England delivered a much-needed response to their opening defeat in Sri Lanka, chasing down a challenging total in the second ODI at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium to level the three-match series 1-1 and end one of the team’s most frustrating recent trends: their extended away ODI losing streak.
After the hosts won the first game by 19 runs, England came into the second match under pressure to stabilize their campaign in subcontinental conditions. Sri Lanka batted first and posted a respectable 219 all out on a slow, spin-friendly pitch, with Charith Asalanka top-scoring with 45 and Dhananjaya de Silva adding 40 to steady the innings. The visitors’ bowlers responded well, particularly with spin, chipping away at key partnerships and keeping Sri Lanka from converting starts into a big total.
England’s chase began cautiously on a surface that was far from ideal for aggressive strokeplay. Early wickets slowed momentum, and the scoring rate ticked up and down as batters tried to find rhythm against turning deliveries. But it was Joe Root’s composed innings of 75 from 90 balls that anchored the chase and set the foundation for victory. Root’s knock blended patience with timely aggression, finding gaps and rotating the strike effectively — a crucial combination on a difficult wicket.
Support came from several key contributors. Ben Duckett scored 39, laying the early groundwork before Root took control, while Harry Brook’s measured 42 helped steady the innings when pressure returned. As the required rate eased, Jos Buttler’s late flourish — an unbeaten 33 off 21 balls — shifted England into the driver’s seat and eventually saw them over the line with 22 balls to spare.
The result was significant on multiple levels. For England, it ended a long drought on foreign soil: prior to this match, the team had suffered 11 consecutive away ODI defeats, a streak that had underscored broader struggles in adapting to conditions outside England. This win represented not only a much-needed morale boost but also their first ODI victory abroad under head coach Brendon McCullum, who had overseen a challenging period for the white-ball side.
The victory also kept the three-match ODI series alive and set up a decisive final ODI back in Colombo, where momentum has shifted and confidence has returned to the touring side. For Sri Lanka, the loss served as a reminder of how quickly matches can turn in conditions where spin dominates and scoring opportunities are at a premium.
Both teams will now head into the series decider with plenty to play for. England, having broken their away rut and leveled the series, will aim to build on this performance. Sri Lanka, conversely, will look to reassert control on home soil and exploit the familiar conditions that have long been an advantage for them.
In a season heavy with challenges — from form issues to leadership questions — England’s second ODI win in Colombo stands out as a pivotal moment. It showed resilience, adaptability, and the ability to grind out victory under pressure, all essential traits for teams hoping to contend in the 50-over arena moving forward.
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