Win Projections to be updated soon
1st ODI, Chester-le-Street, June 29, 2021, 03:30 PM
Sri Lanka
185/10(42.3ov)
England
189/5(34.5ov)
England beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
That is it from this game! England take the lead in the 3-match series with a comfortable win. Sri Lanka have a lot of work to do if they are to put up a better fight. Join us on Thursday, 1st July for the second ODI. That game begins at 1300 local (1200 GMT). Make sure you join us for that one. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Chris Woakes is the MAN OF THE MATCH. He says, you always figure it out as a bowler, what the current conditions are and only look to assess the conditions. Adds that in ODI you can't often lose the length and have to keep it on the stumps. Says his rhythm was not too bad and it feels amazing to stride out so well for the team.
Eoin Morgan, the England skipper is up for a chat, He says that he is delighted with the way the bowlers bowled. Gives full credit to bowlers for bowling well and putting on a great display. Mentions that Root is a world-class player, he never seems to struggle and it was good to see him perform. States that Test match priorities have not allowed Joe Root to play a lot of T20 cricket.
Kusal Perera, the Sri Lanka skipper is down for a chat, he says that he tries to do the basics and looks to bat long once he is set. Adds that Hasaranga put in a good knock and he is also very good with the ball. Says that they need to do much better with the bat and have to give their bowlers a decent score to defend and they will look to do that in the next couple of games.
Earlier in the day, England asked Sri Lanka to bat first. The visitors' inexperience was there to see as they struggled with the willow. Barring skipper, Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasarang's fifties, there was hardly anything to write home about. The England bowlers set up the win with the ball with Chris Woakes being the chief destructor. He was irresistible and finished with 4/18 from his 10 overs.
A lot of credit to the Sri Lankan bowlers and nothing can be held against them. They gave it their all, made the total look as challenging as possible. They just did not have enough runs to play with and at times, the fielding was not very supportive. Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers. He started waywardly but came back strongly to finish with 3 wickets. Binura Fernando and Chamika Karunaratne were the other two to get into the wickets column.
Chasing a well below par score of 186, England got off the blocks in style as Jonny Bairstow took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers. Wickets though started to fell in clusters after the departure of Liam Livingstone. From 54/0 the hosts found themselves at 80/4. Moeen Ali was given a lifeline too as he was dropped on a duck. The flying start and low total meant there was hardly any pressure. Moeen Ali and Joe Root took their time and eased the hosts close to the finish line. The former was unable to see the side past the coast but Root stayed there to see his side through.
A relatively easy win for England, there were some hiccups but never did they look in any real danger. Sri Lanka can take a few positives with their bowling but a lot of work needs to be done with the bat as it continues to be their Achilles heel. A lot of work for the tourists to do if they are to put up a better fight.
In over# 1
4
1
0
1
1
Binura Fernando 50/1(9.5)
34.5
4
FOUR! Smoked! Full toss on leg, Sam Curran whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. ENGLAND WIN BY 5 WICKETS. They go 1-0 into the series.
34.4
1
Fuller length on off, Root pushes it towards mid on for a single. Scores are level.
34.3
.
Fuller length on off, Root plays it towards point.
34.2
1
Slower delivery outside off, Curran guides it down to third man for a run.
34.1
1
On a length on leg, Root clips it towards mid-wicket for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
4
1
Dushmantha Chameera 50/3(8)
33.6
.
Short on middle, Curran ducks under it.
33.5
.
Fires a yorker on off, Curran digs it out to point.
33.4
.
Low full toss outside off, Curran drives it towards covers.
33.3
1
Short on middle, Root pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
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