England completed a comprehensive 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka in the ODI series with one game to spare. Leading 1-0 after the opening match, England wrapped up an eight-wicket victory in the D/N match at the Oval on Thursday.
Sri Lanka never recovered from a position of 21 for four. They were helped by a partnership of 66 for the fifth wicket before ending on 241 for nine.
Root and Morgan, captains fantastic
England cantered to victory, thanks to an unbroken stand of 140 between Joe Root and Eoin Morgan.
For once England won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat. The visitors slumped to 12 for three with local Surrey hero Sam Curran taking all three wickets. David Willey struck to remove Pathum Nissanka to leave Sri Lanka in disarray. The visitors were indebted to Dasun Shanaka with 47 to pull Sri Lanka round to post a respectful total of 241 for 9. Curran finished with 5 for 48 and Willey 4 for 64.
The total of 241 always appeared to few as England’s openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow put oi an opening stand of 76 before Bairstow(29) played on to Wanindu Hasaranga. Roy eventually went for 60 off the bowling of Kaunaraine to leave Roy and Morgan at the crease.
The pair comfortably saw England home to victory with 42 balls remaining with Morgan finishing on 75 not out and Root unbeaten on 68.
England defeat Sri Lanka in opener
In the opening ODI at Durham England defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets. England won the toss and put Sri Lanka in. The visitors lost their first wicket when Pathum Nissanka(5) pulled Chris Woakes straight to midwicket. In the next over Charith Asalanka had a debut to forget after falling to score after edging Willey to slip. Woakes snapped up the wicket of Dasun Shanaka who edged behind for a single to leave Sri Lanka 46 for three.
Sri Lanka were rescued by a stand of 99 between Perera and Hasaranga for the fourth wicket. Hasaranga eventually fell for 54 to Woakes before a fighting 73 from Perera saw Sri Lanka reach 185. Woakes finished with four for 18 and Willey three for 44.
In reply, Liam Livingstone and Bairstow put on a half century stand before Livingstone(9) pulled Fernando straight to mid on.Bairstow followed shortly afterwards for 43. But an unbeaten 79 from Root was enough to see England home with 15 overs remaining.