England won the series 2-1 with Root-Brook’s centuries:Defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs; Pawan Rathnayake’s maiden ODI century goes in vain

Thanks to centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook, England defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs in the third ODI to clinch the series 2-1. The match was played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka had won the first ODI by 19 runs, while England registered a 5-wicket victory in the second ODI. In the decisive match, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, England scored 357 runs for 3 wickets in 50 overs. Captain Harry Brook played a magnificent unbeaten innings of 136 runs, while Joe Root returned unbeaten with 111 runs. Both batsmen put on a match-winning partnership of 191 runs for the fourth wicket. Chasing a target of 358 runs, the Sri Lankan team was all out for 304 runs in 46.4 overs. For the team, Pawan Rathnayake scored his maiden ODI century, making the highest 121 runs, but he failed to lead the team to victory. Opener Pathum Nissanka played an innings of 50 runs. England lost 2 wickets in 11 overs England, who came out to bat first after winning the toss, did not have a good start. Opener Ben Duckett returned to the pavilion after scoring just 7 runs, while Rehan Ahmed could only add 24 runs. In the initial overs, Sri Lankan bowlers created pressure with accurate line and length, due to which England lost 2 wickets within 11 overs. At this time, the team’s score was 40/2 and Sri Lanka’s grip on the match seemed strong. Root-Bethell steadied the innings Batting at number 3, Joe Root steadied England’s faltering innings. He shared a crucial 126-run partnership for the third wicket with Jacob Bethell. Bethell played an innings of 65 runs off 72 balls, while Root rotated the strike without taking any risks, keeping the scoreboard moving. By the time Bethell was out in the 31st over, England had reached a strong position. Captain Brook’s century against Sri Lanka As soon as Jacob Bethell was out, captain Harry Brook started playing aggressively. Brook played aggressive shots against both spin and fast bowlers and scored runs all over the field. He played an unbeaten innings of 136 runs in just 66 balls. During this, his innings included 11 fours and 9 sixes. Joe Root records 20th ODI century At the other end, Joe Root completed his 20th ODI century by scoring an unbeaten 111 runs off 108 balls. In the final overs, England’s run rate accelerated. In the last 5 overs, the team adopted an aggressive approach and added 88 runs, taking the score to 357 runs for 3 wickets in 50 overs. Sri Lanka’s quick start while chasing Chasing a target of 358 runs, Sri Lanka got off to a fast start. Opener Pathum Nissanka scored a half-century in just 25 balls, but despite this, the team suffered three major blows within the powerplay. While the run rate was maintained despite the early wickets, Sri Lanka’s innings came under pressure. Rathnayake’s century, no support received Pawan Rathnayake steadied the innings and scored a magnificent century. He played a fighting innings of 121 runs off 115 balls and tried his best to keep the team in the contest. However, wickets kept falling continuously from the other end, which increased the pressure of the run rate and weakened Sri Lanka’s hopes. England’s bowlers turned the match around In the death overs, England’s bowlers delivered excellent bowling with precise line and length. Jamie Overton, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Liam Dawson each took 2 wickets, completely turning the match in England’s favour. Under pressure, the scattered Sri Lankan team was all out for 304 runs in 46.4 overs. First ODI series loss at home since 2021 With this loss, Sri Lanka faced their first defeat in a home ODI series since 2021. The team had not lost in 12 consecutive home ODI series before this. Sri Lanka’s last defeat in a home ODI series was against India on July 18, 2021, when the Indian team won the series 2-1.