England Sets Massive 357, Sri Lanka Fight Back in Colombo Thriller
England has posted a mammoth total of 357 for 3 in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka here in Colombo, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase that could decide this tightly contested series. Harry Brook and Joe Root led the charge with stunning centuries, Brook blazing his way to 136 off just 66 balls and Root anchoring the innings with a steady 111. Their partnership gave England the momentum they needed after Brook had earlier described the pitch in the previous match as the “worst” he’s ever faced. Today, that same surface proved far kinder to the visitors.
Also Read:- Gauff Crashes Out as Sabalenka and Svitolina Set Up Australian Open Semifinal Clash
- Stranded in the Snow: Toronto Commuter’s 8km Trek After TTC Shutdown
Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 358, have started aggressively. Opener Pathum Nissanka has looked particularly sharp, finding the boundary with ease and keeping the strike rotating alongside Kamil Mishara. By the end of the fifth over, Sri Lanka are 48 for 1, signaling they are not intimidated by England’s huge total. England’s bowlers have struggled to contain the initial onslaught, with Sam Curran, Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson all seeing their early overs punished as the Sri Lankan openers play with freedom and calculated risk.
This match carries added weight. England has already leveled the series 1-1, meaning a win here not only secures the ODI series but also builds crucial momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup starting in just a few weeks. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have never lost a bilateral home series in the last five years and their record in chasing big targets at the R Premadasa Stadium suggests they could mount a formidable response. With Wanindu Hasaranga, the ace spinner, now in the lineup, Sri Lanka hopes to exploit any help the pitch might offer later in the innings.
The dynamics of this match are fascinating. England’s decision to retain a spin-heavy XI, even with Zak Crawley unavailable, shows their focus on exploiting the conditions that troubled Sri Lanka in the second ODI. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s aggressive start reflects both the pressure of chasing a huge total and the confidence of batting at home. Every over now is pivotal and a single breakthrough could swing momentum dramatically.
Read More:
0 Comments