England succumb to spin-bowling choke as Sri Lanka go 1-0 up
Four host spinners share six wickets between them to seal victory despite Jamie Overton's late charge
Four host spinners share six wickets between them to seal victory despite Jamie Overton's late charge
Scorer: Chetan Kumar | Commentator: Alan Gardner
10.13pm: Time for the presentations... starting with Player of the Match Dunith Wellalage for his all-round display: "[Batting] Came to the wicket to support Kusal, because he batted really well. Last three overs we wanted to score some runs. [Bowling] Most important thing was pace variation and line."
England captain Harry Brook: [Toss?] "Very crucial, but SL played a good game and deserved victory. [Missing a deah bowler] Not really, bowled well through the middle. They got hold of us in the last over and that's part of one-day cricket. They're a good side, got some good spinners, make us miss the ball. They challenged us in lots of departments. [Duckett, Root fifties] They both came off and said it was hard to start and unfortunately we then lost a few wickets in succession, which cost us."
SL's Charith Asalanka: "Good win but a few areas we need to improve. We knew first 25 overs it's not going to spin, so we had a chat. Then suddenly started to spin after 25th, 30th over. [Wellalage contribution] Very big, because he didn't have time to bat but he did the damage, then a couple of wickets and catches. [Brook wicket turned] Just wanted to bowl a bit [today]."
Okay, that's your lot for this one. You can get stuck into Fidel Fernando's report and then stick around for more to come. We'll be back for the second match of the series on Saturday. Bye!
10.07pm: Sri Lanka cling on amid the dew at the death to claim a 1-0 series lead. Jamie Overton's one-man salvage effort not quite enough for England. The chase appeared well on track while Ben Duckett and Joe Root were at the crease, but they lost 5 for 36 as the game slipped away from them. This is England's fourth ODI defeat in a row, and sixth from their last seven - continuing the malaise that has afflicted them in the format over the last 2-3 years. SL bounce back from a run of three defeats to Pakistan in November, with Kusal Mendis and the spinners providing the keys to victory
J Overton c Wellalage b Pramod Madushan 34 (33m 17b 4x4 2x6) SR: 200
Right then. Madushan to bowl. England need 20 from six. Who's gonna be a hero?
"Overton was hit for those 23," notes Abhimanyu, of SL's final over. "Has a share of making up to do." Looks like he's giving it a go
"It's the hope that kills......." mumurs RobP
"England last over went for 23 runs," recalls Jay. "Beside that there isn't much difference in both the innings"
A delay, caused by movement behind the bowler's arm
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