Image Source: BBC
Sri Lanka vs England has produced a fast-moving second ODI at Headingley, with England making a powerful start to their pursuit of 322. England reached 57-0 after six overs, leaving them needing 265 runs from 44 overs with all 10 wickets intact.
Sri Lanka, who won the toss and chose to bat, posted an imposing 321-6 from their 50 overs on a good batting surface in Leeds. The hosts now face a demanding chase, but the early signs have been encouraging as Tom Banton and Ben Duckett attacked the new ball with confidence.
Sri Lanka vs England: England launch explosive chase
England’s opening pair immediately put pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. Banton was unbeaten on 26 from 20 balls, while Duckett had also made 26 from 17 deliveries. Their partnership included several crisp boundaries, with England taking advantage of loose bowling and early width outside off stump.
Asitha Fernando endured a difficult opening spell, conceding 23 runs from two overs and bowling a wide and a no-ball. Dilshan Madushanka also struggled to contain the England openers, while Charith Asalanka’s part-time off-spin briefly offered Sri Lanka some control.
Former England batter Dawid Malan, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, praised England’s positive approach. He described the start as the “perfect” template for the chase and noted that the Headingley pitch had been playing beautifully.
Kusal Mendis powers Sri Lanka to 321-6
Sri Lanka’s total was built around a superb century from captain and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. After being dropped on 17, Mendis punished England’s missed opportunity by scoring 121 from 100 balls, including a series of aggressive strokes across the ground.
His innings provided the central platform for Sri Lanka’s total. Mendis shared important stands with Kamindu Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake before accelerating late in the innings. Rathnayake contributed 48 from 39 balls, while Charith Asalanka made 11 and Janith Liyanage scored 32.
- Kusal Mendis: 121 from 100 balls
- Pavan Rathnayake: 48 from 39 balls
- Janith Liyanage: 32 from 26 balls
- Dunith Wellalage: unbeaten 16
- Sachindu Colombage: unbeaten 3
Sri Lanka’s scoring slowed during the middle section of the innings, with only 49 runs coming between overs 31 and 40. However, the visitors recovered late to pass 320, setting England a challenging target on a surface that appeared well suited to strokeplay.
England’s bowlers share the workload
Gus Atkinson and Rehan Ahmed were England’s most successful bowlers, taking two wickets apiece. Atkinson removed Pathum Nissanka for 25 before dismissing Kamindu Mendis for 54. Ahmed claimed the key wicket of Kusal Mendis and later removed Asalanka.
Jofra Archer also took one wicket, dismissing Liyanage, while England’s attack conceded 11 extras. Archer finished with figures of 1-68 from 10 overs, and Atkinson returned 2-55. Josh Tongue, Will Jacks and Jamie Overton were also used during Sri Lanka’s innings.
What England need from the chase
England’s immediate priority is to preserve their strong opening partnership while maintaining a scoring rate that keeps the asking rate under control. With Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler and Will Jacks still to come, the hosts have considerable batting depth.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, need early wickets. Kusal Mendis must find a way to rotate his bowlers effectively after England’s openers punished several loose deliveries. The visitors can still create pressure if Fernando and Madushanka find greater accuracy and bring the stumps into play.
The win predictor at the interval gave England a 65% chance of victory, compared with 35% for Sri Lanka. However, the match remains finely poised because one early wicket could change the momentum of the chase.
Frequently asked questions
What is the target in the Sri Lanka vs England ODI?
England need 322 runs to win after Sri Lanka scored 321-6 from their 50 overs.
What is the current score?
England were 57-0 after six overs, with Tom Banton and Ben Duckett both unbeaten on 26.
Who scored a century for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis scored 121 from 100 balls after surviving an early chance.
Who were England’s leading wicket-takers?
Gus Atkinson and Rehan Ahmed took two wickets each for England.
Where is the match being played?
The second ODI is being played at Headingley in Leeds.
