Jacks Stars as England Take 1-0 ODI Series Lead at Sri Lanka with a 89-run win
In the first ODI at Chester-le-Street on 22 September 2026, England gave Sri Lanka a run for their money to win by 89 runs. England were all out 265 in 48.1 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, before Sri Lanka were all out 176 in 37 overs. The win put England 1-0 ahead in the three-match series of ODIs. The star of the day was Will Jacks who made an unbeaten 46 and had a career-best 5 for 22. Joe Root, Harry Brook also played an important innings with Harry scoring 67 off 69 balls to take his team up to 178, while Joe Root scored 44 runs. Dunith Wellalage and Kusal Mendis were the only two who could score big for Sri Lanka in the process, with Wellalage finding himself in a battle to come up with a 45 while Mendis managed a 42, but neither of them managed to stop England from winning. England's Innings: Brook and Root Build the Platform: The English side got off to a flying start but an early benefit was denied by Tom Banton who was caught by Asitha Fernando. Joe Root helped to steady the innings though, and was useful partner to Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. Duckett's contribution was 32, before his dismissal by Dunith Wellalage. Root then joined with Brook and England became stronger. The two scored a combined 68 and England were well on top with a base of 135 for 2. Root was the next to fall for 44, bowled by Sri Lanka debutant Sachindu Colombage. Brook kept driving in runs and scored 67 off 69 with England in the lead. Not only was the pitch not all that good for the stroke, it was his innings that was important. This was a difficult time for England as Brook was dismissed. Soon Jos Buttler was bowled out and Rehan Ahmed was caught out after a brilliant fielding effort by Sri Lanka. Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer were all bowled out as England suffered six wickets for 65 runs. Will Jacks Provides the Late Boost: Will Jacks was a key finisher for England as their middle and lower order were under pressure. He was unbeaten on 46 of 47 balls and gave England the late boost they needed. Jacks picked up the pace and struck a total of 18 runs in the 48th over to surpass 250. Sri Lanka were eventually required to deal with England who were bowled out for 265 in 48.1 overs, making the target 266. Colombage impressed on his debut, taking three wickets for 44 runs while Asitha Fernando also picked up three wickets for 53. Their efforts meant that England were unable to score a larger total. However 265 turned out to be a competitive score on a tough surface to bat on. Sri Lanka's Chase Gets Off to a Difficult Start: The Sri Lankan chase was set to start slowly and from the outset, England's bowlers kept the pressure on. Kamindu Mendis was caught by Gus Atkinson attempting an attack and Jamie Overton and the other England bowlers found more opportunities. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson were the ones to break the deadlock first and Sri Lanka soon found themselves under pressure. Pavan Rathnayake was then dismissed after a brisk Tom Banton's catch at extra cover. Will Jacks later came at Charith Asalanka to take him LBW and Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble at 85 for 4. Overton added a valuable wicket when Janith Liyanage edged over the back of the stumps. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 105 for 6 when Jacks delivered a fine offside strike through the centre, off Kusal Mendis' back foot.Sri Lanka's hopes were then dashed as Jacks bowled Kusal Mendis for lbw and the Sri Lankan side had to call it a day for 105 for 6. Wellalage and Chameera make a bid for a comeback: The chase was the best test of resistance that Sri Lanka have seen from Dunith Wellalage. The left-hander hit the spinners of England and managed 45 off 36 balls, joining with five fours and two sixes. Wellalage was involved in a 42-run partnership with Dushmantha Chameera, which briefly raised Sri Lanka's hopes. But, at 133 for 7, England had a firm grip on the match. Bowlers were disciplined in England while the lower order failed to deliver the partnerships which Sri Lanka needed. Wellalage eventually collapsed, and with it the last real hope for a Sri Lankan revival. Will Jacks makes 5-wicket haul: Will Jacks had the entire over to himself. He got rid of Wellalage, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka to take his first five-wicket mark in ODI cricket. Jacks bowled with outstanding numbers of 5/22 in seven overs. His appearance was all the more impressive considering he had already racked up an unbeaten 46, while in the field, he had made some impressive tackles. He was the focus of England's win, having been both batsman and bowler to play a key part. Jacks proved himself to be of increasing value in the white-ball department an all-rounder, especially when both the batting and the bowling side of the ball was under pressure for England. Key Performers for England:
Will Jacks – 46* and 5/22
Jacks was undoubtedly one of the game's highlights. In the latter part of the innings he picked up four wickets in four balls, bringing England up with five unbeaten to turn the tide of the game for them.
He bowled seven overs and picked up career-high ODI stats of 5 for 22, which were one of the finest all-round performances of the game.
Harry Brook – 67
Captain Harry Brook was of major importance with the bat. His 67 off 69 balls pulled down England in the batting in the middle of the innings.
Brook was able to get England a competitive score on a tough surface despite their wickets coming off late in the innings.
Joe Root – 44
Joe Root was a good source of stability in the middle order. His 44 came as a godsend for England who had been bled white by Banton following his early exit, and to give Brook time to get rooted.
Jamie Overton – 2/21
Jamie Overton also had an important contribution at the bowlers end to take two wickets for 21 runs. His breakthroughs in the middle of the Sri Lanka's overs ensured a tight chase.
Sri Lanka's Standout Players
Dunith Wellalage was Sri Lanka's most prolific run-scorer (45/36). His aggressiveness lifted the spirits of the home side for a while but he had to wait for a few more players to come on the field and get him going.
Kusal Mendis hit 42 of 60 balls to try to hold the fight. But when he was replaced for 105 for 6, Sri Lanka was left with a tough challenge.
Sachindu Colombage, the debutant bowler, impressed with 3/44 and Asitha Fernando also picked up 3 wickets among the bowlers. Before they faltered, their performances held England to 265.
Match Statistics
- England: 265 all out in 48.1 overs
- Sri Lanka: 176 all out in 37 overs
- Result: England beat by 89 runs
- Series: England lead 1-0
- Top scorer:
- Harry Brook: 67 off 69
- Joe Root: 44
- Will Jacks: 46* off 47 balls
- Dunith Wellalage: 45 off 36 balls
- Kusal Mendis: 42 off 60 balls
- Will Jacks: 5/22
- Jamie Overton: 2/21
- Sachindu Colombage: 3/44
- Asitha Fernando: 3/53
England Takes 1-0 lead in the ODI Series
The 89-run win will give England a crucial edge in the three-match ODI series. There had also been a strong white-ball spell where the team had been beating Sri Lanka. The ODI series had already started with England having a T20I series win of 3-0.
The best aspect of the England side for England was the balance of their bowling and batting. The bowlers did a fine job of removing wickets all day long in Sri Lanka's chase, while Brook and Root brought in the late runs, and Jacks did so too.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will require more consistency from their bowling side in the upcoming match. Their bowlers were impressive in keeping England to 265 but they let go of regular wickets in the chase, which made it a challenge to go for the target.
Conclusion
England kicked off the ODI series with a commanding 89-run win at Chester-le-Street against Sri Lanka. Harry Brook and Joe Root had 67 and 44 respectively, respectively, while Will Jacks had an unbeaten 46 to get England into a competitive score of 265.
The second innings was England's turn as Jacks took a career-best 5 for 22. Sri Lanka had some resistance from Dunith Wellalage and Kusal Mendis but the regular wickets could not help the visitors from establishing a partnership.
The second ODI will be a crucial game for Sri Lanka to level the series with England leading 1-0. But England will be confident heading into the next game after their good, disciplined and well-rounded effort in the opener.
Brief scores: England 265 all out in 48.1 overs (Harry Brook 67, Will Jacks 46*, Joe Root 44; Sachindu Colombage 3-44, Asitha Fernando 3-53) beat Sri Lanka 176 all out in 37 overs (Dunith Wellalage 45, Kusal Mendis 42; Will Jacks 5-22, Jamie Overton 2-21) by 89 runs