalage blasted three cracking boundaries and a huge six in the slog overs to whack 25* off 12 balls. Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten at 93* from 117 balls with 11 classy boundaries as Sri Lanka charted a competitive 271-6 in 50 overs.

For England, Adil Rashid (3-44) struck thrice in his 10-over spell, and his teammates Sam Curran (1-40), Liam Dawson (1-31) and Rehan Ahmed (1-61) all chipped in with a wicket each.

Wellalage, Vandersay and Madushan keep England down

Sri Lanka paceman Asitha Fernando struck with the new ball with the big wicket of England opener Zak Crawley for just six. Ben Duckett and number three Joe Root fought back for the visitors with a courageous 117-run partnership for the second wicket.

Both Duckett and Root crafted their respective half-centuries, with the former taking 76 deliveries to score his 62 with five boundaries and a six. Root made 61 off 90 balls before both cricketers were dismissed in quick succession by Jeffrey Vandersay and Dhananjaya de Silva (1-22).

Jacob Bethell, captain Harry Brook and Sam Curran all failed to sustain Duckett and Root’s momentum as England slipped from 129-1 to 165-6 in the space of an hour. Jos Buttler and Rehan Ahmed (27 off 21) scored some handy runs during the decisive stages, while Jamie Overton clubbed 34 off 17 to provide a late scare but the Englishmen eventually got bundled out for just 252 in the final over.

For Sri Lanka, Pramod Madushan (3-39), Dunith Wellalage (2-41) and Jeffrey Vandersay (2-39) all scripted their team’s 19-run win to go 1-0 up in the ODI series.