Sri Lanka successfully defended their fortress at the R. Premadasa Stadium, securing a 19-run victory over England in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Choosing to bat first on a surface that historically favours the team setting a target, the hosts posted a competitive 271/6, underpinned by a resilient, unbeaten 93 from Kusal Mendis. In reply, England looked set for a comfortable chase during a century stand between Joe Root (61) and Ben Duckett (62). However, a dramatic middle-order collapse, triggered by Sri Lanka’s disciplined spin trio, saw the visitors fall from 129/1 to 252 all out. Despite a sensational late-inning heist attempt by Jamie Overton, who blazed 34 off just 17 balls, the Lankans held their nerve to wrap up the contest in the final over.

Kusal Mendis anchors Sri Lanka to 271 as England’s spin attack impresses.
The opening innings was a tale of consolidation and late-over acceleration as Sri Lanka navigated a dry, sluggish pitch to reach 271/6. After a steady 50-run opening stand between Pathum Nissanka (21) and Kamil Mishara (27), Adil Rashid (3/44) led the fightback for England by removing both openers in quick succession. Kusal Mendis then took charge, playing a masterclass of subcontinental anchoring. Battling through visible back cramps midway through his knock, Mendis struck 11 boundaries in his 117-ball stay, refusing to let the English spinners settle. He found a perfect partner in Janith Liyanage, who contributed a vital 46 in an 88-run fifth-wicket partnership thatstabilisedd the hosts after they had slipped to 124/4. A late explosive cameo from Dunith Wellalage (25* off 12), including a 23-run final over against Jamie Overton, provided the final flourish to the Lankan total.

Joe Root and Ben Duckett's fifty in vain as England's middle order collapses
England’s chase began with the early loss of Zak Crawley, but Joe Root and Ben Duckett rebuilt the innings with a composed 117-run second-wicket partnership. Both batters reached their half-centuries—Root’s 44th in ODIs and Duckett’s 9th—mastering the spin with reverse sweeps and nimble footwork. However, the game turned on its head in the 28th over when Jeffrey Vandersay (2/39) trapped Duckett LBW. The dismissal sparked a staggering collapse, during which England lost eight wickets for just 84 runs. Captain Harry Brook and debutant Jacob Bethell were both deceived by the turn and stumped by Mendis, while Dunith Wellalage (2/41) ripped through the lower middle order. From 129/1, England plummeted to 213/9, leaving the tail with an impossible mountain to climb despite Root’s anchor role earlier in the day.

England’s embarrassing away streak continues as World Cup 2027 qualification looms.
This 19-run defeat marks a grim milestone for the visitors, as it is now England’s 11th consecutive away loss in the ODI format, a streak stretching back through multiple series. Currently ranked eighth in the ICC ODI rankings, England is precariously close to the cutoff for automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

With only the top eight teams (excluding hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe) guaranteed a spot, England’s recent struggles away from home have put them in danger of being forced into a qualifying tournament against lower-ranked nations. The lack of a clear 50-over template and the continued absence of key pacers like Jofra Archerhaves left Brendon McCullum’s side searching for answers. They must now win the remaining two matches in Colombo to avoid another series defeat and salvage crucial ranking points.