England’s spinners played a central role in restricting Sri Lanka’s batting during the second ODI in Colombo, helping the tourists level the three-match series with a five-wicket victory. On a slow, turning pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium, a deliberate and tactical use of spin — especially from Adil Rashid — proved decisive in bottling up Sri Lanka’s innings and setting the stage for a successful chase.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, Sri Lanka managed 219 all out, a total that looked competitive on paper but hardly daunting on a spin-friendly surface. England’s approach was clear from the outset: lean heavily on their slow-bowling resources and force Sri Lankan batters to manufacture scoring opportunities rather than allowing them to dictate terms. The spinners delivered on that strategy, chaining dots together and creating chances.
Adil Rashid was particularly effective, finishing with figures of 2/34, the most economical of England’s front-line bowlers. Rashid’s variations — mixing flight, drift, and subtle changes of pace — repeatedly tempted batters into mistakes. His first big breakthrough came when he dismissed Charith Asalanka (45), Sri Lanka’s top scorer, halting what was arguably their most threatening partnership of the innings. England’s use of spin from the 10th over onwards put pressure on Sri Lanka’s lineup, and Rashid’s disciplined spell ensured that momentum never fully swung in the hosts’ favour.
England’s spinners were used extensively: around 41 overs of the innings were bowled by slow bowlers, a tactical call that acknowledged both the nature of the pitch and Sri Lanka’s historical vulnerability against quality spin in slow conditions. The tactic worked well, stifling scoring rates and forcing batters to play risky shots when runs were in short supply.
Other slow bowlers also chipped in with vital wickets, thanks to tight lines and clever variation. England’s spin group collectively strangled Sri Lanka’s scoring avenues, conceding just enough runs to keep the pressure on while consistently threatening dismissals. It was a stark contrast to England’s struggles in the first ODI, where they failed to contain the home side’s batters and lost by 19 runs.
The result of this disciplined bowling effort was a BELOW-PAR total that ultimately cost Sri Lanka momentum. Although Sri Lanka had early starts from Charith Asalanka (45) and Dhananjaya de Silva (40), they were unable to sustain partnerships of any real substance. Each time they looked to rebuild or accelerate, England’s spin attack – with Rashid at the heart – tightened the screws.
Having successfully contained Sri Lanka’s total, England’s chase was built on calm batting under pressure, notably Joe Root’s composed 75. But without the earlier spin dominance that delivered regular wickets and choked the scoring, England might have been left with a far tougher task. That collective spin effort not only restricted Sri Lanka but also shifted psychological momentum firmly toward the visitors.
Looking ahead to the series decider, England’s spin resources — particularly Rashid’s guile and control — have now emerged as a potent weapon in conditions that favour artistry over raw pace. On a track that offered grip and turn, the visitors showed how tactical bowling choices can shape major match outcomes: by keeping the pressure on with spin, England put themselves in a position to win and kept their away ODI drought from deepening.
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