Sri Lanka vs England ODI Tri-Series in PAK, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! It's all over in a blink and England win by 55 runs! They will not advance further, but this will come as a huge relief, bringing their painful three-match losing streak to an end. Curran charges in from over the wicket and spears in a yorker on middle and off, with the ball shaping sharply back in. Malinga swings without much conviction, and the ball slips past the inside edge, rattling the stumps.

In a short ODI career, Dawson has already proved his credentials, finishing with 4 for 49 in 10 overs, his best figures. His stock keeps rising. Dilshan Madushanka is the last batter for Sri Lanka!

OUT! CAUGHT! No timing on that, and that's a fine catch by Tom Banton. Liam Dawson tosses this one up on middle, and gets the ball to dip a bit. Asitha Fernando sits down, clears the front leg and looks to slog it down the ground but miscues it back over the bowler's head. Banton runs in from long on and then slides across to his left, snaffling it brilliantly with both hands. Sri Lanka going down in a hurry now as Dawson ends with a four-fer.

Floated up on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller now, on off, Asitha clears the front leg and lofts it down to long off for a single.

Swing and a miss. Flatter one around off, Asitha Fernando goes down to slog sweep but fails to connect.

That should be the game for England now with Rathnayake gone. Amid all the hara-kiri, Dawson has produced a superb bowling spell so far. Asitha Fernando is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! And that should be that. A masterstroke from Harry Brook to bring back Liam Dawson for his final over now, and he sends the dangerous Pavan Rathnayake back to the dugout. Another ball that is flighted up on a length, not all that full and around middle. Rathnayake tries to force the slog sweep against the turn and gets a top edge that lobs behind to short fine leg. Sonny Baker reverse-cups it with ease, and brings about the end of a sensational knock from Rathnayake. England are now just 2 wickets away from victory.

FOUR! Sam Curran was never reaching the ball, and probably should have looked to stop the boundary there, another poor decision. Flighted up around middle and leg, drifted in on a length. Rathnayake sits down to slog sweep but top-edges it down to deep square leg. Curran runs across from deep backward square leg and slides across as the ball bounces past him for a boundary.

Liam Dawson is back on and will bowl out, as Sri Lanka need 62 runs in 36 balls.

Full and on off, shaping back in. Eshan Malinga defends it off the inside edge and gets it to the right of backward square leg, and Rathnayake denies the single.

Pitched up around off, Malinga does well to defend it out.

Full again and outside off, driven through covers for a single.

FOUR! Creamed away. Full and wide of the off stump, Pavan Rathnayake reaches out and drills the drive square through the off side for a boundary.

England have made some really schoolboy errors tonight in the field. Mistakes like that for England could be costly. Eshan Malinga walks in at number 9.

OUT! DUNITH WELLALAGE IS RUN OUT! That's a brain-fade moment, not just from Dunith Wellalage but from Sam Curran as well, and this might come back to haunt him. Slower one, pitched up on off. Wellalage stays back and plays it late, dabbing it to the left of backward point. The batters set off for the single, but Dunith halts and is ball-watching. Rathnayake is at the striker's end when Wellalage realizes that he had to run there. Joe Root picks up the ball and throws it to the bowler. Curran holds the ball and waits till Dunith gets out of his crease, and if he had whipped off the bails instantly, Rathnayake might have been out as both batters were inside the crease and hadn't crossed each other.

Absolute drama in Lahore! Both batters end up at the same end, but Curran takes an age before removing the bails. Had he dislodged them immediately, Pavan Rathnayake would have been run out. Instead, Dunith Wellalage sets off, crosses Pavan, and he is deemed run out. Cox was not pleased with Curran's delay in breaking the stumps and rightly so.

Back of a length and around off, nudged away down to backward point.

Pavan Rathnayake holds the key for Sri Lanka as they need 67 off 42.

FOUR! Crunched away, and an error in the field hands the boundary to Rathnayake. Hard length, wide of the off stump. Rathnayake stands tall and slaps it down to the left of sweeper cover. The fielder runs across and mistimes the slide, and the ball rolls off the practice pitches and goes under the hands for a boundary.

A length ball on the pads, Wellalage tucks it down to deep square leg and rotates strike.

Full and straight, slanting back in. Dunith Wellalage covers the line well and blocks it to silly mid on.

Down to the last recognised batting pair for Sri Lanka now. Dunith Wellalage is in at number 8. He is also well-equipped to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sahan Arachchige mistimes one, and Henry Crocombe strikes gold on his return. This is bowled relatively full again, in and around the off stump. Arachchige stays deep in his crease and gets low and clears the front leg to swing it away, but gets it high on the bat. The ball sails down to long on, where Harry Brook makes no mistake and Sri Lanka lose their 6th wicket, still needing 72 more off 45 balls.

Good comeback from Crocombe. Yorker length, on leg stump, and jammed away behind square leg for a single.

FOUR! Perfect start to the over for Pavan Rathnayake and Sri Lanka. Looking for the full and wide one, but this is slightly in the slot. Rathnayake hangs deep and creams it through covers for a boundary.

A series to remember for Pavan Rathnayake. Scores of 79, 130 (while chasing 430 against England) and an unbeaten 23, followed by another century in a big run chase in this triangular series. Henry Crocombe is back into the attack. He has bowled just 2 overs so far.

Knocked down the ground for a single, and that will be HUNDRED FOR RATHNAYAKE. Yet another one in a pressure situation, and his 3rd overall in ODIs. This is bowled full and at the toes, Pavan Rathnayake just eases it down to long on for a single and brings up his second ton of this series. He gets a deserved standing ovation from the dugout, but he'll know that his job is far from being over.

Slower again at 108.9 kph, bowled short and over leg stump. Arachchige leans back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Good change-up from Curran. Slower one, a tad fuller and on middle and leg, angling back in. Arachchige backs away to open up the off side but is well beaten.

Thinking about two, but won't get it, and Rathnayake moves on to 99. A full ball on leg stump, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Rathnayake and Sahan!

A bit of a halt as Curran looks in some discomfort. Brook is having a word with him as the physio sprints out to check on him. Jamie Overton comes out with a message from the dugout and relays it to Brook as Curran gets the required attention on his hand. All good to resume now.

DROPPED! A tough return chance, but Sam Curran spills it out. Low full toss around off, Pavan Rathnayake hits it straight back but more off the toe end of the bat and to the left of the bowler. Curran sticks out his left hand, up and across, but the ball thuds into the fingers and falls down. What's more, Arachchige had backed up a bit too much and scurried back. Curran tries to react quickly, pick up the ball, and eke out a run-out, but Arachchige dives in and makes his ground.

Curran gets the yorker right, landing it on middle and leg. Arachchige heaves it down to long on and picks up a single.

Sri Lanka need 81 runs in 54 balls, with the required run rate being 9 runs per over. Quite doable, to be very honest. Sam Curran returns. 5-1-35-0 so far, replacing Sonny Baker.

Fabulous from Gus, and only 6 runs come off that over. The straight yorker now, nailed right in the blockhole. Pavan Rathnayake nearly gets cleaned up, but manages to dig it out.

That's well bowled. Very full, slanted in towards the toes. Arachchige manages to get the front leg out of the way and plays it along the turf to long on for one more.

Good running. Fuller and wider of the off stump, Arachchige drives it square of the wicket and gets it to the right of sweeper cover for a couple of quick runs.

Atkinson is bowling to his field at the moment. Length ball, slanted into the legs. Rathnayake flicks it down to deep backward square leg and picks up another single.

Around the wicket to the left-hander, spearing it in, full and straight. Sahan Arachchige hits it down to long on and rotates the strike.

Full and around off, smacked away to sweeper cover for a single.

This game is on a knife-edge at the moment. Sri Lanka need 87 off the last 10 overs, whereas England will now be allowed an extra fielder to patrol the boundary ropes.

300 up for Sri Lanka! Bowls from a wider angle, does Baker, full and lasered in on the stumps, Pavan Rathnayake works it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Just effortless batting! Fuller than a length, around off, Pavan Rathnayake hits it through the line, lifting it marvellously over extra cover for a boundary. Didn't try to hit it too hard, just pure timing and perfect placement. He moves to 95.

Fantastic bowling by Sonny! Targets the stumps with a full ball, Sahan Arachchige drills it to long on for a single.

Play and a miss! Three-quarter length, angled onto the leg stump, skidding through the deck. Sahan Arachchige shuffles far across the stumps and tries to scoop it over fine leg but misses out. Would you believe it? England have missed out on their sixth wicket as the UltraEdge later shows a big spike when the ball is next to Sahan's gloves.

FOUR! Expertly played by Sahan! A slower off-cutter, dug in short and wide of off. Sahan Arachchige feasts on the width offered and carves it up and over cover-point for a boundary. 93 runs needed of 64 balls.

Around the stumps. Serves a full ball at 134.5 kph, around off, Sahan clears the front leg and bludgeons it straight to the mid off fielder.

No damage done! Pitched quite full and it tails into off stump. Arachchige makes room and drills it straight to mid off, for a single. He has to dive to get home as the fielder misses his shy at the bowling end.

Oh, dear! Gus slips in a high full toss over waist height. Pavan Rathnayake mistimes the pull shot, getting it sliced off the toe end, and the ball lands in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single. Free Hit up next...

Sri Lanka need exactly 100 runs to win! Off 67 balls. Marginally full and angled on the leg stump, Pavan Rathnayake works it to the right of long on. Tom Banton slides across to cut it off and restricts the batters to two runs.

Angles it and around leg, Sahan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Flashes, and flashes hard! Overpitched outside off, Sahan Arachchige swings with all his might to access the off side by carving it out. Gets a thick outside edge, but the ball rifles through the short third and backward point for a boundary. A very important one for the Lankans.

Full ball on leg, Pavan clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

At the pads, full in length, Pavan Rathnayake flicks it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

An appeal for LBW, but not given. Cox reckons it is sliding down leg, and they do not go upstairs. Baker slides it onto the pads on a fuller length, Sahan Arachchige shuffles far across to scoop it over short fine leg, but misses and is struck on the pads. Nonetheless, a fantastic over from Baker.

Good areas by Baker! Not too much room given. Full and aimed at the stumps, Pavan Rathnayake flicks it along the turf to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nothing extravagant! Full on the pads, and he brings Pavan back on strike with a gentle chip to the left of mid on for a single.

A bit too full on off, Sahan drills it to the mid on fielder. Three dots in a row from Baker. Sahan will be itching to go for a big shot now.

At 134 kph, full and in the channel, Sahan presses forward and taps it into covers.

Slips in a full toss from around the stumps, Sahan's bat twists at the point of contact and he miscues the shot to short mid-wicket.

A bit of a halt in the play. The umpires are in conversation with Harry Brook, perhaps telling him to get on with things. The Lankan batters, meanwhile, use this opportunity to rehydrate. A minute later, we are good to continue.

Drag-downer, outside off, Pavan knocks it to the cover fielder, but cannot get it through.

Looped up nicely, full and on off, Sahan Arachchige caresses it to deep extra cover for a single.

Landed full and outside off, Pavan drives it along the ground to long off for a run.

Root slips in a full toss at thigh height, Sahan punches it to long off for a single. He will feel that he missed out on this one.

FOUR! Smart batting by Sahan! Quicker, flatter, a touch shorter, around off, Sahan Arachchige waits on it, crouches a bit and cuts it late between the keeper and the short third fielder for a boundary. The fielder chases it but gives up quickly.

FOUR! Sahan keeps the wheels turning for the Islanders! Around off but too full by Root, Sahan Arachchige leans ahead and carves it powerfully through the cover gap for a boundary.

Harry Brook keeps shuffling the pack. He's held back Liam Dawson's final over for now, and c is back on.

Fuller than a length, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake slaps it to the deep extra cover region for a couple of easy runs. He moves to 83 and Sri Lanka need another 123 runs from 84 balls.

TWO WIDES! Pushed far down leg on a fuller length, Sahan Arachchige misses the flick and Jordan Cox also fumbles behind the stumps. He dives to his right but the ball seeps through his grasp and allows the batters to chip in a bye.

Length on off stump at 136.8 kph. Arachchige dabs it with soft hands, into the gap on the leg side, between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg, and takes two to get off the mark.

Is that the wicket that gets England back on top? Sri Lanka still have batting to come. For now, it will be Sahan Arachchige to walk in to bat at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT BY BROOK! Baker has his second wicket as he ends this swashbuckling 72-run partnership. Full and wide of off stump. Liyanage tries to free his arms, looking to smash it down the ground, but instead shanks it badly in the air, finding Harry Brook at mid off. Brook moves a couple of steps to his left and takes the catch. Against the run of play, Sri Lanka have lost another wicket. Liyanage falls and Sri Lanka are 258/5, needing 129 runs.

FOUR! Smartly done! Back of a length, bowled wide of the crease, angled in around off. Liyanage lets it come onto him, arches back and ramps it uppishly, between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Slightly full around off, Pavan pings it to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! This is fine batsmanship from Rathnayake! 250 comes up for Sri Lanka, with Pavan leading the charge again. Back of a length, outside off, Pavan stays leg side of the ball and smacks it through cover-point as the ball speeds through the gap to the fence.

Just in! Heart-in-mouth moment for Pavan Rathnayake. On a shortish bit of a length, sliding into leg stump. Liyanage hangs back to works it towards square leg, but the ball beats the bat and deflects to the leg side off his thigh pad. Cox chases after it, reaches the ball and throws to the bowler's end on the bounce. Rathnayake, almost halfway down the pitch in search of a run, is forced to turn back and plants his bat in just as Dawson collects and clips the bails. An appeal for a run out, and the on-field umpires send it upstairs for a review. The side-on replay shows that Pavan didn't drag/slide the bat in the crease, but he ploughed it in, but Dawson is a bit late to break the stumps, allowing Rathnayake to be safe

Landed full on leg, Pavan leans on and thrusts it to long on for a single.

FOUR! THWACK! Too short and it skids through the surface, Pavan Rathnayake hangs deep inside the crease and pulls it ferociously over mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

In-angler on a length, Janith Liyanage presses back and punches it to the mid on region. Brook from mid-wicket, dives to his left, makes a half-stop and parries the ball to the deep. One run taken.

Quicker, shorter, wide outside off, Pavan stands tall and steers it to deep backward point for a single.

Pitched full and outside off, Pavan Rathnayake advances down the track and drives it to the left of the diving cover fielder for a couple of runs. The sweeper mops it up in the deep.

We are 34 overs in, which means England will now choose one of the two balls in play to continue with for the rest of the innings. Also, Liam Dawson (8-0-34-2) is back on.

On a good length, wide of off. Janith hangs back and chops it towards the backward point fielder. Janith is a bit frustrated with himself for not finding the gap there.

Very full, almost a yorker, outside off, Janith tries to carve it to the off side, but gets a thick outside edge. Luckily for Janith, it goes on the bounce to short third. A yard either way and that would have raced away.

SIX! TAKE THAT, SAYS LIYANAGE! Short again at a gentle pace, angled in, Janith Liyanage picks the length in a trice and sends it sailing over deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

At 126.6 kph, another short ball on the bodyline, Pavan Rathnayake chips it aerially through the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

Short on off, Janith swivels and top edges the pull shot but it goes on the bounce to Crocombe at deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, angling in, Pavan weighs back and heaves it to deep square leg for a single.

DRINKS! Despite losing a couple of quick wickets, Sri Lanka are still very much in the hunt. They need 156 more off 17 overs, which is going to be tough, but definitely not out of reach. England have been guilty of bowling too many boundary bowls and have failed to build consistent pressure on the batters. Pavan Rathnayake holds the key again as he did in the last encounter between the two teams, but this partnership between him and Janith Liyanage could be the differentiator. England will know that a wicket or two here, and they will be on top.

Fired in on a fuller length, on the stumps, Janith hangs back and blocks it carefully. 13 runs off the over.

On a length, spinning in, clipped off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

FOUR! Pavan is on a roll here! Dropped short on middle and leg, Pavan Rathnayake picks the length early and smacks it with a pull shot to the deep mid-wicket gap for a cracking boundary. That went like a tracer-bullet.

FOUR! Gloriously driven! Not all that full, around the off stump, Pavan Rathnayake leans forward and slaps it to the right of short cover. The ball speeds away and beats the long off fielder's chase for a boundary.

Zips through the surface, full on middle, spinning in, Pavan pushes it to the bowler.

FOUR! SMASHED! Quick and a long hop, Pavan Rathnayake sinks his back knee a bit and sweep-pulls it powerfully to deep square leg, finding the gap for a boundary.

Double change. Will Jacks is back on, replacing Joe Root.

Back of a length, on off, Pavan Rathnayake hangs back and drags it to long on for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR RATHNAYAKE! Another impressive knock from the youngster. Having notched up a match-winning 130 in that mammoth 430-run chase against the same opposition, he has brought up another milestone in quick time. He will now look to make a statement with another big score in another huge chase. Angled in at three-quarter length towards off stump, Rathnayake tries to steer it towards point but gets a thick outside edge that flies past the keeper to his right, and beats short third to his left for a boundary.

FOUR! Poor delivery and punished! The 'moon ball' goes all wrong. Full toss on middle, Pavan Rathnayake gets down on a kneeand sweeps it hard to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Slower ball, full on the stumps, Janith Liyanage chips it down the ground. From long on, Tom Banton makes a fantastic sliding stop to his left and saves a few runs for sure. Just one run.

Fuller than a length, on leg, Pavan drives it to long on for a single.

On a length around leg, Janith misses the whip and the ball deflects off the pads towards the leg side for a leg bye.

Sam Curran is back into the attack, replacing Liam Dawson.

FOUR! Gets it through! On a lower trajectory, full and speared on the leg stump. Pavan Rathnayake sweeps it hard to beat the short fine leg fielder to his left for a boundary. 18 runs off the over. Sri Lanka need 181 runs from 114 balls now.

Full on leg, clipped towards Brook at short mid-wicket.

Quicker through the air, full in length, Liyanage drills it to long on for a single.

SIX MORE! That's another mighty strike and 200 comes up for Sri Lanka! Too full from Root, on the stumps, Janith makes room by backing away and hoicks it comfortably over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

SIX! Connects, and connects so well! Right into the wheelhouse, full on leg, Janith Liyanage drops down to one knee and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a flat six.

Full and flat, on leg, Pavan drills it to long on for a single.

Excellent phase for England, as they have not only stopped the flow of runs but have picked up two big wickets in a short span. Sri Lanka need 199 runs from 120 balls.

That nearly scraped through. Pushed through quicker at 90.3 kph, and at the stumps. Liyanage presses back and jams it out.

Liam drags the length back, attacking the stumps. Pavan Rathnayake goes on the back foot and punches it down to long on for one more.

Tossed up on the pads, Liyanage steps out and whacks it away to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Flatter one, drifted into middle and leg. Janith Liyanage leans on and plays it back to the bowler.

The destructive Shanaka falls cheaply this time around and this is a massive, massive moment in the game. Sri Lanka slip from 177/2 to 186/4. Janith Liyanage is in at number 6.

OUT! LBW! Excellent review! Lobbed up by Dawson, on middle. Dasun Shanaka steps out and looks to heave it leg side but the ball dips on him and he is beaten on the inside edge, getting hit on the left boot. There is a huge appeal for LBW, but it is turned down. There were two sounds on it, but Liam Dawson is fairly certain, and the review is taken. The third umpire has a look at it. There's nothing on UltraEdge, and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. Sri Lanka slip to 186/4 now.

Flighted, full and on middle, drifting back in. Dasun Shanaka drives it back to the bowler.

Low arm from Root again, at the stumps. Shanaka stays back and dabs it down in front of square leg for a single. A few tidy overs on the trot for England now.

Stump-to-stump bowling, and this is tucked away to mid-wicket for a run.

Root bowls it with a low arm, trying to slide the ball away from the right-hander. Rathnayake hops back to defend.

A bit fuller and on the pads, flicked past square leg for one more.

Flatter one on off, on a good length and this is worked away through the on side for a single.

Nagging length around middle, darting it back in. Rathnayake rocks back and dead-bats it out.

Tossed up around off, Rathnayake gets well forward and drives on the up, getting it down to long off for one more.

Angled in towards the pads this time, Shanaka leans on and clips it past mid-wicket for a single.

Good work off his own bowling by Dawson, and it will be another dot ball. Full and quick, on off, Shanaka pushes it to the left of the bowler, but Dawson dives across and makes a stop.

This is speared in, full and on off. Shanaka drives it out to mid off.

Nicely flighted, pretty full and on leg. Dasun Shanaka leans on and plays it back to the bowler.

Floated up on the pads, drifting down leg. Rathnayake tickles it 'round the corner on the leg side and picks up a single.

Liam Dawson (6-0-30-1) is back on, replacing Gus Atkinson.

Dragged shorter over middle, Shanaka rocks back and jams it down to mid-wicket.

Length again, on the stumps, and this is punched down to long on for a single.

Good length on middle and leg, tucked away past square leg for a single.

Fired in, full and straight, Shanaka pushes it back to the bowler.

Well, the bowling change brought much-needed relief for England. With 210 runs still required for Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka walks in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Brilliant review, and Joe Root's golden arm gets the big fish. Root bowls it with a round-arm, firing the ball flat and down leg. Kusal Mendis sits down to sweep but the ball seems to pass under the bat. Jordan Cox moves to his left and pouches it sharply with the gloves. England are certain that there is an edge and appeal, but the umpire turns it down. It is reviewed and Mendis' face shows that he's hit it. UltraEdge shows that there is the faintest of an underedge on it, and Mendis punches the bat in disgust as the on-field decision is changed to OUT.

England have opted for a review for a caught behind, challenging the on-field decision. Kusal is walking off already and the UltraEdge shows a clear spike when the ball is close to his bat. It's OUT.

Pushed through quick and flat on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis hangs back and dabs it down to square leg.

Interesting. Joe Root is summoned to have a bowl now.

Mendis will feel he's missed out here. Attempted slower ball, ends up being a full toss on leg stump and this is clipped away to deep square leg for a run.

Full and stright, driven down to long on for a single now.

Good length in the channel, Rathnayake pings it off the bat but hits the drive straight to the point fielder.

Excellent fielding from Baker. Hard length, just outside off and nibbling it away. Kusal stays back and dabs it down wide of short third, where Baker dives in and keeps it down to a single.

Good length on off, angling back in a bit. Mendis opts to block it off.

FOUR! Atkinson errs in line and pays the price. Good length, slanted into the pads. Kusal Mendis gets low in his stance and whips it down to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

We're halfway through the chase, and Sri Lanka are actually ahead of England after 25 overs with 170/2 on the board. England were 163/1 at the same stage. It's nicely poised at the moment.

Flatter and sliding it into the pads, Mendis works it down through square leg for one.

SIX! Boundaries coming at will for the Lankans at the moment. Tossed up again, around off, Kusal Mendis dances down the track and whacks it towards the sight screen for a biggie.

Tossed up on middle and leg, eased down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Rathnayake's confidence can be seen in his strokes here. Flatter one, full and darted across off. Rathnayake stays leg side of the ball, extends his arms and smacks it pst cover for a boundary.

Tossed up around off, Pavan Rathnayake skips down the pitch and hammers it away wide of long off. The substitute fielder James Coles gets across quickly and cuts it out with a dive, keeping it down to two runs.

Flighted up on a shorter length, turning back in. Mendis plays a short-arm jab off the back foot and gets it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Rathnayake is starting to cash in now. Pitched up at the toes, angling it in. Rathnayake does well to clear the front leg again and holds his shape before lofting it well over mid on for a boundary. 13 off that over.

A full ball on off stump, Kusal Mendis hangs deep but doesn't quite get under it and drills it with a vertical bat down to long on for a single.

Full of a good length, angled into middle and leg, Mendis stays compact and nudges it across to mid-wicket.

Hard length, pushed a bit wider. Rathnayake backs away to cut but chops it down to the keeper for a quick single. 150 up for Sri Lanka.

SIX! Launched over the ropes. Length ball, in and around off. Rathnayake takes the front leg out and cracks a lofted drive over deep cover and picks up a biggie. With that, the 50-run stand comes up between Kusal and Rathnayake.

Full-pitched delivery, just outside off, and this is punched away square through the off side for a single.

Gus Atkinson (5-1-24-0) is back on and replaces Sonny Baker.

Floated up wide of the off stump, Rathnayake makes a bit of room and hits it down past the diving cover fielder and picks up a couple of runs. 8 easy runs off that over.

Quick and short, from over the wicket now, and darted into the stumps. Mendis rocks back and gets side on, pulling it behind square leg for a single.

Stays around the wicket, does Jacks and bowls it full and on off. Rathnayake gets the reverse sweep out, hitting it on the full and down to deep third for one more.

Around the wicket to Kusal, dropping it shorter and on off. Mendis goes deep in the crease and hits it down to long off for a run.

Looking to step out but Jacks pulls the length back a bit. Rathnayake checks the shot and just punches it to the left of extra cover for a single.

Floated up around off, Rathnayake lunges across and paddles it down to the right of fine leg for a couple of quick runs.

A spin swap at this end as Will Jacks will have a bowl now. He replaces Liam Dawson.

Back of a length, angled into the pads, and this is worked away past square leg for a single.

Brilliant work in the deep. Bashed in on a hard length and over off, Rathnayake rocks back and swats it wide of the fielder at deep mid-wicket. Henry Crocombe runs to his left and manages to palm the ball back in, keeping it down to two runs.

Hard length, skidding through into the body. Mendis stays back and quickly pulls it away to deep square leg for a run.

Pitched up on off stump, darting it back in at nearly 144 clicks. Mendis clips it across to mid-wicket.

SIX! Kusal Mendis with a lovely pick-up shot. Length ball, slanted down the pads. Mendis stays low and flicks it down to fine leg, over Liam Dawson and picks up a six. Mendis moves on to 70 now.

Well, what happened there? Rathnayake collided with Baker at the non-striker's end as both were caught ball-watching, and the two tumbled into each other. The physio is out to check but both are doing alright.

No timing on that. Banged in on a hard length over middle, Rathnayake looks to whack it leg side but miscues it to mid on. The batters scamper across for a quick single, and both the bowler and the batter are watching the throw, ending up crashing into each other. Hopefully, both Baker and Rathnayake are fine.

Good length on off, played with an open g=bat face and square through covers for s single. Only 4 runs off it.

No way through the infield again. Tossed up around off, Rathnayake comes down the pitch and drives it away but can't get it past wide mid off.

Full and flat, around off, Pavan Rathnayake goes for a reverse sweep now but ends up dabbing it to backward point.

Flatter on off, punched away from the crease and through covers for a single.

The length is pulled back, outside off and turns away, Rathnayake gets back and across and punches it down to long on for a single.

A low full toss on middle, Kusal walks down the track and works it towards long off for a single.

Banged short on the bodyline to cramp the batter. Pavan Rathnayake hangs back and bunts it to the off side with soft hands.

Angles it into the batter by bashing it hard on the surface, Pavan makes room and punches it to short cover.

This one holds on the surface a wee bit. Good length, on off, Pavan stands tall and chips it on the bounce to mid off.

Length on leg, bowled from a wider angle. Mendis steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Goes full on the stumps, Kusal blocks it carefully to the cover region.

SIX! DISPATCHED! Very short by Baker on top of off, Kusal gets on top of the bounce with his weight on the front foot and hoicks it beautifully into the stands behind deep mid-wicket.

Gives it a good rip, does Dawson, dropping it full in front of the sticks. Pavan lunges and pats it back to the bowler.

Fractionally full on off, Pavan plays off the back foot and taps it to short cover.

Slows it up, full on off, Pavan eases it back to the bowler.

Quicker and fuller, Mendis leans on and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Drags the length back, on middle, Mendis rocks back and pulls it aerially to deep mid-wicket. There's no protection there and the ball trickles into the fence.

On the stumps, on a length, Mendis backs away and cuts it to backward point.

FIFTY FOR KUSAL MENDIS! What a comeback from the Sri Lankan captain. He was a short of runs coming into this game, and has grabbed this opportunity with both hands. He gets to his 37th ODI half-century by dabbing this length ball to the short third region for a single. His presence will be very crucial for the Islanders if they are to hunt down this mammoth target.

On a good length, angled in, Kusal nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Fired on the pads, full in length, Mendis flicks it to long leg. Liam Dawson charges across to his right and makes a fantastic stop with a dive. Saves two for his team for sure.

Outside off, a slower length-delivery, Mendis hangs back and slashes it to backward point.

Cannoned in on a fuller length, on off, Mendis tries to play the pick-up shot over the leg side, but the ball skids, takes the inside edge and hits his pads.

Length ball, on off, punched off the back foot to point.

Wide! Reload! Down the leg stump, Mendis misses the pull.

Darted on the pads, Kusal dinks it through mid-wicket for a single. A successful over for Dawson and England.

FOUR! Nicely played! Marginally short and on off, Kusal Mendis rocks back and cuts it over and between short third and backward point for a boundary. 100 up for Sri Lanka!

Full outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

The next batter is Pavan Rathnayake.

OUT! HIGH UP AND CAUGHT! Dawson breaks through, ending the brisk 84-run stand. He flights this one nicely, landing around off stump and full in length. Avishka Fernando charges down the track and tries to loft it over long off, but mistimes it and loses his shape. The ball sails high into the night sky, hanging up for an age. Will Jacks settles under it, eyes locked on the ball and mindful of the boundary rope, before taking a fine catch to his left. Sri Lanka are 97/2, needing another 290 runs.

Spins away off the surface, full and flat, Avishka hangs back and defends it to cover.

Targets the leg stump with a full ball, Kusal clips it to backward square leg for a single.

DRINKS! Time for a breather, and this is slowly turning into another cracker of a chase. England got early success with the ball thanks to Sonny Baker, but since then, Sri Lanka have grown in confidence and the duo of Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis are looking solid out there. Still, with 291 more needed off 34 overs, the Lankans will have to keep pushing, which will present a few opportunities to England, who need to be patient. All in all, the next 10 or so overs will give us a better idea of which way this game is swinging.

FOUR! Up and over! Overcooks this one and bowls a very full ball, at the pads, Avishka Fernando picks it up and hoists it over mid-wicket to pick up another boundary. So runs are coming at a really good pace for the Sri Lankans now. 13 runs off Crocombe's first.

Attacks the stumps with a smidge fuller ball, Avishka Fernando knocks it down to mid on.

FOUR! Picked up and put away! Slanted on the leg stump on a good length, Avishka shuffles across and just helps it to deep fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Avishka moves into his 40s with that. This partnership is just starting to frustrate England. A bit too full and on the leg stump, Avishka Fernando whips it off the inner half of the bat, hitting it up and over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Spears in a full ball, Mendis drags the bat in front and pushes it to the mid on region for a quick single.

Crocombe is into the attack now! Starts with a length-delivery on top of off, Mendis is squared up and stabs it to short third.

Darted onto the pads, on a lower trajectory. Fernando is a bit hurried on the back foot and looks to whip it away but misses. The ball deflects off the front pad and rolls to short fine leg. A half-hearted appeal but it just dies down as the umpire shakes his head.

Too full at the toes, carved back to the bowler. Dawson, this time, dives to his right to stop it.

Drops it full on off, Avishka drives it off the front foot to the left of the bowler. Dawson dives on his follow-through and makes a good stop.

Stump-to-stump line, full in length, Avishka drives it back to the bowler.

A bit full on leg with a bit of loop, Mendis creams it to long off for one more.

Sliding on the leg stump, worked to long on for a single.

FOUR! Some shot, that! Overpitched by Curran, around off, Kusal Mendis magnificently drives it through the mid off and extra cover gap for a boundary. He moves to 39!

Slower delivery, full on the stumps, 116.1 kph, Mendis keeps it out safely.

Full on the stumps, Mendis stays deep in the crease and stabs it to point.

Skiddy delivery on a length, Mendis watches it closely and taps it to the point fielder.

Short now angled on the pads, Avishka Fernando swivels and pulls it firmly to deep backward square leg for a single.

An off-cutter on a fullish length, Avishka gets across and flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Drops it full on the middle stump, sliding in, Fernando whips it to deep square leg for an easy single.

Keeps the stumps in play with a full ball, Avishka Fernando stretches forward and eases it back to Liam.

A bit slower through the air, full in length, Avishka clips it to short mid-wicket.

Around middle and leg and full, Mendis drives it to long off for another run.

Full on middle, drifting in, Avishka Fernando leans on and pushes it to the left of extra cover for a single.

SIX! That's gone many a mile! A touch short on the stumps, Avishka Fernando quickly picks the length, goes deep in the crease and hoists it over deep mid-wicket for a big six.

FOUR! Sublime! A half-volley by Curran from around the stumps. Kusal Mendis presents full face of the bat and majestically drives it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Back of a length, on top of middle, sitting up nicely. Kusal Mendis swivels and nails the pull shot to deep square leg, finding the gap for a boundary. The 50-run stand is up between this pair now.

Slanted onto the pads, on a length, Avishka tucks it wide of square leg for one more.

Good length, sliding onto the pads, Mendis whips it to the deep square leg region for a single.

Another length ball, angling in, Mendis steers it to mid-wicket.

Length-delivery on leg, Mendis nudges it to the leg side.

Pitched full on leg, Kusal drives it along the ground to long off for one more. Two off Dawson's first.

Very full on middle, Avishka Fernando drives it to long off for an easy single.

Full and outside off, worked to point.

Oh, just short! Pushed through with a lovely loop, full and on middle and leg, Avishka Fernando gets forward to drive it straight but the ball holds on the surface a touch and arrives late. He ends up chipping it off the inner half of the bat. Dawson dives to his right on the follow-through but the ball just yorks his fingers and deflects to the leg side.

Shortish delivery, outside off, Fernando punches it to short cover.

Starts from around the stumps with a length ball that drifts in. Avishka defends it off the back foot.

A brilliant start by Curran. Sri Lanka's 55/1 meets England's 62/0 after 10 overs. Time for Powerplay 2 now. England will have the luxury of having a maximum of four fielders outside the inner ring till the 40th over. And it's time for some spin as well. Liam Dawson is brought on.

A maiden over to close out the first Powerplay. Excellent stuff from Sam Curran. Good length, attacking the off stump, and Mendis solidly blocks it off. Sri Lanka are 55/1.

Make that five dots in a row now. Nagging length on off, angling back in. Mendis defends it under the eyes.

Four dots on the trot now. Curran keeps the length full, sliding it in, but takes pace off. Kusal Mendis leans on to driv but ends up chipping it short of the fielder at mid on.

Even fuller now, pushed into the stumps. Mendis clips it down to mid on.

Full and around off, skidding through. Kusal eases the drive towards cover.

Curran slides one into the legs, bowling it a touch fuller. Mendis tries to get inside the line and flick but gets it off the leading edge and back down the pitch.

Sri Lanka are beginning to motor along now as 33 runs have come in the last three overs. Sam Curran comes into the attack as the first bowling change, replacing Sonny Baker.

On a good length, angling the ball in from outside off before getting it to straighten. Fernando covers the line well and blocks it off.

Good length, on middle and leg, and this is nudged away in front of mid on.

FOUR! Glorious from Avishka Fernando this time. Overpitched and outside off, Fernando just leans on and creams the drive through extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! Oh, just through the gap. Banged in on a hard length around off, not all that short. Fernando swivels back and short-arms jabs it uppishly and in between short mid-wicket and mis on for a boundary. 50 up for Sri Lanka.

Good length, straighter in line now, and Fernando clips it down to mid-wicket.

Pitched up a bit, outside off and sliding onto the bat nicely. Fernando leans on and caresses it straight to the cover fielder.

Bowled fuller and outside off, shapes it back in pretty late. Mendis rocks back and jams it down to short third.

SIX! BANG! Length ball at the stumps, Kusal Mendis takes a step across to move inside the line of the ball and whacks it down towards long on for another biggie. 18 off the over with a ball to go.

A bit of hesitation, but no damage is done. Hard length around off, Fernando hops across and nudges it down to the right of square leg before eventually scampering through for a single.

Back of a length and outside off, steered down to deep third for a single.

SIX! It seems like a change of bat has also brought about a change in fortune for Mendis. Banged in short and at the batter, but Kusal is ready for it. He gets inside the line early and muscles it over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

FOUR! Kusal Mendis has decided to go hard at the bowlers now. Full of a good length, on off, and Mendis laces it straight back, just to the left of the bowler and the ball rockets to the fence.

Full of a good length, close to the off stump. Mendis makes room and dabs it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Finally, Kusal manages to get one away. Banged in short over middle, Mendis wallops it away over mid-wicket and picks up his first boundary of the game.

Ouch! Kusal Mendis has not nearly, but has actually cleaned up the non-striker here. Pitched up on middle, Mendis laces a straight drive a tad uppishly and straight into the body of Avishka Fernando at the other end. Fernando does well to get compact and avoid a hefty blow to his body.

A half-hearted appeal for LBW, but that seems too high. Bashed into the deck, bowling it over middle. Fernando gets inside the line to pull but it isn't short enough and the ball goes off the thigh pad and behind square leg. Leg bye taken.

Short and angling down leg, and this is pulled down to fine leg for a single.

Good-length delivery, on a tight line around off and there's a hint of movement into the batter. Mendis looks to open up the off side but pulls out and ends up chopping it down on the deck.

Just a couple of boundaries and 10 dot balls in the last two overs. Hard length outside off, Fernando rocks back and extends his arms, punching it straight to the cover fielder.

Good length, hitting the deck hard and angling it into off. Fernando solidly blocks it to extra over.

FOUR! Through the gap. Way too full from Baker, on middle and leg. Fernando takes a step to the off side and shovels it off the pads through mid-wicket for another boundary.

Nagging length, in and around off, getting the ball to hold its line again. Fernando tentatively defends it to the off side.

Really full and outside off, looking to swing it back in. Fernando lunges across and jams it out to covers.

FOUR! That's nicely done. On the shorter side, straighter too. Fernando moves inside the line and uses his wrists to flick it uppishly over mid-wicket for a boundary.

A maiden from Atkinson. Back of a length and over off, Kusal Mendis presses back and dabs it down to cover.

Five dots on the trot now. Full-pitched delivery on off and middle, just nips back in a bit, skidding through. Mendis leans on to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Kusal's bat has snapped in two, with the handle coming clean away from the blade. The reserve player comes in with a couple of options for Mendis to choose from. He does select one, and is good to resume.

Bowled from wider on the crease, slanted back into the batter. The ball hits the bat hard as Kusal looks to defend it on the leg side, and actually, the bat is broken in half. The English players have a laugh as Kusal continues to have some bizarre incidents with the bat in this series.

Good length again, in the channel, patted down towards point by Mendis.

Good length, on off again, and straightening a bit. Mendis gets squared up a touch and nudges it down to cover-point.

Pitched up on the off stump line, Mendis opts to defend it from the crease.

Back of a length, in the channel. Kusal Mendis presses back and angles it down through backward point for a run.

Baker looked likely to strike with the way he is getting the ball to move. Kusal Mendis, the skipper, is in at number 3. He has been short of runs in this series and would look to make a big impact this time around right before the final.

OUT! TIMBER! Sonny Baker is ecstatic, and he's been brilliant with the new ball. Baker lands the ball a tad fuller than a good length and on off. Kamindu Mendis thinks it is the conventional away-swinger and looks to play down the line, but the ball holds its line and catches a feather of an inside edge before crashing into the stumps. Sri Lanka are rocked early in their chase of 387 and are now 13/1.

Just lost his line a bit on that previous ball. Baker continues from around the stumps.

Wide. Around the wicket to the left-hander, full and sliding it down leg.

Another inswinger, relatively full and angled into middle and leg. Fernando clips it to the right of mid on and pinches a quick single.

Pitched up on the fifth-stump line, Fernando prods ahead and strokes it on the up, but it is quickly cut off by the short extra cover fielder to his right.

On a length and much wider of the off stump, curves back in a bit. Fernando punches it out to cover.

Ooh, that's nearly snuck through. The inswinging yorker, nips back in sharply towards the stumps and lands right in the blockhole. Fernando does well to keep the front leg out and jam his bat down in time.

Length ball on off and middle, pushed back down the deck.

Just short! Short-pitched delivery, picked up off the hips and flicked down to fine leg by Fernando. Sonny Baker runs in from the deep and puts in a lunging dive, nearly reaching the ball. Baker also does well to get his body behind the ball and keeps it down to a single.

Full of a good length, around off and darting back in. Fernando gets halfway forward and pushes it down to mid off.

Much fuller this time, in and around off, Fernando gets caught back on the crease and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

FOUR! That's a stylish shot. On the shorter side, and into the bodyline. Fernando lifts the front leg up and short-arm jabs it in front of square leg for a boundary.

WIDE! A bit more energy behind the ball, but Gus loses his radar and angles it down the leg side.

Atkinson hits a hard length and slants it into middle and leg. Fernando awkwardly tucks it to mid-wicket.

Lovely shape. Full of a good length, around off and shaping away late. Kamindu Mendis leans on to drive but pulls out of the shot late, edging it down into the off side.

Back of a length and on off, angling back in. Mendis presses back to defend.

A tad shorter over middle, Kamindu Mendis is early into the pull and misses out on the connection, getting hit on the thigh pad.

Fuller and wider of the off stump, swinging back in. Fernando hangs back and pokes at it, edging it down through the gully region for a single.

Another inswinger, but this time it is a tad short and that allows Avishka Fernando to press back and defend.

Baker begins with a lovely inswinger. Good length around off, curves back in sharply to the right-hander. Avishka Fernando is hurried but manages to jab it out on the off side.

Sonny Baker to operate from the other end.

Five dots and a boundary off the first over of the chase. Gus pulls the length back a few inches and slants it back in towards off stump. Mendis gets right behind the line to block.

Good length, around the fifth-stump line, no shape on it. Kamindu Mendis shoulders arms.

Full-pitched delivery on off, Mendis solidly blocks it off the front foot.

FOUR! A bit edgy, but Mendis and Sri Lanka are off the mark. Good length around off, Kamindu gets pegged back and squared up a bit, but pushes at it with an angled bat and gets it down to deep third for a boundary.

Pitched fuller now, in the channel and gets the ball to wobble a bit. This time Mendis leans on and makes a leave.

Beaten first up! Atkinson starts around the wicket and lands it back of a length, getting the ball to shape away from the left-hander with some extra bounce. Kamindu Mendis has a poke at it but gets beaten.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sahan Arachchige nearly made a mess of that and gets knocked flat on his back, but hangs on to the catch, and England finish with 386/5 on the board. Dilshan Madushanka misses his mark with the yorker and ends up bowling a full toss around off. Jordan Cox gets forward, but is a bit taken aback and ends up slicing it high over extra cover. The fielders from cover and long off converge, and it is Arachchige from the latter position who nearly overruns it before clinging on to the ball with both hands over his shoulder.

A yorker, on leg stump. Curran steps out to swing and gets an inside edge down to fine leg for just a single.

Full again, at the stumps. Curran drills it back past the bowler and down to the left of long on for a couple of runs. 13 off the over already.

Much better from Madushanka. Full and straight, in the blockhole. This is dug out onto the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Cleverly done by Cox. Slower one around off, fuller too. Cox is quick to lunge well across to the off side, and he waits well before sweeping it up and over backward square leg for a boundary.

SIX! Dispatched over the ropes, and this is now the highest-ever ODI score at the Gaddafi Stadium. Full and slinging into the pads from around the wicket. Cox full-sends the flick, hammering it flat over deep square leg for a biggie.

Right. Time for the final over of the innings. Dilshan Madushanka (8-0-50-0) will wrap it up.

Hard length around off, Jordan Cox looks to swing it away from deep inside the crease but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the batters scamper across for the single.

Cox tries to get funky here. Full and outside off, Cox brings out the reverse lap but fails to connect.

Full and wide outside off, jammed down to extra cover for a single. Malinga has now conceded 100 runs in this game, and it is Curran, the person who brought up a similar and unwarranted stat in their last encounter, who is the one to bring up Malinga's ton.

Full again, angling it across off. Curran stays deep and heaves it off the toe end of the blade and to deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.

Right in the slot, but Curran gets undone by the lack of pace. Slower one, pitched full and around off. Curran looks to swing across the line but misses.

Full and outside off, tailing back in. Cox backs away and slices the ball towards cover for a single.

Eshan Malinga (9-0-96-1) will bowl the penultimate over.

Full and straight again, in the blockhole and Cox jams it down through wide mid on for a single. End of a pretty decent spell from Asitha Fernando given the current status of the game.

Full, on middle and leg, and this is driven down to long on for a single.

SIX! For once, Fernando misses his mark and gets punished. However, Pavan Rathnayake should have done better in the deep. Juicy full toss over the stumps, Curran swings it high towards deep mid-wicket. Rathnayake lunges towards the ropes to take the catch and has an eye on the onrushing long on fielder, and thinks about flicking the ball to him, but falls over and lands over the ropes along with the ball.

Full and on off, Cox stays deep in the crease, backs away and ends up just hitting it down to long on for a run.

In the blockhole again, on middle and leg, and Curran digs it out to mid off for one more.

Fernando has been spot-on with the yorkers yet again. Right at the toes, and Cox only manages to stab it into the turf and the ball goes down to long on for a single.

Very full, speared in at the pads. Cox punches it down to long on for a single. 11 off the over.

A reverse-swinging yorker at the toes. Cox manages to heave it away wide of the long on fielder, and races back for the second run.

Slower one, on a length and around off. Curran waits well before hitting it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Banged away to the fence, and the 350 is up for England. A full toss on off and middle, curving away. Sam Curran flat-bats it straight back over the umpire's head and picks up a boundary.

A full and wide one, ends up being a low full toss. Cox slaps it down to the left of deep point for a single. The batters think about the second run but decide against it.

Malinga doesn't quite get the wide yorker into the blockhole. Cox hangs back and powers it past extra cover and to the left of wide long off for a couple of runs.

Eshan Malinga is back for his final spell. 8-0-85-1 are his bowling figures so far.

Full-pitched delivery on off, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Jordan Cox jams it down to long off and collects a single. Just 4 runs and a wicket off that over.

Full and straight, short-arm jabbed down to wide long on for just one more.

Another attempted yorker, very full and reverses back onto the stumps. Cox stabs it down into the deck and the ball goes to mid off for a single.

Very full and on leg stump, Sam Curran nudges it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Still no Root, as it's Sam Curran at number 6, with 4.4 overs left in the first innings. 400 is still a possibility.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Asitha Fernando sticks to his plans and gets a timely wicket for his side. This is bowled full and wide of the off stump again, searching for the blockhole. Will Jacks steps out and tries to back away and hammer it over the off side but gets a big inside edge and the ball crashes back into the stumps. Jacks' quickfire cameo ends, and England are now 341/4.

That's a fine delivery. In the blockhole, just outside off and there's a hint of reverse back into the right-hander. Jacks backs away to smack it through the off side but is well beaten.

Asitha Fernando is back on, replacing Eshan Malinga.

A low full toss on leg, 124.2 kph, Jacks whips it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a single. Another expensive over as 14 runs come off it.

Another off-pace delivery on middle, Cox digs it out towards long on and settles for a single.

Good hustle! Full on the middle stump with the pace taken off, and Cox bunts it to the right of long on, scampering back for a quick couple.

FOUR! Oh, dear! That's too sloppy from Pavan Rathnayake. Length on off stump, and Cox hangs back before pulling it towards deep mid-wicket. Rathnayake, stationed there, lets it slip through his legs, gifting England a boundary.

Pitched full and around middle, Jacks shimmies down the track and works it to long on for a single.

Wide! Miles outside off, misfired beyond the guideline. Jacks is happy to leave that.

FOUR! Off the top edge, but Jacks won't mind it! Short by Dasun, on top of the stumps, Jacks tries to pull but gets a fat top edge and sees the ball sail over the keeper for a boundary.

Very full outside off, with the pace taken off at 112.3 kph. Cox gets an inside edge and clips it to the left of deep backward square leg, coming back for a couple. 12 runs off the over.

FOUR! Through the gap! Very low full toss on the leg stump, Jordan Cox takes it on the full and drags it through mid-wicket, finding the gap as the ball speeds to the fence.

Short and slow from the bowler, and Cox simply lets it sail past.

Attempted yorker on off, Cox lets it tail into him and whips it to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

Wide! Spears it full but beyond the tramline to keep it away from the hitting arc. Cox lets it be.

Full and outside, almost a yorker, and this is carved down towards long off for a single.

Wide! Full but spilled well outside off stump, breaching the tramline as well. Jacks leaves it alone.

A straight yorker from Malinga, Cox jams it back down the pitch and the ball rolls down between long off and long on. Just a single is taken.

Back-of-a-hand slower ball, outside off, Jordan Cox slashes it to sweeper cover for a single.

Slammed in short and slow, Jacks has a swing at the cut but misses. Kusal fumbles behind the stumps as the ball dies on him, and the batters pinch a bye as it deflects away to short third.

FOUR MORE! Jacks getting into his stride now! A bit back of a length, and Jacks hangs back before carving it right through the two fielders patrolling the square leg boundary. These are crucial runs for England.

FOUR! PUNISHED! A bit too full by Shanaka, on middle, Will Jacks dances down the track and hammers a straight drive, splitting mid on and mid off for a boundary.

Short and slow, angling away from the batter, Jacks swings hard to thump it over mid off, but connects nothing but a handful of thin air.

Good length on the leg stump, Cox steers it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Full and wide outside off, Will Jacks slices the drive over extra cover. There is plenty of time to come back for the second, and he takes it comfortably.

Full and with a bit of reverse swing on it, Jordan Cox gets off the mark with a drive to mid off for a single.

End of a marathon knock from Ben Duckett. Still no Joe Root, as Jordan Cox walks out to bat next.

OUT! SIMPLE CATCH! Big, big wicket for the Lankans but there's hardly any celebration form them. Eshan dishes out an off-cutter but it is a full toss on the stumps. Ben Duckett shuffles across to play the scoop shot but mistimes it and offers a straightforward catch to Asitha Fernando at short fine leg. Asitha moves a bit to his left and gets on his knees to swallow it up. England are 301/3 as Duckett falls on an outstanding 167.

Nearly a yorker on the leg stump. Jacks drills it to the left of long on for a single.

300 up for England! Low full toss on middle, Duckett drags it down to long on for a single.

Slips in a low full toss, on middle and leg. Jacks creates room and hits it towards long off for a single.

Eshan Malinga (6-0-67-0) is back on. He's been really expensive so far. Can he make amends late in the innings?

Full and on the pads, Jacks tries to work it through the leg side. The inside edge saves him, sending the ball trickling down to deep square leg for a single.

Full ball outside off, Duckett works it to sweeper cover for a single.

Back of a length, outside off stump, Duckett looks to dab it away, but is beaten on the outside edge.

Had to turn back! A slower ball from around the wickets, pitched on a good length. Will Jacks waits patiently before dinking it into the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket for a single. The fielder at deep mid-wicket, Pavan Rathnayake, sprints across and fires the throw towards the bowler's end, but there is no one to back up at the stumps. Sahan Arachchige collects it at extra cover instead. Jacks, already halfway down for the second, quickly turns back and makes it in comfortably.

Full and seemingly a slower one by Shanaka, wide of off. Duckett gets low, throws his hands at it and smashes it to deep cover-point for a single.

Too full on the pads, Duckett shovels it to the left of the bowler.

England have scored 232 runs in the span of 11-40 overs, that is, the second Powerplay. It's time for the final Powerplay and Sri Lanka will now have the luxury of having a maximum of five fielders outside the circle till the end of the innings. England are well on course for a 400 plus finish. Dasun Shanaka is back on.

A single to end the over, and England are 294/2 at the end of 40 overs. A straight yorker now, jammed down to long on for a single by Duckett.

Oh, that's almost too high from Fernando. Full toss over middle, coming in around waist height. Jacks makes a bit of room and hits it away down through square covers for a run.

Much better from Asitha. A yorker on leg stump, and there's a hint of reverse on it as well. Duckett works it away in front of square leg for a single.

FOUR! Duckett puts away another short ball. Pace off again, dug in shorter and around leg. Duckett swivels and pulls it flat between deep mid-wicket and deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Full and straight, ends up being a low full toss. Jacks flicks it to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Back of a length, it is the off cutter that goes away from the left-hander. Duckett waits well before cutting it towards sweeper cover for a run.

Full and quick, landing it around leg stump. Duckett clips it through mid-wicket for one. There is a slight fumble in the deep, but the batters stay content with the single.

Good length, on middle, offering no room to the batter. Jacks rocks back and heaves it through mid-wicket for one more.

A tad shorter around leg, Duckett backs away and forces the pull down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

From around the wicket and floated up at the pads, trying to tuck Duckett up. Duckett misses the flick and wears it on the pads.

FOUR! That is a howler of a delivery. Darted in, a mile down the leg side, but Duckett does well to get to it and helps it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Full and flat, outside off, and this is smacked down to long off for a single.

There's the 150 now for Ben Duckett, and this has been a sensational knock from the southpaw. Full and on leg stump, Duckett clips it away wide of deep mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs. Duckett raises his bat and joins an elite list of English batters to have two or more scores of 150 or more in ODIs.

Length ball, angled wide of the off stump. Jacks knocks it down to the right of point and picks up a single.

FOUR! What a way to start! Overpitched, on the pads, a hint of reverse as well. Will Jacks just leans on a bit, keeps his balance and drills it wide of mid on for a boundary.

That is a big wicket for Sri Lanka. It could make the difference in keeping England under the 400 mark. Will Jacks is in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Harry Brook was trying too many things out there, and ends up giving his wicket away. Brook moves around in his crease again as Asitha Fernando bowls a full toss on off. Brook ends up past the off stump and tries to scoop but gets cramped for room and ends up spooning it in the air. Fernando runs to his left in the follow-through and pouches it safely. England are 270/2 now in 37.3 overs.

FOUR! Brook shows his cards early by backing away and Asitha tries to follow him with a yorker. However, this one ends up angling down the pads and Brook flicks it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Pitched up on middle and leg, angling across the left-hander. Duckett plays a wristy flick through mid-wicket and gets a single.

Kusal is ringing the changes to find a breakthrough. He brings back Asitha Fernando, who replaces Dilshan Madushanka.

A single to end, but 11 runs come off the over. Fired in full and on leg stump, Duckett goes down for the reverse sweep and jams it down to deep backward point for a run.

Floated up on the stumps, Brook leans on and drives it down to long on for one more.

Quicker through the air, landing it around the pads. Duckett tucks it past square leg for a single. He's now on 147.

FOUR! Even better and Duckett finds the fence again. Shorter on middle, Duckett rocks back and powers the pull towards cow corner for four more runs.

FOUR! Swung away to the fence. Fractionally short, darted into the pads. Duckett swivels back and slogs it flat and in front of square leg for a boundary.

Had to really wait for that one. Slower one, on a dragged length, Duckett plays a reverse dab down to the right of deep point and picks up two runs.

Dunith Wellalage (8-0-54-0) is back into the attack, replacing Eshan Malinga.

Good length, wide of the off stump, this is hit away hard but straight to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller now, on off, and it is a heavy ball from Dilshan Madushanka. Duckett is rushed into the shot and scythes the drive to mid off.

FOUR! Duckett breaks the rut with a fine shot. Another slower ball, but too short and too wide this time. Duckett waits well before hopping up and cutting it up and over backward point for a boundary. 250 up for England as well.

Excellent change-up by Madushanka. Slower and short, wide of the off stump. Duckett hops up to cut but is undone by the lack of pace.

Another dot ball, very rare. Full-pitched delivery, a bit wide of the off stump. Duckett looks to drive it square but is well beaten.

Good length on the pads, whipped away straight to the man just behind square on the leg side.

Another short-pitched delivery, dug in well short and around off. Duckett has to reach for it and toe-ends it down through wide mid on for a single.

FOUR! Sri Lanka just aren't learning their lesson here. A slower bumper around leg, Ben Duckett moves inside the line and helps the pull down to long leg for another boundary.

One more as Brook shanks the slower full toss on the pads to deep backward square leg.

Full on middle and leg, driven away through wide mid on for a single.

FOUR! Oh, that's cheeky from Duckett. Duckett is early to shuffle to the off side and Malinga tries to bowl a full one on leg, but ends up serving a full toss. The ball dips late but Duckett adjusts and ramps it down to fine leg for a boundary.

A juicy full toss on leg stump, Duckett gets cramped for room but manages to swat it away to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Another productive over for England and they have smashed 40 runs in the last 18 balls, attacking from both ends now. Right, 34 overs have been bowled. Sri Lanka have picked one of the two balls to carry on till the end of the innings. Eshan Malinga continues.

Fuller one on middle, sliding back in. Duckett walks ahead and flicks it down to deep backward square leg for a run.

FOUR! Another one-handed blow, and this one just falls short of the ropes. Slower one, short and around off. Duckett is early into the swing but manages to get good power behind it, and the ball bounces over the ropes at deep mid-wicket.

Good work in the deep. Short and wide, slapped away hard and wide of sweeper cover. The fielder runs around to his left and keeps the ball in play. Two taken.

Length ball, sliding back into the legs, and Duckett flicks it straight to short fine leg.

Slower again, full and straight. Brook steps out to hammer it down the ground, but miscues it to long on for just a single.

Slower one, pitched up on leg stump and angled into the batter. Brook moves leg side and clips it to the right of deep square leg for a brace.

Looking pretty ominous for Sri Lanka now. Runs are flowing far too easily from the bat and the bowlers are not learning from their mistakes. Dilshan Madushanka (6-0-35-0) is back into the attack.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over, and 18 runs come off it. A skiddy short ball on leg, Ben Duckett mercilessly pulls it away in front of square leg and the ball rockets to the fence. 30 off the last two overs.

Full and straight now, Brook plays cat and mouse as he shuffles across a bit, before standing his ground and hitting it wide of long on for a single.

Good length on off and middle, quicker and skidding through. Brook stays leg side of the ball and taps it down to wide third man for a couple more runs.

FOUR! England are in overdrive mode here. Fuller this time, darted in at the stumps. Brook backs away and thwacks it off the inner half of the blade, bisecting the fielders at mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! Brook wants to take control of the ship now, it seems. Hard length, slanted back into the batter. Brook is taken aback but ends up going through with the shot, swinging it one-handed and over the deep square leg fielder for another six. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Good length on leg, tucked away down to fine leg for a single.

Eshan Malinga (4-0-36-0), who's had a pretty rough day so far, replaces Dasun Shanaka.

SIX! That's gone all the way, and Brook is on the charge now. Full and angled into middle and leg, Brook clears the front leg, stays low and swings it away wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a six.

FOUR! Fine shot. Full again, around middle, Brook gets down to sweep, and lunges inside the line to hammer it through backward square leg for a boundary. 200 up for England.

Tossed up at the stumps, drifting back in. Brook drives it back to the bowler.

Floated up on off, Duckett attempts the reverse sweep but gets it off the glove and over the keeper's head for a single. Replays actually show that it was off the forearm, but it is given as runs.

Flatter and a bit fuller outside off. Duckett looks to dab it off the back foot but can't quite get it away.

Not where he intended it to go. Floated up around off, Harry Brook steps out and ends up dragging the lofted shot to long on for a single.

Drinks Break! Shanaka did give Sri Lanka a small reason to smile by removing Banton halfway through the innings, but the visitors have otherwise struggled to slow England down. Singles and twos have come far too easily, and the boundary has been found almost every over. With nine wickets still in hand, Duckett cruising past his century, and Brook looking ready to shift gears, England will be miffed if they do not go well beyond 350. For Sri Lanka, it is all about picking wickets in clusters now to restrict England to below that mark.

A single to end the over, 9 easy runs off it. Full and angled into the legs, Brook stays leg side of the ball and smacks it down to long on for a run.

Full-pitched delivery around off, Duckett thumps the square drive to sweeper cover for just a single this time.

FOUR! Hammered away. Short of a length, wide outside off. Ben Duckett has to wait for it, and does so well before slapping it down to the left of sweeper cover for a boundary.

The singles keep on coming. Fuller in length, on off, Brook uses his wrists to shovel it down to long on.

Full and wide, slower too. Duckett hits it square to deep point and turns the strike over.

Length ball on middle, Brook backs away and pats it down to the left of long on for a single.

On a fuller length, on off, Brook creates room by exposing the stumps and smears it to deep extra cover for a single.

Quicker and fuller, Brook lunges and blocks it solidly.

HUNDRED FOR BEN DUCKETT! Another special knock from the English opener and he goes back-to-back in this tri-series. A century against Pakistan a couple of moons back and now against Sri Lanka as well to get to his 6th ODI ton. He removes his helmet, kisses the badge, and raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from his teammates and the English supporters present at the Gaddafi Stadium. A wee bit shorter and outside off, Duckett comfortably steers it past backward point for a single to complete his third century in ODIs on Pakistani soil. Outstanding knock.

Flat and short, around off, Brook goes back and across and drags it to the long on region for a single.

Pitched on middle and on a length, Duckett rocks back and punches it to long on for a single. He moves to 99!

Too full and outside off, Brook carves it to the left of long off for a single.

Good-length delivery, on off and middle, Brook swats it down to long on for a single.

Full and straight, on off, Brook backs away to create room and hammers it away, but straight to short cover.

Back of a length, around leg, Duckett camps back and steers it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

In-between length, on the fourth stump, Duckett punches it to short cover.

Seeing Brook move to the leg side, Dasun follows the batter with a full ball. Harry clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Too full outside off, Duckett slaps it to mid off's right and steals a single.

Good length ball outside off stump, Ben punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Magnificent shot and Duckett gallops to 95! Slightly back of a length, on leg, Ben Duckett rolls his wrists to control the pull shot along the ground and beats the deep mid-wicket fielders' slide for a boundary.

On off and full, Ben drags it off the inner half of the bat to mid on.

In-between length, on leg, Duckett tucks it to mid on but cannot find the gap there.

Back of a length, outside off, dabbed off the back foot towards deep third for a single.

Length ball on off, Harry walks out of the crease and knocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Gets it through! A loosener onto the pads, Duckett isn't missing out on those as he just tickles it to the long leg region for a boundary.

Full and around off, driven hard to the right of mid off, but a diving stop there keeps the batters to a single only.

No damage done! But a nervy moment for Brook. It is a length-delivery that slides down the leg stump. Brook shuffles inside the line to work it to the leg side but misses. Kusal moves to his left and collects the ball before whipping the bails off as Brook gets off-balance while trying to keep his foot grounded. A big appeal for caught behind/stumping, but the umpire is unmoved. Captain Kusal Mendis has a chat with Shanaka before he sends it up for a review. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and the ball has actually clipped the back pad, hence a spike. So the on-field decision is upheld and Sri Lanka lose a review.

A yard behind fuller length, outside off, Brook bumps it back to the bowler.

Full and outside off, stroked crisply to mid off.

Full and at the stumps, Brook presses forward and blocks it to short cover.

Short and outside off, Brook gets on his toes to deal with the bounce and dabs it to deep third for a single.

Pitched quite full and on off, Brook watchfully blocks it with a straight bat.

From around the stumps. Banged short on the middle stumps, Brook ducks underneath it.

Back of a length, outside off stump, 130.8 kph, Ben weighs back and knifes it to the left of deep third for a single.

On the fuller side and this is drilled to mid on.

Fullish delivery, outside off, Ben chips it on the bounce to mid off.

Sri Lanka get their first wicket right on the halfway mark in the innings. Harry Brook walks out to bat next. Also, Dilshan Madushanka is back into the attack.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! At long last, Sri Lanka have their first wicket. Shanaka breaks the deadlock by bowling an off-cutter into the pitch, outside the off stump. Tom Banton throws his hands at it without moving his feet, trying to smash it through covers. But he gets beaten by the lack of pace and the ball deflects off the inside edge to crash into the stumps behind. Banton will be kicking himself over the way he got out here. But a fine knock nonetheless. England are 163/0.

Slower ball, full and outside off. Banton slaps it wide of cover. The deep point fielder covers a lot of ground to his left and tidies it up. Restrict the batters to two runs.

Length ball, around off, Banton stabs it back at the bowler.

Slightly fuller and outside off. Banton shimmies down the track and smashes it to the off side, but cannot get it past the short cover fielder. Well fielded there.

Short on middle, nudged off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

Length on the pads, Duckett steers it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Dasun Shanaka is now introduced in the attack.

Shortish delivery outside off, punched on the rise to short cover.

Length ball on the pads, flicked off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

Around off on a length, Banton knocks it to mid off.

Nagging length, on leg, Banton stands tall and taps it to mid on.

Short on the leg stump, Duckett nurdles it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, this is stroked towards wide mid on for a single.

Drags the length back by flattening the trajectory, Banton goes deep in the crease and knocks it along the ground to long on for a single. 10 easy runs off the over!

Too full on the fourth stump, 82.9 kph, Duckett whips it down to long on for one more.

A touch short on off, Banton rocks back and punches it to long off for a run.

Slower through the air, full on off, Banton leans on and taps it to short cover.

SIX! Good use of the feet! Drops a half-volley around off, does Wellalage, Banton jumps down the track, gets underneath it and hoists it over long off for a huge six. That brings up the 150 for England! Both these batters are looking unstoppable at the moment. Frustration is rising for the Islanders.

Full and spinning in from middle to leg, Ben clips it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Length-delivery, on off, Banton punches it on the up to mid off. He tries to steal a run but Duckett stays put and sends him back.

A touch fuller than the previous ball and this is dinked once again to the widish mid on region for a single.

Banged hard into the pitch, on middle, Duckett looks to pull but the ball gets big on him due to extra bounce and he chips it to the left of mid on. Dasun Shanaka moves across and slides to cut it off. Two runs taken.

Play and a miss! Back of a length, far outside off with extra bounce. Duckett throws kitchen-sink at it to flay it over point, only to miss out on connection.

Short again, on top of off, Duckett hammers it with a pull shot to get it past mid-wicket, but Pavan Rathnayake dives and makes a fine stop to his right.

Short of a length, on leg, Banton swivels and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Double change? Yes! Asitha Fernando is back on.

Full on the stumps, drilled back to Dunith.

Full and quick, outside off, smashed down to long off for a single.

Good fielding! Flat and short, outside the off stump, Banton hangs back and cuts it late behind backward point. Dilshan Madushanka covers a lot of ground to his left and plunges into the pool to flick the ball back in the playing area. The replay shows that Dilshan's left foot is in contact with the ropes but by then, he has managed to get rid of the ball and it is deemed a clean save. Two runs taken.

Not all that short but quicker at 83.4 kph, Duckett whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and tossed up at 73 kph, Ben leans over it and pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Spinning in from outside off on a length, Duckett backs away and punches it to cover.

Not much has changed so far. England are ticking along nicely over run-a-ball, with 78 runs coming in the last 10 overs. In contrast, Sri Lanka are still scratching their heads for that first wicket.

Fullish length, around off this time, and this is driven straight to extra cover.

FOUR! A bit too straight, and this is dispatched beautifully by Banton. Full and slanted into the pads, Banton whips it away well in front of mid-wicket and helps himself to another boundary.

A full and straight one to follow up, angled in towards middle and leg. Banton shows the full face of the bat and jams it out to mid on.

Another short ball, but this time the line and the length are both much better. Banged in halfway down the pitch and just outside off, Banton leaves it alone.

Full of a good length, on off, Banton looks to drive on the up but mistimes it to mid off.

FOUR! Sublime timing. Back of a length, a bit outside off and sitting up for the batter. Tom Banton stays upright and punches it down past cover and the ball speeds away to the fence.

Pace off again, it is the off cutter, which is bowled wide of the off stump. Duckett miscues it on the bounce to short cover.

Good length on middle and leg, driven on the up and straight to mid on.

FOUR! Duckett picks the gap to perfection, and this is poor from Sri Lanka, as they persist with the short ball to Duckett. Pace off and into the pitch, around leg stump. Duckett has all the time in the world and pulls it down in front of square for another boundary.

Good length outside off, Banton reaches out and hits it on the up, to deep cover and for a single.

Back of a length, at the bodyline, worked away through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Duckett has been prolific with the pull shot today. Dug in well short and on leg, at a gentle pace too. Duckett gets on top of the bounce and hammers it down to the deep square leg fence for a boundary,

Good length on the pads, angling in, Banton nudges it across to short mid-wicket.

Bowled from around the wicket now, on a hard length and angled into the batter. Duckett tucks it down past mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Malinga just can't resist trying too many things. Length ball, angling down leg, and Duckett flicks it firmly to the left of the fine leg fielder and picks up four runs.

The inside edge saves Duckett here. Full again, on middle and skidding through sharply. Duckett is caught on the crease and attempts a flick but is late on it, getting an inside edge onto the back leg.

Malinga goes for the straight yorker now, landing it right at the toes. Duckett solidly jams it out.

FIFTY up for Tom Banton as well, his 3rd score of 50 or more in the last 4 innings. Bowled really full on off, at 142.6 kph. Banton edges it down to deep third and picks up a single.

Pitched up on off stump, Duckett shows the full face of the blade and pushes it down to mid off.

Good length on the pads, flicked down to fine leg for acouple of runs.

Oh, any sort of deflection on that, and Tom Banton would have been out. Pitched full and straight, Duckett punches it straight back, but he hits it a bit too straight, and the ball crashes into the stumps at the other end. Liyanage tries hard to get his right foot across in the followthrough and get something on it, but fails to do so, and Banton breathes a sigh of relief.

Back of a length and outside off, Banton stands tall and hits it down to the right of sweeper cover for just one more.

Fuller and pace off, at just 108 kph, pushing it wide of the off stump. Duckett smacks it square on the off side and picks up a single to sweeper cover.

Just short of a good length and in the channel. This is patted down wide of the mid off fielder for a single.

Drinks Break! It's one-way traffic at the moment. Duckett, already past a brisk fifty, and Banton, nearing his own milestone, have just not allowed the Sri Lankan bowlers to settle. Almost half the runs have come off the boundary, as both have punished anything remotely loose. This looks like a great batting wicket and with a start like this, England would be eyeing another massive total with Brook, Root and a powerful middle order to follow. Sri Lanka would be desperate to get their first breakthrough as it already looks pretty ominous for them. Janith Liyanage is brought into the attack after the break. Bowler number six for the Islanders and he replaces Sahan Arachchige.

FOUR! Three boundaries in the over, and England are now flying. Just back of a length and around off, Duckett presses back and gets his hands through the ball, hammering it wide of mid off for four more runs.

FOUR! Malinga is the one who loses his patience early, and Duckett takes full advantage of the slip-up. Another short ball that is too straight and not high enough. Duckett crunches the pull, hitting it in front of mid-wicket for another boundary.

On a good length, on leg, and hitting the deck hard. Duckett gets a bit cramped for room, and stabs it down in front of short mid-wicket.

Full and straight now, Duckett nudges it across to square leg.

Malinga goes a bit fuller now, attacking the off stump, and Duckett blocks it off.

FOUR! Ben Duckett brings up his FIFTY in style, and the 100 is also up for England. Banged in a bit short and over middle, sitting up nicely for the batter. Duckett employs the short-arm jab and nails it in front of square leg for a boundary.

Eshan Malinga (1-0-10-0) returns to the attack. He replaces Dunith Wellalage.

Floated up around off, Duckett stays back and pats it down the ground for a run more. England are cruising at 99/0 after the first 15 overs.

Bowled from around the wicket and flighted on the pads, Banton works it 'round the corner on the leg side for a single.

SIX! High and handsome! Tossed up, on a dragged length and on off. Banton skips down the pitch and hits with the turn, whacking it over wide long on for a biggie. 12 off the over already.

Good length on off, sliding back on with the arm. Duckett pushes it out onto the off side and rotates the strike.

A touch fuller again, around off and sliding on. Banton drives it sweetly to extra cover, where the fielder makes a sharp stop down to his left, parrying it to mid off for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up outside off, Banton decides to step down the track and hammers it flat over extra cover for a boundary.

Floated up on the stumps, Tom Banton backs away a bit and drags the lofted shot back over the bowler's head for just a single. No timing on that.

Pushed through quicker now, and around off. Banton rocks back and forces it out to covers.

A tad shorter now, straighter too, and Duckett hops back to tuck it through mid-wicket for a run.

Nagging length around off, Duckett hangs back and stabs it down to extra cover.

Drifted in on middle, Banton stands tall and punches it with a vertical bat to long off for another single.

Good length on the pads, worked away square through the on side for a single.

Flatter delivery, on a length and on off. Banton camps back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Held back a bit and then pushed through flatter at the stumps, Banton opts to rock back and jams it out to extra cover.

Fractionally shorter, angled into the legs. Duckett wrists it away through square leg and turns the strike over.

Slower at just 80.6 kph, on a nagging length and drifted in from outside off. Banton goes back and across, shovelling it down to wide long on for a run.

Floated up around off, not all that full and this is punched down to long off for one more. It's all too easy at the moment for the English openers.

A nicely flighted delivery to begin with. This is full and straight, and Banton hits it down to long on for a single.

Sahan Arachchige is introduced into the attack, replacing Dilshan Madushanka.

Flatter one on a length, punched away from the crease and down to long off for one more.

Wellalage drops the length short around off, Banton backs away and smacks it down through extra cover for a run.

Tossed up again, full and drifted into middle and leg. Banton clips it away to mid on.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Duckett eases it along the carpet and down to long on for a single.

FOUR! That's a superb shot. This is flighted up at the stumps, Duckett sits down for the reverse sweep and nails it away just behind point for a boundary.

Good length at the stumps, worked away to the on side for a single.

Back of a length, in and around off, blocked off by Duckett.

Short ball on off, around head height. Duckett reaches up and gets on top of the bounce, pulling straight down towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Good length, a bit too straight. Duckett walks inside the line and flicks it wide of the fine leg fielder. Eshan Malinga moves to his right and dives in to save the boundary. Two more added to the total.

Full of a length, outside off and nibbling away. Duckett leans on and plays it down with soft hands to backward point.

Pitched fuller and attacking the front pad. Ben Duckett clips it away through mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs.

Short and wide, Banton stands tall and slaps it away to sweeper cover for a single.

Wide! Well directed but just too short. Banged in halfway down the pitch, right at the batter, but this one sails over Banton's head.

Powerplay 1 is done. England have been untroubled, barring that very first ball of the game. Sri Lanka will now be allowed as many as 4 fielders outside the inner ring till the 40th over.

A tad short and outside off, Banton presses back and punches it along the ground to long off for a single. England rumbling along nicely with 62/0 after the first Powerplay.

Drifted down leg, on a length, Tom gets across and whips it to left of short fine leg. The fielder in the ring there, dives and makes a sharp stop. Surely saves a few runs there.

Flat and full on leg, Duckett walks down a couple of steps and works it to long on for a single.

Full and quick outside off, Duckett lunges and drills it to short cover.

Length and around off, stabbed to short cover.

On the stumps on a length, Duckett smashes it down the ground with a flat bat. The man from long on cuts it off before the ropes. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Pierces the gap! Back of a length but with plenty of width on offer. Banton hangs back, lets the ball arrive and jabs it through cover for a cracking boundary. Such a delightful shot.

Very full on off, driven with a straight bat to mid off.

A little bit of inswing on a length, and this is nudged to short mid-wicket.

Full again, on off, Banton pings it straight to the fielder at mid off.

Full and speared around off, Banton knocks it to mid off.

Length-delivery on the stumps, Duckett steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Wide! Back of a length, pushed down leg. Duckett lets it be.

Dilshan Madushanka returns to the attack.

FOUR! Very creative from Banton and that brings up the 50 for England! Flat and quick on the middle stump, Banton employs the reverse sweep and nails it through the cover-point gap for a boundary.

Full on the sticks, Banton pushes it back to Dunith.

Quicker and fuller around off, Duckett lunges and drags it with a flick to deep square leg for a single.

Action replay of the previous ball. Duckett flicks this full ball to short mid-wicket.

Over the stumps to the left-hander. Full and outside off, flicked to short mid-wicket.

Bowls from 'round the stump. A full ball, on off, laced away to long off for a single.

Just one over for Eshan Malinga, and Dunith Wellalage comes on to replace him.

Full on middle and leg, whipped down to mid on. 9 runs off the over, 19 from the last 2 for England.

FOUR! Crunched away! A long half-volley, on off, Duckett hits through the line and creams it into the gap at cover for a boundary. Duckett is just dealing in boundaries right now as he gallops to 29!

An attempted yorker outside off, Duckett swings hard and fails to dig it out.

FOUR! Poor ball and it gets the treatment! Short and angled wide outside off, Ben Duckett latches on it and nails the square cut powerfully through cover and point for a boundary. And to make things worse for Asitha, it is called a No Ball as he has overstepped. Free Hit up next.

On leg and full, shaping in a touch, Duckett flicks it on the bounce to short mid-wicket.

Very full at 135.7 kph, swinging in on off, Duckett forces the drive to mid on.

Length ball, outside off, Duckett camps back and knocks it to short cover.

Short of a length, on middle and leg, Banton rocks back and whips it to the short mid-wicket region where the fielder makes a diving stop.

Good length on middle, nipping in, nudged off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! And again! Length-delivery angled at the leg stump. Banton picks the length early, hangs back, rolls his wrists and tucks it marvellously between short mid-wicket and mid on for another boundary. Brilliant batsmanship from Banton so far.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! On top of off, on a back of a length, Banton presses back and times it beautifully through short cover and mid off for a boundary.

At the armpits on a good length, Duckett tickles it behind to deep fine leg for a single.

Starts with a full ball, outside off, Banton drives it off the front foot. More of a slice off the outer portion of the bat so it rolls behind backward point for a single.

Eshan Malinga comes on to bowl now.

Length on leg with a bit of bounce, Duckett misses the flick off the back foot and is hit on the thigh pad. The ball deflects to square leg.

Full on the leg stump, Duckett flicks off the pads and places it wide of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

At 137.9 kph, bashed hard on the pitch, rising at chest height, Banton swivels and pulls it to deep fine leg for an easy single.

Nagging length, on top of off, Banton waits back and knocks it to short cover.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Duckett hangs back and punches it between cover and backward point. The ball teases both fielders and slows in the outfield. The backward point fielder gets there first and flicks the ball to the converging fielder, who relays the throw to the keeper. Three runs taken.

Fuller on middle, swished across to short mid-wicket.

In the channel, on a length, going straight on. Well watched and well left by Banton.

Onto the pads and full, Duckett whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Fuller one around off, Duckett drives it to mid off.

FOUR! Don't bowl him there! Wide outside off on a length, Ben Duckett gets the width on offer and just frees his arms by standing tall. Bisects the cover and point gap to perfection for a boundary.

On a length, angling in, Ben knocks it off the back foot to the left of mid-wicket. Dasun Shanaka moves across and stops it with a slide. Two runs taken.

Length ball, outside off, moving away, Ben taps it to backward point.

FOUR! Crisp and neat! Hits the deck hard, outside off, Banton rides the bounce and punches it through the gap at cover for a cracking boundary. No need to run for that.

A gentle outswing on a length, wide of off, Banton lets it go through.

On a good length, angling in and then shaping away. Banton is squared up as he looks to whip it to the leg side but gets it sliced to point.

Good length in the channel, Banton rocks back and dabs it to cover.

Length-delivery, outside off, Banton hangs back and punches it through backward point and cover-point for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

Beaten! Back of a length, shaping away around off, Banton loosely wafts at it and is beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller in length, outside off, Duckett drills it to mid off.

FOUR MORE! Duckett goes back-to-back! Short of a length, climbing on the batter. Duckett pulls it with a little bit of a top edge, but gets it over square leg and picks up another boundary.

FOUR! England and Duckett are off the mark! Too straight on the pads, full in length, Duckett flicks behind square - beating square leg to his left and deep fine leg to his right - for a boundary.

A little bit of outswing on a short length, outside off, Duckett stabs it to short extra cover.

Full and on the fourth stump, Duckett defends off the front foot.

Short of a length, at the body, Ben rocks back and pats it to the mid-wicket region.

Dilshan Madushanka to take the other new ball.

Brilliant start for Fernando - a maiden! Outside off on a length, skidding off the pitch. Banton plays it late and chops it on the bounce to the second slip fielder.

Nagging length, on middle and leg, Tom tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Fuller now, around off, Banton presses in front and defends it to cover.

Swings away again, a fraction fuller, outside off, Banton shoulders arms.

Closer to the off stump, on a length, shaping away. Banton lets it through.

Edged, but just short! Asitha generates a fair bit of outswing on a good length, outside the off stump. Tom Banton does not move his feet and throws his bat at it to thrash it to the off side but gets a thick outside edge. The ball just dies on the first slip fielder and goes on the bounce. Asitha starts on the money!

All in readiness for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle, and the Sri Lankan players can be seen in a huddle near the boundary ropes before taking the field. It will be the duo of Ben Duckett and Tom Banton to open the innings for England. Asitha Fernando has the new ball in hand, and he's ready to bustle in. Let's go...

PITCH REPORT - Waqar Younis is pitchside. He says that the pitches in Lahore have been more fruitful for the bowlers as opposed to Rawalpindi. However, this deck has less grass, and it is nicely rolled in as well. Younis then adds that there will be something in it for the pacers early on, but not much, and the spinners will come into the game more.

Sri Lanka (Unchanged Playing XI) - Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.

England (Playing XI) - Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jordan Cox (WK), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker (In for Jamie Overton) and Henry Crocombe.

The captain of England - Harry Brook says that they need to adapt to the conditions well. He admits the series has not gone the way they wanted, but believes there are still plenty of positives and lessons to take from it. Brook adds that winning games is always the goal, and he hopes the learnings from this series will serve England well in the long run, particularly a year from now. Informs that they have one change, with Sonny Baker coming in for Jamie Overton.

The captain of Sri Lanka - Kusal Mendis explains that the decision was influenced by the expected dew later in the evening, while also pointing to his side's strong bowling performances in the first innings so far in the series. He adds that Sri Lanka want to treat this as a proper contest, much like their previous matches. The idea, he says, is to win the game, carry momentum into the final, and give everything on the field. Adds that they are going with the same XI.

TOSS - It's time for the coin flip. Both captains - Kusal Mendis and Harry Brook - are out in the middle, and it lands in favor of Kusal. Sri Lanka have elected to BOWL first.

Conditions in Lahore - During last year's Champions Trophy, this venue produced plenty of runs. Five of the six matches saw a team cross 300 in the first innings, and batting generally felt like a pleasure rather than a battle. This year, though, the story has been very different. The average first innings score has dropped to just around 185 in four matches so far, and teams have failed to bat out their full quota of overs on three occasions. So the big question is whether that trend continues here. Will the batters finally find their rhythm, or will the bowlers keep calling the shots? We shall find out as the toss and teams are up next very shortly.

Time for some tweaks? Sri Lanka could shuffle their pack now that a place in the final is secure. Dushmantha Chameera, along with spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Sachindu Colombage, are all in contention for a run. England, with no final to chase, may see this as the ideal chance to manage their workload. Josh Tongue has been carrying a sore toe, while fellow Test quick Gus Atkinson could also be given a breather. That could open the door for Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe to get a proper look in. There is also room for fresh faces. James Coles and Mason Crane, both uncapped, have not played a game in the series so far, and Adil Rashid may be brought back into the mix as England weigh up their options.

Building blocks before the big stage - England's ODI journey since the last World Cup has been a tough one, to put it mildly. They have lost 24 of their 39 matches in the format, and 13 of those defeats have come away from home. In fact, in the same period, they have lost six out of six games on Pakistan soil. Perched eighth in the ICC ODI team rankings, England will be keen to sign off with a win and head into next month's challenge Down Under with a bit of momentum. Sri Lanka's position isn't that great either, as they are sixth in the rankings, but they have a much better record than their counterparts - winning 24 out of 42 ODIs since the global event three years back. They also carry the confidence of having successfully chased 430 against this very England side in their previous meeting. And with tough away assignments coming up in India and then New Zealand, they will want to make the most of every opportunity.

Chapter 6 - Hello and welcome to our coverage of the final league match of the tri-series as England take on Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium of Lahore. On paper, this contest carries little weight in the series standings, with the final already set between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Saturday. Yet with World Cup preparations gathering pace, every match, every over, and every moment of exposure matters more than ever. England have had a rough time of it, losing all three games despite looking pretty comfortable in each one. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, shook off that opening stumble and have found their rhythm nicely.

... MATCH DAY ...

A dead rubber? The ODI tri-series in Pakistan is winding down as the sixth and final league match brings Sri Lanka face-to-face with England in the double round-robin phase. The final showdown is already confirmed between the hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while the English side has already been eliminated from contention. This match, therefore, serves as little more than a formality. Yet in the bigger picture, it offers another valuable chance to refine strategies and smooth out any rough edges, with the ultimate objective of arriving at next year's ODI World Cup in Africa fully prepared and battle-tested. One half always missing - With less than a year to go to the World Cup, this tri-series was designed to give England experience of the pressure and permutations of tournament play. What they've learned is how it feels to stand on a rug that someone keeps pulling. Both their defeats have been of different proportions, but the common thread that links both was England's powerlessness to salvage the situation once the momentum turned against them. It has been a classic case of batters stepping up but the bowlers not reciprocating the same, and then vice versa. Against Sri Lanka, the batting did everything asked of it. Four of the top five went past fifty, and skipper Harry Brook led the charge with a record-breaking 202, yet the bowlers never found the knockout punch to turn that surplus into a result. Against Pakistan, the script flipped. Jamie Overton produced a monumental ten-over spell on the trot, finishing with a three-for, and nearly everyone around him chipped in with a wicket. England had the hosts reeling at 154/9 while defending 241, yet the killer blow still would not come. The real damage had been done earlier, when Root and Brook both faltered and left Ben Duckett's 105 to carry the innings almost single-handedly, with late impetus from Sam Curran and Gus Atkinson. The pattern points to a side that has yet to deliver both disciplines in the same game. Yes, they are missing some of their frontline bowlers like Archer, Rashid and others, but the encouraging part is that each half has already shown up on its own, so the day they arrive together could be memorable. Preps for the finale - England were counting on a Sri Lanka slip, and the Islanders slammed that door shut. Pakistan were obliterated for a mere 110, and the chase was wrapped up with barely a hiccup, a rollicking performance that ended England’s tri-series campaign. Pavan Rathnayake has been Sri Lanka's go-to man by a distance, following his memorable 130 against England with a fluent 79 against Pakistan earlier in the series. Right behind him sits Dasun Shanaka, whose sensational 97 off just 50 balls in that 430 chase against England underlined what a complete package he is. Whereas a couple of 60s from Janith Liyanage have helped to fortify their middle order. At the top, the job has fallen to Avishka Fernando, and when he fails, Kamindu Mendis steps in to rescue the order. What has been missing is a productive opening stand, and that is what Sri Lanka will be looking to deliver this time around. Kusal Mendis, meanwhile, has endured a forgettable tour. He has managed just 26 runs across three matches, including a rare diamond duck in one of them, and will be itching to put some runs next to his name. With the ball, Sri Lanka will walk into the final feeling good about the collective effort against Pakistan. The pace trio of Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando has grown into the job in the absence of Chameera and others, and the wickets have kept coming. Madushanka’s five-wicket haul last time out and Malinga’s four against Pakistan in the series opener have been the standout returns. The spin department is thinner on names but not on options. Even without Theekshana and Hasaranga, the likes of Sahan Arachchige, Liyanage and Colombage give the side enough resources to pick from. Team form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - SL - WWLLW | ENG - LLLWL. What to expect? If Rawalpindi was a batting haven, Lahore has been a different proposition altogether. The first-innings scores in the two matches here read 241 and 110, and on both occasions the side batting first fell short of batting its full quota of overs, with the target being reached in one way or another. Decent swing and bounce have been on offer here, which makes this a ground where stroke-making has never come easily. So whoever adapts quickest, with bat or ball, will have the final in their grip.