England chased down 219 to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second one-day international at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, drawing the three-match series 1-1. Joe Root anchored the chase with a measured 75 from 90 balls while Ben Duckett and Harry Brook supplied important support. Sri Lanka had posted 219 after a spin-friendly innings in which Charith Asalanka top-scored with 45. England’s spinners—led by Adil Rashid—and late overs from Root turned the match in the tourists’ favour.
Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka were all out for 219 in 49.3 overs; Charith Asalanka made 45 off 64 balls.
- England reached 223-5 in 46.2 overs; Joe Root scored 75 (90), Harry Brook 42 (75) and Jos Buttler finished 33* (21).
- Adil Rashid was England’s most economical bowler, 10-overs, 2-34; Root’s two overs returned 2-13 late in the innings.
- England used six different spinners and bowled 40.3 overs by spinners—the most by an England ODI attack.
- Root passed 3,500 singles in ODI cricket during this innings and leads the format in non-boundary strike-rate (c.59.95).
- England secured their first away ODI victory in 12 matches and levelled the series 1-1 in Colombo.
Background
The second match followed an opening defeat for England, leaving the tourists with a need to adapt on a surface that offered measurable turn. The R Premadasa pitch has produced noticeably more spin in recent ODIs, encouraging teams to deploy larger spin contingents. England entered the game with a partially experimental setup—Zak Crawley was absent due to a knee injury and Rehan Ahmed was trialled at the top of the order.
Sri Lanka relied on a patient batting approach as several batters prioritised occupation of the crease over scoring rate; Asalanka’s 45 was the top score in a team total where strike-rates were low. For England, the balance tilted toward spin options: leg-spin from Rashid, off-spin from Will Jacks and Joe Root, and additional variety from Rehan Ahmed and Jacob Bethell. The selection and tactical use of spin reflected pitch reading and a deliberate plan to exploit turn.
Main Event
Sri Lanka posted 219 largely through accumulation rather than boundary-laden hitting. Dhananjaya de Silva contributed 40, but wickets fell at regular intervals as England’s bowlers extracted turn and forced batters to rotate instead of accelerate. Rashid removed key early wickets, and the visitors kept Sri Lanka under pressure through changes of pace and angles.
In reply, England built partnerships that controlled the chase. Root steadied the middle overs, sharing a 68-run stand with Ben Duckett (39) and a match-defining 81 with Harry Brook. Root’s footwork and careful shot selection on a turning surface limited risky play and punished loose bowling.
The match featured a pivotal review: Root was given out lbw attempting a toes-flick to a yorker from Asitha Fernando and the review returned an umpire’s call against him. That departure left Brook and Buttler to close the chase; Buttler accelerated late and finished with 33 not out, guiding England home with 22 balls to spare.
Analysis & Implications
England’s emphasis on spin was both tactical and contextual. The tourists identified the R Premadasa conditions as conducive to turn and significantly increased their spinner overs compared with the first ODI. Using six different spinners and bowling a combined 40.3 overs of spin marked a deliberate shift from pace-heavy plans and showcased depth in England’s spin stocks.
Rashid’s economy (3.40) and the spread of wickets among five spinners underlined how variety—leg-break, off-break and left-arm orthodox—created persistent problems for Sri Lanka’s batters. For Sri Lanka, the challenge now is balancing defensive accumulation with sharper scoring intent; several batters found it hard to convert singles into match-changing boundaries on a slow, turning track.
Joe Root’s innings was a reminder of his value in constructing chases that demand temperament over flamboyance. His accumulation-focused approach (notably his high non-boundary strike-rate historically) allowed England to rotate the strike and target weaker bowling options as the chase progressed. For England’s white-ball plans, the success of this approach may encourage selectors to retain spin-rich attack models on similar surfaces.
Comparison & Data
| Match Metric | 1st ODI (Colombo, 2024) | 2nd ODI (this match) | 2024 Colombo Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average degree of turn | 3.15° | 3.62° | 2.93° |
| Overs bowled by spinners (team) | — | 40.3 | — |
| Different spinners used (England) | — | 6 | — |
The table highlights a roughly 15% increase in measured turn between England’s two bowling innings in Colombo (3.15° to 3.62°) and how England leaned heavily on spin in the second game. The 40.3 overs by spinners is a landmark figure for England, exceeding previous in-match spinner usage and reflecting specific tactical planning.
Reactions & Quotes
Post-match responses reflected satisfaction from England and frustration from the hosts. Team spokespeople and observers praised the measured chase and England’s use of spin; Sri Lanka noted the difficulty of scoring freely on a turning surface.
“A composed innings by Root set the platform and our spinners backed it up,”
England team source (post-match comment)
That comment encapsulated England’s strategy: a patient top- and middle-order performance supported by sustained spin bowling. The hosts accepted that conditions and execution limited their scoring opportunities.
“We were on the back foot on a track that offered turn and temperament was tested,”
Sri Lanka team representative (post-match reaction)
Sri Lanka’s reaction stressed the need to find scoring solutions and to adjust shot selection against quality spin if they are to regain control in the series.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Rehan Ahmed will be retained as a top-order option for the remainder of the tour remains undecided by selectors.
- Long-term plans for England to repeat a six-spinner strategy on other subcontinental wickets are not confirmed and may depend on match-by-match conditions.
- No official injury update has been released on Zak Crawley’s knee beyond his absence from this match.
Bottom Line
England’s victory in Colombo was built on temperament and tactical use of spin, with Joe Root providing the calm anchor and Rashid the incisive bowling. The result evens the three-match series and hands momentum back to the tourists ahead of the deciding game.
For Sri Lanka, the task is to find a more effective middle-order response and methods to counter concentrated spin pressure on slow, turning pitches. The third ODI will test whether England’s spin-heavy plan is replicable or if Sri Lanka can adapt to reclaim the series.