Root at His Best: Joe Root Stars as England Level Series in 2nd ODI
England 223/5 beat Sri Lanka 219 by five wickets
(2nd ODI, Colombo | England level series 1–1)
Joe Root produced another masterclass in one-day cricket snapped an 11-match winless streak away from home, defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second ODI at Colombo. The victory not only kept the three-match series alive but also showcased adaptability on a slow, turning surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka’s Innings: Starts Without Acceleration
After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to convert promising starts into meaningful partnerships and were eventually bowled out for 219 in 49.3 overs. On an extremely dry and sluggish pitch, scoring proved difficult, particularly against England’s disciplined spin attack.
England’s Spin Gamble Pays Off
England’s tactical approach stood out. They employed eight bowling options, six of them spinners, delivering 40.3 overs of spin — the most by England in an ODI, surpassing their previous record set in Sharjah in 1984–85.
Wickets were shared evenly:
Joe Root: 2/12 (including the final two wickets)
Jamie Overton: 2/21
Adil Rashid: 2/34
Support wickets from Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, and Will Jacks
The strategy suffocated Sri Lanka’s middle order, forcing mistimed shots and preventing boundary access in front of square — a key scoring area on the surface.
England’s Chase: Root the Anchor
Chasing 220, approached the task with calm control rather than aggression. With Zak Crawley absent through injury, Rehan Ahmed was promoted to open alongside Ben Duckett. The pair focused on survival and strike rotation rather than boundary-hunting.
Root and Brook Shut the Door
Any comeback hopes were extinguished by England’s best partnership of the match. Root and Harry Brook added stability and ensured the chase never drifted out of control.
Brook played the perfect supporting role with a measured 42 off 75 balls before being trapped lbw by Vandersay. Root, meanwhile, brought up his 45th ODI fifty before falling for 75, undone by a pinpoint yorker from Asitha Fernando.
Buttler Finishes in Style
Jos Buttler ensured there were no late scares. His unbeaten 33 off 21 balls included a couple of authoritative blows that quietened the home crowd. England crossed the line with 22 balls to spare, sealing a confidence-boosting win.
Conclusion
England’s five-wicket win was built on patience, tactical clarity, and collective discipline. On a surface designed to test temperament, Joe Root’s calm authority and willingness to mirror Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy methods proved decisive.
Written By The Cricket Show:
For more deep-dive features, player analysis and ODI breakdowns like this, keep following The Cricket Show – your home for smart, modern cricket coverage.
