Sri Lanka Spinners Shine in ODI Series Opener Against England
Sri Lanka's spin attack delivered a masterful performance on a conducive slow pitch in Colombo, leading the home side to a 19-run victory over England in the opening match of the three-match ODI series on Thursday. Despite the absence of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was rested, the Sri Lankan bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly to bowl out England for 252 runs.
Spin Duo Steps Up in Hasaranga's Absence
With Hasaranga sidelined, legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay and left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage rose to the occasion, picking up key wickets to dismantle the English batting lineup. Vandersay finished with impressive figures of 2-39, while Wellalage contributed with 2-41, showcasing the depth of Sri Lanka's spin resources.
The slow pitch in Colombo offered plenty of grip for the spinners, allowing Sri Lanka to deploy slow bowlers from both ends effectively. The backup spinners, Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Charith Asalanka, shared 15 overs between them and claimed crucial wickets, including that of Joe Root, who was trapped lbw by de Silva.
Mendis Anchors Sri Lanka's Innings
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 271-6, thanks largely to a composed unbeaten knock of 93 off 117 balls from No. 3 batter Kusal Mendis. Mendis, who scored his first run off the 13th ball he faced, gained confidence against the spinners and struck 11 boundaries to anchor the innings.
The Sri Lankan innings saw a decent start from openers Kamil Mishara (27) and Pathum Nissanka (21), who put on 50 runs before both fell in quick succession. Mendis then formed a vital 88-run partnership with Janith Liyanage, who contributed a brisk 46 with two sixes and five fours. A late flurry from Wellalage, who smashed an unbeaten 25 off just 12 balls, including three fours and a six in the final over, propelled Sri Lanka past the 270-run mark.
England's Batting Struggles Against Spin
England's chase got off to a rocky start with the early dismissal of Zak Crawley, who scored just 6 runs in his comeback game after more than two years away from the 50-over format. Ben Duckett (62) and Joe Root (61) managed a 117-run stand, but the Sri Lankan spinners kept the scoring rate in check, making it difficult for the pair to accelerate.
The breakthrough came when Vandersay dismissed Duckett leg before wicket, breaking the century partnership. From there, Sri Lanka's spinners continued to apply pressure, with Wellalage taking two wickets in successive overs to reduce England to 165-6 in the 40th over. Despite aggressive cameos from Rehan Ahmed (27) and Jamie Overton (34 off 17 balls), England fell short by 19 runs, with Overton dismissed in the final over when 20 runs were needed for victory.
Key Performances and Match Highlights
- Kusal Mendis played a pivotal role with his unbeaten 93, providing stability in the middle order.
- Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage led the spin attack with two wickets each, exploiting the slow conditions effectively.
- England's Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, finishing with 3-44, including the wicket of Janith Liyanage.
- The match highlighted Sri Lanka's strategic use of spin, with spinners bowling 35 of the 50 overs in England's innings.
This victory gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, setting the stage for an exciting contest in the remaining matches. The performance underscores the importance of adapting to home conditions and the effectiveness of Sri Lanka's spin-heavy approach in limited-overs cricket.
