England 265 (Brook 67, Jacks 46*, Colombage 3-44, Asitha 3-53) beat Sri Lanka 176 (Wellalage 45, Mendis 42, Jacks 5-22) by 89 runs
England produced a disciplined all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, leaving the visitors with plenty to ponder after another disappointing batting display.
England’s 265 for 9 on a sluggish Riverside surface never looked imposing, but it proved more than enough as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 176 in 37 overs. Dunith Wellalage top-scored with 45, while captain Kusal Mendis made 42 on his return from a hamstring injury.
For England, Will Jacks was the outstanding performer. After rescuing the home side with an unbeaten 46, the offspinner ripped through Sri Lanka’s lower middle order to claim 5 for 22, completing his second five-wicket haul for England.
The victory continues England’s encouraging resurgence in ODI cricket under Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum. They have now won five of their seven ODIs in 2026, a significant improvement after years of inconsistency in the format.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another batting collapse.
England were initially made to work hard for their runs. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, they lost Tom Banton early to Asitha Fernando, who produced an outswinger that trimmed the off bail.
Joe Root looked in good touch, striking two elegant cover drives as England moved to 64 for 1 after the opening powerplay. But Sri Lanka’s spinners began to create problems once the ball softened.
Ben Duckett was trapped lbw attempting to sweep Dunith Wellalage before Root became the first international wicket for debutant legspinner Sachindu Colombage.
Colombage, whose unusual action and recent performances in the Lanka Premier League earned him his opportunity, was one of Sri Lanka’s biggest positives. He finished with 3 for 44 and showed enough variation to trouble England’s experienced middle order.
Root had survived an lbw review against Colombage earlier, but the legspinner eventually found the breakthrough. Root, after making a promising start, was beaten by just enough turn and departed after a 404-run stretch between ODI dismissals.
Harry Brook then fell while attempting an aggressive stroke, beginning an England slide. Jos Buttler was trapped lbw by Colombage, Rehan Ahmed was run out by Charith Asalanka and Jamie Overton fell to another straight delivery from the debutant.
At 166 for 7, England were in danger of being bowled out for a modest total.
Jacks, however, had other ideas.
Promoted into a significant role in England’s white-ball set-up, the all-rounder counter-attacked with four boundaries in an over from Asitha Fernando before finding enough support to take England towards 265.
Jacks remained unbeaten on 46, while Asitha finished with 3 for 53. Sri Lanka also benefited from an impressive spell by Dilshan Madushanka, who removed Gus Atkinson.
But the target of 266 was still beyond Sri Lanka once their chase began to unravel.
Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply, while Pathum Nissanka edged behind. Pavan Rathnayake was dismissed after an excellent low catch by Banton, and Sri Lanka’s middle order again failed to withstand sustained pressure.
Jacks then took centre stage.
He dismissed Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis lbw while they attempted to sweep, before Overton accounted for Janith Liyanage with another hard-length delivery.
When Colombage was dismissed by Rehan Ahmed, Sri Lanka had slipped to 133 for 7 and the contest was effectively over.
Wellalage provided some late entertainment, smashing Jofra Archer for the first six of the match before attacking Rehan with consecutive boundaries, including two fours and a six.
But his resistance ended on 45 when he picked out mid-on off Jacks.
Jacks completed his five-wicket haul by having Asitha Fernando caught at long-on before cleaning up Madushanka, ending Sri Lanka’s innings at 176.
The result gives England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and strengthens their growing confidence in 50-over cricket.
For Sri Lanka, the concerns are deeper than the 89-run margin. Their bowlers showed enough discipline to restrict England to 265 on a difficult pitch, and Colombage’s debut was a genuine bright spot. But once the chase began, the familiar lack of batting stability returned.
Kusal Mendis showed signs of form on his comeback, while Wellalage’s late aggression offered some resistance. Beyond them, however, Sri Lanka never established a partnership capable of changing the course of the chase.
England may not have produced a spectacular victory, but this was precisely the kind of controlled ODI performance they have been searching for.
For Sri Lanka, the challenge now is to ensure Durham does not become another reminder of how much work remains to be done.
