Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Matthew Henry

  1. How's stat?!

    No bowler has taken more wickets inside the powerplay in ODIs since the start of 2025 than Asitha Fernando (17 wickets at an average of 18.8).

  2. Eng 16-1

    That brings in Joe Root, who is averaging 80-odd in ODIs since the start of last year.

  3. Russel Arnold
    Ex-Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    That was a tremendous delivery.

    Into the right-hander, Tom Banton and Asitha Fernando straightens him up.

    Banton has not been using his feet as much as he should.

    Coaches tell you to keep hitting top of off. That is what happens there.

  4. wicket

    WICKET

    Banton b Asitha 10 (Eng 16-1)

    Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando celebratesGetty Images

    This, on the other hand, is a beauty! Asitha Fernando takes the fielders out the equation with a delivery that nips slightly and flicks off the off bail. Almost perfect.

  5. Eng 16-0

    Ah. Eyes are firmly on Sri Lanka today after their poor T20 showing.

    We're not 15 minutes in and Dilshan Madushanka has fumbled one over the rope at fine leg.

  6. How's stat?!

    27-year-old Tom Banton is making just his 26th career appearance in List A one-day cricket (18 for Somerset, eight for England).

    By comparison Joe Root had played in 186 List A one-day matches before his 28th birthday.

  7. Eng 12-0

    Ben Duckett has had plenty of opening partners in recent ODIs - Jamie Smith, Zak Crawley, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and even Rehan Ahmed.

    There's a bit of the Crawley-Duckett little and large partnership with Banton and Duckett. Banton towers over the left-hander as he offers some advice during Dilshan Madushanka's wayward first over.

  8. Russel Arnold
    Ex-Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    Dilshan Madushanka is getting it wrong.

    That form is the weight what Sri Lanka carry.

    It is about starting quick, and feeling you're ahead of this English team and the feeling that you can knock them over.

  9. Aatif Nawaz
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It is overpitching slightly, and he pounced on that length so quickly, Tom Banton.

  10. Eng 10-0

    Tom Banton has just pinged one for four so well the catering staff in the media centre are applauding...

  11. Eng 5-0

    Ben Duckett is another who needs some runs - more for his own confidence than anything after a lean run. He gets a nice full toss early to get under way.

  12. Russel Arnold
    Ex-Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    Asitha Fernando bowls during the first one-day international cricketGetty Images

    The weather today, the Sri Lankans will enjoy it.

    I think that's a factor which probably made Sri Lanka change the team late when they realised with the sun beating down like that, the moisture is going to disappear.

  13. Eng 1-0

    All set? One of those who needs to refind the rhythm of ODI batting in Tom Banton, especially when it comes to batting at the top of the order.

    He has only played one List A match since 2020 but is opening here in place of the injured Jacob Bethell.

  14. Dawid Malan
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    England captain Harry Brook and Sri Lanka captain Kusal MendisGetty Images

    I know Harry Brook has simplified it a lot by saying he wants to approach it like a longer T20 game. You have to find that rhythm of 50-over cricket, and it sometimes takes a lot of time when you have only played 20-over cricket.

  15. How's stat?!

    Chester-le-Street has been a good batting pitch in recent 50-over matches, the side batting first has posted over 300 in each of the last six matches here across domestic and international cricket.

    Today's stats are provided by CricViz analyst Kieran Parmley

  16. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    We think there has been a late change to Sri Lanka's line-up. The pitch is dry, and they have brought a spinner in, Sachindu Colombage.

  17. Liam Dawson celebrates wicketGetty Images

    The three T20s between these sides last week were a very one-sided affair with England emphatically winning 3-0.

    There are new faces in this 50-over Sri Lanka side, most notably captain Kusal Mendis.

    Sri Lanka are a place above England in the rankings too but Harry Brook's side did win 2-1 in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

  18. England: Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.

    Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dusmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Sachindu Colombage, Dilshan Madushanka

  19. 'I have confidence in my team'

    Sir Lanka captain Kusal Mendis: "I would also look to bat first. Unfortunately, we bowl first.

    "Of course, we have a lot of positive things in T20. But we have to learn so many things playing outside the country.

    "In one-day cricket we have a well-balanced side. Everybody in the batting line-up is really good. Last tournament, we did really well. I have confidence in my team.

    "Five bowlers and six batters we're playing today."

  20. 'We feel we can get a decent score on there'

    England captain Harry Brook tosses the coinGetty Images

    England captain Harry Brook: "We're going to have a bat. We feel we can get a decent score on there. Pitch looks dry, haven't been able to get as much water on it as they'd have liked, we'll see how it goes. Bringing Gus Atkinson in and Tom Banton open the batting and Joe Root is obviously back."

    On Mark Wood retiring: "He's a belter of a bloke. I enjoyed sharing the dressing room with him. He makes everyone laugh. He has been awesome. Wore his heart on his sleeve. Awesome to have in the changing room."