Brook and Root seal England’s series win with unbeaten ODI centuries in Colombo decider

Brook and Root take control after early wobble

England’s third one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo swung decisively on a partnership that combined composure with late-innings power. Captain Harry Brook and Joe Root both finished unbeaten with centuries as England posted 357-3 and then defended it to win by 53 runs, sealing a 2-1 series victory.

The result also marked England’s first away ODI series win in nearly three years, achieved through back-to-back victories after arriving with an 11-game losing streak on the road. England’s turnaround in the series decider was built on recovery from a difficult start with the bat and then reinforced by a multi-pronged bowling effort that kept Sri Lanka’s chase from ever fully stabilising.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England slipped to 40-2 on a surface Brook had described before the match as “not nice”. Ben Duckett was dismissed for seven when a reverse sweep went straight to Dhananjaya de Silva at point, while Sri Lanka’s attack kept England’s scoring subdued through the early overs.

Rehan Ahmed, used as a makeshift opener, made 24 before being caught at mid-wicket off Wanindu Hasaranga, who returned to the XI after being rested for the first two matches. At that stage, England had lost two wickets and still had most of the innings to rebuild, with the pitch offering little comfort for fluent strokeplay.

Root and Bethell rebuild, then Brook provides the surge

England’s recovery began with Root and Jacob Bethell, who stitched together a stabilising stand that gradually shifted the momentum. England managed only 77 runs from the first 20 overs, but Root’s steady accumulation and Bethell’s increasing intent allowed the visitors to move through the gears without taking undue risks.

Bethell reached his half-century from 64 balls, bringing up the pair’s century partnership with back-to-back boundaries. His 65 off 72 balls proved a key bridge between England’s stuttering start and the explosive finish that followed.

Bethell’s innings ended in visible frustration when he pulled Jeffrey Vandersay to Janith Liyanage in the deep, leaving England 166-3. Yet the dismissal did not derail England’s plans. Instead, it opened the door for Brook to join Root and change the tempo dramatically.

Root, who had scored half-centuries in the first two ODIs, went on to complete his 20th ODI century. He narrowly avoided being run out on 99 before reaching three figures from 100 balls. His unbeaten 111 came from 108 deliveries, anchoring the innings while Brook attacked around him.

Brook’s innings was the defining feature of England’s total. He struck 136 not out from just 66 balls, his highest ODI score for England, and hit 20 boundaries including nine sixes. The acceleration was stark: England scored 130 runs in the final 10 overs, including 22 in the penultimate over, turning a competitive score into a daunting one.

Together, Root and Brook added an unbroken 191 from 118 deliveries, pushing England to 357-3 and setting Sri Lanka a target of 358. It was also England’s highest 50-over score at the ground since 2018, underlining how completely the visitors had flipped the match after their early troubles.

Score summary

• England 357-3 (50 overs): Harry Brook 136* (66), Joe Root 111* (108), Jacob Bethell 65 (72); Dhananjaya de Silva 1-45, Jeffrey Vandersay 1-76, Wanindu Hasaranga 1-76
• Sri Lanka 304 all out (46.4 overs, target 358): Pavan Rathnayake 121 (115), Pathum Nissanka 50 (25); Will Jacks 2-43, Jamie Overton 2-48, Liam Dawson 2-48, Adil Rashid 2-61

Sri Lanka’s chase begins brightly, then stutters

Chasing their biggest successful run chase in ODI history, Sri Lanka began with urgency. They scored 48 runs in the first five overs, giving the home crowd early reason to believe the chase might develop into something special.

Pathum Nissanka played the headline role in that opening burst, reaching 50 from just 24 balls. However, the innings lost shape as wickets began to fall, and the required rate continued to climb.

Kamil Mishara made 20 but “gifted” his wicket, caught off a Will Jacks long hop. Jamie Overton then halted the fast start by removing Kusal Mendis for 20 after Mendis had hit him for three consecutive boundaries in the same over. Overton struck again to dismiss Nissanka, who was caught in the deep by substitute fielder Tom Banton, leaving Sri Lanka 94-3 and shifting the match back towards England.

Adil Rashid’s removal of Charith Asalanka for 13 further dented the chase. With key batters back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka needed a partnership that could both rebuild and keep the asking rate within reach.

Rathnayake’s maiden century offers resistance

Pavan Rathnayake provided Sri Lanka’s most substantial answer, producing a maiden ODI century in a difficult situation. His 121 came from 115 balls and included 12 fours, and it was the clearest sign of resistance as Sri Lanka attempted to chase down England’s imposing total.

Rathnayake shared a stubborn 43-run stand with Janith Liyanage, but Liyanage was run out after a calamitous mix-up left him stranded. It was a costly moment, removing a set batter and forcing Sri Lanka to reshuffle again.

Dhananjaya de Silva made nine before picking out Brook off Jacks, another soft dismissal that England were happy to accept as the chase entered its middle phase. Rathnayake continued, though, and later added 50 with Wellalage, who scored 22 before being removed by Liam Dawson.

Hasaranga made nine but ballooned Rashid to Duckett in the deep, leaving Sri Lanka eight down and running out of time and wickets. Rathnayake pushed the total beyond 300, but the target remained out of reach.

Ultimately, it was Sam Curran who ended the innings, bowling Rathnayake for 121 as the final wicket to fall. Sri Lanka were all out for 304 in 46.4 overs, with 3.2 overs still unused, confirming England’s 53-run victory.

England’s bowling: shared workload, steady control

England’s defence of 357 was not about one dominant spell but about a collective effort that kept Sri Lanka from sustaining momentum. Four bowlers took two wickets each: Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid. That spread reflected England’s ability to keep applying pressure even as Rathnayake continued to score at the other end.

Overton’s double strike in the powerplay, removing both Mendis and Nissanka, proved particularly important in ensuring the chase did not develop into a straight shootout. Rashid’s wicket of Asalanka and later dismissal of Hasaranga also helped England maintain control as Sri Lanka searched for a late surge.

While Sri Lanka’s top order showed flashes—especially during the opening overs—England’s bowlers repeatedly found breakthroughs at key moments, preventing any partnership from carrying the chase deep enough to threaten the target in the final overs.

What the result means for England

The win completed a 2-1 series victory and represented a notable milestone for England in the 50-over format away from home. It was their first away ODI series win since beating Bangladesh in March 2023, achieved after they had previously struggled for results on the road.

England also remained unchanged from their five-wicket win on Saturday, a decision that was rewarded with both their highest score of the series and a controlled chase defence. The combination of Root’s experience, Brook’s leadership and power, and contributions from players such as Bethell offered a clear template for how England want to play in this format.

In addition, the match highlighted England’s ability to adapt from a slow start. From 40-2 and 77 runs in 20 overs, they still finished with 357-3. That shift was driven by Root’s ability to bat deep and Brook’s late-innings acceleration, a pairing that gave England a level of finishing power that proved decisive.

Player reactions

Brook, named player of the match for his 136 not out, pointed to preparation and partnership as key factors. “I was working on a few things with Rooty (Joe Root) in the nets yesterday and thankfully it paid off today,” he said. “I felt good. Rooty is exceptional to have in the side. It was an exceptional performance from the lads.”

He also credited England’s spin group for their control during the chase. “I am very happy with how the spinners have bowled, bowling in tandem with the communication outstanding,” Brook said. “I liked how the batters tried to put pressure on the bowlers, even in tough conditions.”

Root, named player of the series after his unbeaten century, framed his contribution in terms of team success and his role within an evolving side. “You just want to win games, contribute to winning games,” he said. “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.”

Root also highlighted the balance of England’s innings, from Bethell’s support to Brook’s finishing. “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,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader significance, Root added: “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 acknowledged the impact of England’s late surge and the difficulty of defending at the death when conditions are not in the bowlers’ favour. “It was a good game. We were undone by good batting from Root and Brook,” he said. “I thought the ball might turn more, but when it doesn’t, it’s hard to bowl spin at the death.”

Key moments that shaped the decider

• England’s recovery from 40-2: Root and Bethell rebuilt carefully before Brook’s arrival changed the tempo.
• The unbroken Root-Brook stand: 191 runs from 118 balls transformed a rebuilding innings into a match-defining total.
• England’s final-10-overs surge: 130 runs, including 22 in the penultimate over, pushed the target beyond a standard chase.
• Powerplay wickets in the chase: Overton’s removal of Mendis and Nissanka ensured Sri Lanka could not keep pace.
• Rathnayake’s century in defeat: A maiden ODI hundred that kept Sri Lanka competing even as wickets fell around him.

Match in brief

England’s 53-run win in Colombo was shaped by two unbeaten centuries and a shared bowling effort that delivered regular breakthroughs. Root provided the foundation, Brook supplied the decisive acceleration, and England’s bowlers prevented Sri Lanka’s early momentum from developing into a sustained chase. Despite Rathnayake’s impressive 121, the target of 358 proved too steep, and England left the series with a 2-1 victory and renewed confidence in their ODI game away from home.