By Leonard Ratnayake in England
England produced a strategically impressive all-round performance to claim victory in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval, defeating the visitors by 223 runs to seal the series. It was a decisive encounter after Sri Lanka had won the second ODI in a thriller, while England had taken the opening match with a commanding bowling display.
England captain Harry Brook opted to bat first at The Oval under overcast conditions, a decision that initially appeared to offer Sri Lanka’s bowlers some assistance. The lively pitch rewarded the visitors when they maintained disciplined lines and lengths, although the occasional short delivery was punished emphatically, with England producing some spectacular sixes.
Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough through Dilshan Madushanka, who produced a superb delivery that ripped through Ben Duckett’s defence and crashed into the stumps. However, the visitors missed an opportunity to claim another prized wicket in the 10th over. Joe Root, on 15, spooned an Asitha Fernando delivery towards wide slip, where Pathum Nissanka was unable to hold on to a straightforward chance.
Despite that reprieve, Sri Lanka’s bowling remained disciplined, and England struggled to accelerate during the opening phase. They reached the end of the first powerplay at 50 for 1, with the Sri Lankan attack keeping the pressure firmly on the batters.
Dunith Wellalage was introduced in the 15th over as England looked to build another partnership. Joe Root and Tom Banton had begun to settle, with Banton approaching his half-century.
Sri Lanka struck again shortly afterwards when Janith Liyanage produced a delivery that trapped Root in front. The initial appeal was turned down, but Sri Lanka successfully reviewed the decision, with the TV umpire overturning the on-field call. England were suddenly 68 for 2.
By the 30th over, England had reached 150 for the loss of two wickets, with Banton and Harry Brook beginning to take control. The pair built an important partnership of more than 50 runs and gradually shifted the momentum back towards England.
Sri Lanka appeared to have a firm grip on proceedings, but the game changed dramatically as Banton and Brook accelerated. Both batters passed fifty, and England began scoring at a remarkable rate. The visitors subsequently struggled to contain the scoring, with England adding more than 200 runs in the next 20 overs.
Banton reached his maiden ODI century in style, bringing up the milestone from 95 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes. It was his third score beyond fifty in the innings, and his century underlined the dramatic transformation in England’s fortunes.
England reached 200 in 33.4 overs, with their third-wicket partnership between Banton and Brook producing 150 runs from just 116 balls. Banton contributed 68 to the partnership, while Brook scored 77.
The scoring continued at an extraordinary rate. England reached 250 in 39.1 overs before bringing up 300 in just 45.1 overs, having accumulated 104 runs during the mandatory final powerplay while losing three wickets.
Jamie Cox added another important contribution, completing his fifty from 42 balls, including three fours and a six. He and Jamie Overton then combined for a rapid 50-run sixth-wicket partnership from only 25 balls, with Cox contributing 32 and Overton 17.
England surged beyond 350 in the 49th over, reaching the milestone from 297 balls. After 50 overs, England had posted a formidable 355 for 7.
What had initially looked like a challenging batting surface for England became a platform for an explosive middle- and lower-order assault. Sri Lanka’s disciplined start gave them control of the innings, but missed opportunities and England’s acceleration through the middle and final overs ultimately allowed the hosts to post a formidable total.
Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the target were short-lived, as Pathum Nissanka edged a bouncer through to the wicketkeeper in the second over. None of the Sri Lankan opening batters managed to settle, and the visitors were soon reduced to 53 for 3 in the ninth over.
The 16th over proved eventful. Pavan Ratnayake appeared to have been run out following a direct hit from Jofra Archer, but the decision was reviewed. The initial footage suggested that wicketkeeper Jamie Cox had dislodged one bail before Archer’s throw hit the stumps, prompting the big screen to display not out.
However, Law 29.3, concerning the situation where one bail has already been removed, allows the fielding side to complete a run-out or stumping by breaking the remaining wicket. Further examination of the footage showed that the other bail remained in place when Archer’s throw struck the stumps. After the review process was completed, the decision was overturned and Ratnayake was given out.
Sri Lanka suffered another blow in the following over when Charith Asalanka was caught brilliantly. Wellalage then fell in the next over, leaving Sri Lanka in serious trouble at 82 for 6 in the 17th over.
The visitors were eventually dismissed for 132, handing England a comprehensive 223-run victory and securing the ODI series.
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