OUT! Caught & Bowled. Joe Root to Asitha Fernando. Off break length ball, to leg backing away Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short extra cover, caught by Root. England have restricted Sri Lanka to a total below par, especially considering how good the batting conditions looked early on. The pitch did slow up as the innings progressed, and once the spinners came into play, it became a very different challenge. Sri Lanka got promising starts, but the big knock never arrived. That's where England clawed their way back, tight lines, clever changes of pace, and sharp fields meant the batters found it hard to rotate strike through the middle overs. If the surface continues to grip like this, the chase won't be straightforward, but England have given themselves a genuine chance to level the series. Stay tuned for the chase.
49.2
OUT! Caught. Joe Root to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Curran. Root wins the battle!
49.1
Joe Root to Jeffrey Vandersay. Off break half volley, down leg side on the front foot working, inside edge to square leg for 1 run, shy attempt by Buttler.
48.6
FOUR! Rehan Ahmed to Dunith Wellalage. Googly length ball, down leg side on the front foot sweeping, well timed past fine leg for 4 runs.
48.5
Rehan Ahmed to Jeffrey Vandersay. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to extra cover for 1 run, fielded by Bethell.
48.4
APPEAL! Rehan Ahmed to Jeffrey Vandersay. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, missed for no runs, fielded by Buttler, appeal made for Caught. England burns the review.
48.3
Rehan Ahmed to Jeffrey Vandersay. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the back foot pushing, to silly mid off for no runs.
48.2
OUT! Stumped. Rehan Ahmed to Pramod Madushan. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump down the track pushing, missed, by Buttler. Rehan comes and gets the gift.
48.1
Rehan Ahmed to Dunith Wellalage. Googly length ball, down leg side on the back foot cutting, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
47.6
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
47.5
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, hit pad to short fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Rashid.
47.4
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to third man for 2 runs, fielded by Root.
47.3
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock ball half volley, middle stump on the front foot flick, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
47.2
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 1 run, fielded by Curran.
47.1
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run.
46.6
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, to leg on the back foot working, to short mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Bethell.
46.5
Will Jacks to Pramod Madushan. Off break length ball, outside off stump moves in front Scoop, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Root.
46.4
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to point for 1 run, fielded by Root.
46.3
FOUR! Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, well timed in the air under control past third man for 4 runs.
46.2
Will Jacks to Pramod Madushan. Off break length ball, to leg down the track working, to backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Root.
46.1
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Brook.
45.5
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Brook.
45.4
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, hit pad to backward point for no runs, fielded by Jacks.
45.3
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, off stump down the track working, to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, fielded by Ahmed.
45.2
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs.
45.1
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock length ball, to leg on the front foot slog sweeping, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward square leg for 1 run, dropped catch by Jacks.
OUT! Caught. Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake. Off break length ball, middle stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off, caught by Dawson. Into the safe hands.
44.5
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, off stump on the back foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Ahmed.
44.4
Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake. Off break length ball, off stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Brook.
FOUR! Pramod Madushan to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-In half volley, middle stump on the front foot flick, well timed past deep mid wicket for 4 runs. England clinch a five-wicket victory, keeping the series alive with a composed chase under pressure. They took a bold call by promoting Rehan Ahmed in the absence of Zak Crawley, but the youngster couldn't cash in, falling to Sri Lanka's wily, experienced spinner. From there, Ben Duckett and Joe Root steadied the ship. It wasn't flashy, just smart, risk-free cricket. They rotated the strike efficiently, found the odd boundary, and ensured the innings never lost shape. Sri Lanka's spinners did spark hope once again with two quick wickets, tightening the screws at a crucial stage. Just when the game threatened to drift, England's skipper and the veteran batter combined calmly, absorbing pressure and inching closer to the target. Sri Lanka refused to fade away, striking late by removing well-set batters to keep the contest alive deep into the chase. But in the end, Jos Buttler and Will Jacks provided the finishing touch and England crossed the line to square the series. Joe Root is adjudged as the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
46.1
Pramod Madushan to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-In half volley, down leg side on the front foot working, in the air under control to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, mis-fielded by Rathnayake.
SIX! Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control over long off for 6 runs.
45.5
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by de Silva.
45.4
Pavan Rathnayake to Will Jacks. Leg spinner full toss, off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Rajapaksha Vidana Pathiranalage.
45.3
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by de Silva.
45.2
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Vimukthi.
45.1
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the back foot driving, to extra cover for no runs, mis-fielded by Asalanka.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the front foot glancing, inside edge to short fine leg for no runs, fielded by Fernando.
44.5
Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Leg spinner length ball, down leg side on the back foot defending, to short leg for no runs, fielded by Mendis.
44.4
APPEAL! Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad to backward point for no runs, fielded by Liyanagamage, appeal made for L.B.W. The umpire indicates that the ball is sliding down the leg.
44.3
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 1 run, fielded by Wellalage.
44.2
FOUR! Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.
44.1
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Vimukthi.
Asitha Fernando to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-In half volley, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, mis-timed to point for no runs, fielded by Vimukthi.
43.5
Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In half volley, off stump on the front foot working, mis-timed to long on for 1 run, fielded by Rathnayake.
43.4
FOUR! Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Slower length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past deep extra cover for 4 runs.
43.3
Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, mis-timed to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Vandersay.
43.2
FOUR! Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump down the track flick, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.
43.1
Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Vandersay.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Fernando.
42.5
Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Googly half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge to mid on for 1 run, fielded by Rathnayake.
42.4
ହୈରି ବ୍ରୁକ lbw b Jeffrey Vandersay 42 (75)
OUT! L.B.W. Jeffrey Vandersay to Harry Brook. Googly length ball, off stump on the front foot sweeping, hit pad. That's a big moment in the game.
42.3
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge to backward point for 1 run, shy attempt by Vimukthi, fielded by Mendis.
42.2
Jeffrey Vandersay to Harry Brook. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Silva.
42.1
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Silva.
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SRI LANKA
OUT! Caught & Bowled. Joe Root to Asitha Fernando. Off break length ball, to leg backing away Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short extra cover, caught by Root. England have restricted Sri Lanka to a total below par, especially considering how good the batting conditions looked early on. The pitch did slow up as the innings progressed, and once the spinners came into play, it became a very different challenge. Sri Lanka got promising starts, but the big knock never arrived. That's where England clawed their way back, tight lines, clever changes of pace, and sharp fields meant the batters found it hard to rotate strike through the middle overs. If the surface continues to grip like this, the chase won't be straightforward, but England have given themselves a genuine chance to level the series. Stay tuned for the chase.
OUT! Caught. Joe Root to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Curran. Root wins the battle!
Joe Root to Jeffrey Vandersay. Off break half volley, down leg side on the front foot working, inside edge to square leg for 1 run, shy attempt by Buttler.
FOUR! Rehan Ahmed to Dunith Wellalage. Googly length ball, down leg side on the front foot sweeping, well timed past fine leg for 4 runs.
Rehan Ahmed to Jeffrey Vandersay. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to extra cover for 1 run, fielded by Bethell.
APPEAL! Rehan Ahmed to Jeffrey Vandersay. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, missed for no runs, fielded by Buttler, appeal made for Caught. England burns the review.
Rehan Ahmed to Jeffrey Vandersay. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the back foot pushing, to silly mid off for no runs.
OUT! Stumped. Rehan Ahmed to Pramod Madushan. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump down the track pushing, missed, by Buttler. Rehan comes and gets the gift.
Rehan Ahmed to Dunith Wellalage. Googly length ball, down leg side on the back foot cutting, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, hit pad to short fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Rashid.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to third man for 2 runs, fielded by Root.
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock ball half volley, middle stump on the front foot flick, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 1 run, fielded by Curran.
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run.
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, to leg on the back foot working, to short mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Bethell.
Will Jacks to Pramod Madushan. Off break length ball, outside off stump moves in front Scoop, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Root.
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to point for 1 run, fielded by Root.
FOUR! Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, well timed in the air under control past third man for 4 runs.
Will Jacks to Pramod Madushan. Off break length ball, to leg down the track working, to backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Root.
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Brook.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Brook.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot working, hit pad to backward point for no runs, fielded by Jacks.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, off stump down the track working, to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, fielded by Ahmed.
Liam Dawson to Pramod Madushan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs.
Liam Dawson to Dunith Wellalage. Stock length ball, to leg on the front foot slog sweeping, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward square leg for 1 run, dropped catch by Jacks.
OUT! Caught. Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake. Off break length ball, middle stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off, caught by Dawson. Into the safe hands.
Will Jacks to Dunith Wellalage. Off break length ball, off stump on the back foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Ahmed.
Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake. Off break length ball, off stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Brook.
FOUR! Pramod Madushan to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-In half volley, middle stump on the front foot flick, well timed past deep mid wicket for 4 runs. England clinch a five-wicket victory, keeping the series alive with a composed chase under pressure. They took a bold call by promoting Rehan Ahmed in the absence of Zak Crawley, but the youngster couldn't cash in, falling to Sri Lanka's wily, experienced spinner. From there, Ben Duckett and Joe Root steadied the ship. It wasn't flashy, just smart, risk-free cricket. They rotated the strike efficiently, found the odd boundary, and ensured the innings never lost shape. Sri Lanka's spinners did spark hope once again with two quick wickets, tightening the screws at a crucial stage. Just when the game threatened to drift, England's skipper and the veteran batter combined calmly, absorbing pressure and inching closer to the target. Sri Lanka refused to fade away, striking late by removing well-set batters to keep the contest alive deep into the chase. But in the end, Jos Buttler and Will Jacks provided the finishing touch and England crossed the line to square the series. Joe Root is adjudged as the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
Pramod Madushan to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-In half volley, down leg side on the front foot working, in the air under control to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, mis-fielded by Rathnayake.
SIX! Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control over long off for 6 runs.
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by de Silva.
Pavan Rathnayake to Will Jacks. Leg spinner full toss, off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Rajapaksha Vidana Pathiranalage.
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by de Silva.
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Vimukthi.
Pavan Rathnayake to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the back foot driving, to extra cover for no runs, mis-fielded by Asalanka.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the front foot glancing, inside edge to short fine leg for no runs, fielded by Fernando.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Leg spinner length ball, down leg side on the back foot defending, to short leg for no runs, fielded by Mendis.
APPEAL! Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad to backward point for no runs, fielded by Liyanagamage, appeal made for L.B.W. The umpire indicates that the ball is sliding down the leg.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 1 run, fielded by Wellalage.
FOUR! Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Vimukthi.
Asitha Fernando to Will Jacks. Reverse Swing-In half volley, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, mis-timed to point for no runs, fielded by Vimukthi.
Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In half volley, off stump on the front foot working, mis-timed to long on for 1 run, fielded by Rathnayake.
FOUR! Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Slower length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past deep extra cover for 4 runs.
Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, mis-timed to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Vandersay.
FOUR! Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump down the track flick, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.
Asitha Fernando to Jos Buttler. Reverse Swing-In back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Vandersay.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Fernando.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Will Jacks. Googly half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge to mid on for 1 run, fielded by Rathnayake.
OUT! L.B.W. Jeffrey Vandersay to Harry Brook. Googly length ball, off stump on the front foot sweeping, hit pad. That's a big moment in the game.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge to backward point for 1 run, shy attempt by Vimukthi, fielded by Mendis.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Harry Brook. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Silva.
Jeffrey Vandersay to Jos Buttler. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Silva.
Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by de Silva.
Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler. Stock ball half volley, to leg on the front foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs, run save by Rathnayake.
Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Vimukthi.