England Fight Back to Level ODI Series Against Sri Lanka Ahead of Decider
COLOMBO, 27 January 2026 – England produced a composed performance to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second One Day International, squaring the three-match series at 1-1. The victory, anchored by a masterful 75 from Joe Root, sets up a winner-takes-all finale at the R. Premadasa Stadium later today.
Root Steers Tense Chase on Difficult Surface
Chasing a modest target of 220, England’s batters displayed far greater patience and application than in their first-match collapse. The chase was defined by Joe Root’s expertly measured innings of 75 from 90 balls on a spin-friendly pitch he later described as “very difficult”. After the early loss of Rehan Ahmed, a 68-run partnership between Root and Ben Duckett steadied the innings before a decisive 81-run stand between Root and captain Harry Brook (28) broke the back of the chase. Will Jacks (34*) and Jos Buttler (19*) saw the visitors home with 22 balls to spare.
Bowlers Set Up Victory After Sri Lanka Stumble
Earlier, England’s bowlers, utilising a record six different spin options, successfully restricted Sri Lanka to 219 all out in 49.3 overs. Spinners accounted for 40.3 of the overs, with Adil Rashid (3/44) and Joe Root (2/12) the chief wicket-takers. Sri Lanka’s innings never found momentum, hampered by key run-outs and a failure to build substantial partnerships beyond a 66-run effort between Dhananjaya de Silva (33) and captain Charith Asalanka (45).
Captains Criticise Colombo Pitch
The state of the pitch dominated post-match discussions. England’s Harry Brook labelled it “the worst pitch I have ever played on,” praising his team’s adaptability. His Sri Lankan counterpart, Charith Asalanka, conceded his side were “short by at least 30 runs” and identified poor shot selection and run-outs as critical errors. Player of the Match Joe Root echoed the sentiment, calling the surface “challenging for ODI cricket” but expressed his pleasure at securing a win in tough conditions.
Key Facts: Sri Lanka vs England ODI Series
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series Status | Level 1-1 (3-match series) |
| 1st ODI Result | Sri Lanka won by 19 runs (25 Jan) |
| 2nd ODI Result | England won by 5 wickets (25 Jan) |
| Series Decider | 3rd ODI, 27 January, 14:30 Local Time |
| Upcoming Schedule | Three T20 Internationals (7-12 Feb) |
| Context | Preparation for 2026 T20 World Cup (India & Sri Lanka) |
Historical Context: England vs Sri Lanka
While the current focus is on white-ball cricket, the two nations have a rich Test history. In their most recent red-ball encounter, England secured a 2-1 victory in a three-Test series on home soil in August-September 2024. Key performers in that series included Joe Root, who scored twin centuries at Lord’s, and young English seamer Gus Atkinson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2nd ODI between Sri Lanka and England?
England won the second One Day International by five wickets, successfully chasing a target of 220 with 22 balls remaining.
Who was the Player of the Match in the 2nd ODI?
England’s Joe Root was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring a crucial 75 runs and taking 2 wickets for 12 runs with his off-spin.
What is the schedule after the ODI series?
Following the ODI decider on 27 January, the teams will contest a three-match T20 International series from 7 February 2026. These matches serve as direct preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka later in the year.