Match

England won by 55 runs

• England: 386/5 (50 overs)
• Sri Lanka: 331/10 (45.1 overs)

England - 386/5 (50 overs)

Extras: 7

Sri Lanka - 331/10 (45.1 overs)

Extras: 8

Commentary

• England finally have a result to smile about, signing off with a win after a frustrating run of three defeats in games where they had their chances. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will take plenty of heart from their batting effort tonight, even if their bowlers have a few questions to answer. The lack of a fifth bowling option remains a concern for Sri Lanka, but it remains to be seen whether they tinker with this combination ahead of Saturday’s final against Pakistan. That’s all from us for tonight. We will be back on Saturday, nice and early, for what promises to be an exciting final. Until then, thank you for your company, take care, and goodbye!
• Harry Brook | England captain: [On their batting performance] Yeah, I think we've batted really well, apart from that first game, throughout the series, really. I think we've put on a fairly dominant performance with the bat, and then I think the way that we finished the game off there, we've learned a lot from that game when they chased 430. So that's really good to see. [On their plans] I wasn't getting nervy, to be honest. We had a clear plan, and we had a lot of clarity at the top of the mark with the bowlers. The ball was getting a lot softer with the dew as well, so I think that played a little bit of a factor. But yeah, the lads have learned a hell of a lot from that game we played them a couple of days ago, and to finish the game off like we did there was an exceptional effort. [I think collectively plenty to take forward?] Yeah, obviously we haven't had the series that we'd have wanted coming here. We would have obviously liked to be in the final on Saturday, but unfortunately we're not. And yeah, I think the lads have taken a lot of confidence from this series, albeit on the wrong side, I know, but lads are scoring runs, lads are taking wickets, they've got a lot of clarity at the top of the mark, and you can take a lot of confidence from that as well. So all in all, despite the losses, it's been a good series. It's been a good series.
• Kusal Mendis | Sri Lanka captain: [Did you think 400 was possible, and were you happy with chasing 387 on this surface?] Yeah, of course. I think we batted very well in middle and powerplay. Unfortunately, we (made) a little mistake myself. I did a couple of mistakes. That's why we can't chase this score. But I'm happy with my batting, we have played a very good game today. [Is conceding more than 380 runs on two occasions a concern?] I think the surface is good for the batters, and our bowling unit bowled really well (in the) first couple of overs. I think the guys batted really well and bowled really well. Last 15 overs, (we) bowled really well in death overs. Then I think 380, a little bit okay score in this pitch, but we (had) to chase this total. [How important was scoring runs personally ahead of Saturday's final?] I'm very happy I scored runs today. In the final, I have to bat more than today. I hope I can give 100% to my team.
• Ben Duckett | Player of the Match: [Does this win feel better after England's long wait?] Yeah, 100%. You just want to score runs and put us in a good position, and to get over the line is great. Yeah, we've played some great cricket, just haven't got the right side of the result. [What is it about Pakistani pitches that suits your batting?] I'll be honest, they're just really good pitches to bat on. You've seen the amount of runs in the series. So yeah, I think my previous tours of coming out there here has probably helped, but it's a great place to bat. [How important have your batting partners been in building these big stands at the top?] Yeah, Banton has been superb coming in at the top of the order, taking a lot of pressure off me. He scores very freely, and when Brooky walks out at number three, you know things are going to happen pretty quickly.
• 21:04 Local Time, 16:04 GMT, 21:34 IST: Harry Brook and Joe Root look slightly relieved as they walk back for the handshakes. England will head home with something to show for their efforts - a win after three defeats in matches they could have easily won. With Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake leading the charge at the top, Sri Lanka looked set to pull off another remarkable chase, much like they did in Rawalpindi. But England kept chipping away at the right moments, broke the key partnerships and eventually secured a 55-run win. Mendis made 89 off 71 before falling to Root, caught down the leg side. Janith Liyanage chipped in with 27 off 17, while Sahan Arachchige made 30. Both stitched together fiery stands with Rathnayake, adding 72 off 38 balls and 57 off 41 balls respectively to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt. Rathnayake smashed 118 off just 77 deliveries, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt for as long as he was at the crease. However, once Liam Dawson dismissed him in the 45th over, England wrapped up the game quickly. The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 4/49, emerging as England’s standout performer with the ball.
• 45.1: Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, out Bowled!! Knocked over, and Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 331! A consolation win for England as they emerge victorious by 55 runs. The left-hander swings across the line, but the ball tails in just enough to beat him on the inside edge and shatters the leg stump. Eshan Malinga b Sam Curran 1(4)
• Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
• Dilshan Madushanka, right handed bat, comes to the crease
• 44.6: Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, out Caught by Tom Banton!! A match-winning spell from Liam Dawson in this high-scoring affair! Fittingly, he finishes with another wicket, his fourth of the innings. He ends with figures of 4/49, his best in ODIs. Nicely tossed up, landing on the seam, and the right-hander miscues the heave down the ground. The fielder at long-on runs across and takes a superb sliding catch to his left. Asitha Fernando c Tom Banton b Liam Dawson 1(3)
• Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
• 44.5: Liam Dawson to Eshan Malinga, 1 run, flatter on the middle, Eshan Malinga tucks it to mid-wicket right in front of his pads
• 44.4: Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, 1 run, doesn't get much power behind it as Asitha Fernando hits it down the ground for a single
• 44.3: Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, no run, fires it just outside off and Asitha Fernando swings hard after making room, but makes no connection
• Asitha Fernando, right handed bat, comes to the crease
• 44.2: Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, out Caught by Sonny Baker!! Liam Dawson gets the big fish, and Pavan Rathnayake is gone! This should seal the game for England. Dawson keeps it flatter on the stumps, and the right-hander gets a top edge on the sweep. The ball flies straight into the hands of the fielder at short fine leg. What a massive breakthrough! End of another superb knock, but Pavan Rathnayake has failed to get his team over the line. Pavan Rathnayake c Sonny Baker b Liam Dawson 118(77) [4s-15 6s-1]
• Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
• 44.1: Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, a top edge on the slog sweep, and it goes high in the air towards deep square leg. The fielder can’t get across in time, and the ball runs away to the boundary for four
• Liam Dawson [9.0-0-43-2] is back into the attack
• 43.6: Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, no run, skids through off the length and Eshan Malinga gets an inside edge to the right of short fine leg. The single is on offer but Rathnayake rightly refuses it
• 43.5: Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, no run, short of a good length and the left-hander defends off the back foot