Sat Jan 24 14:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Sri Lanka Stuns England in First ODI, Continuing England’s 50-Over Struggles
The Story:
Sri Lanka defeated England in the first One Day International (ODI) of their series, securing a 1-0 lead. Sri Lanka successfully defended their total, overcoming a late surge from England’s Jamie Overton. England’s chase faltered after a promising start by Ben Duckett and Joe Root, losing 5 wickets for 36 runs. This defeat marks England’s fourth consecutive ODI loss and their sixth in the last seven, highlighting a persistent decline in their 50-over form. Sri Lanka bounced back from a series of losses to Pakistan, with key contributions from Kusal Mendis and their spinners.
Key Points:
* Dunith Wellalage was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
* England lost 5 wickets for 36 runs, derailing their chase.
* Jamie Overton’s late hitting blitz of 34 (17b, 4×4 2×6) nearly salvaged the game for England
* England captain Harry Brook acknowledged Sri Lanka’s deserved victory and the challenge posed by their spinners.
* Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka emphasized the need for further improvement despite the win.
* England has lost four consecutive ODIs, and six of their last seven.
Key Takeaways:
- Sri Lanka’s spinners proved to be a decisive factor on the Khettarama surface.
- England’s middle-order collapse exposed vulnerabilities in their batting lineup.
- England’s struggles in the 50-over format continue, raising questions about their focus with the T20 World Cup looming.
- Sri Lanka demonstrated resilience, recovering from previous defeats to secure a crucial series lead.
- England focus seems to be more on the upcoming T20 world cup, with the captain saying “Captain admits focus ought to be on T20 World Cup as teams seek to make the most of three-match series”.
First Piper 