ENG vs SL, 1st ODI: All-round Jacks helps England take 1-0 lead
Jacks was prolific with both bat and ball as England outplayed Sri Lanka in the first ODI. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Jacks was prolific with both bat and ball as England outplayed Sri Lanka in the first ODI. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Will Jacks’ career best 5-22 and an unbeaten 46 guided England to an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first One Day International at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.
After electing to bat, England posted 265 all out in 48.1 overs, before Sri Lanka was bowled out for 176 in 37 overs in reply as the home side continued its dominance in the run-up to next year’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
England has won five of its last six ODI fixtures, including two victories over the same opponent in Colombo in January.
“It wasn’t the easiest of surfaces but we want to be a team that can adapt to conditions and get a win when they are not in our favour and I thought we did that very well today,” England captain Harry Brook told Sky Sports.
“Jacks is an outstanding player and has been for many years now. The way he has come into this role in the middle order and played his part with the ball has been awesome.”
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Brook’s 67 from 69 balls boosted England’s innings further before he holed out at deep cover.
Jacks struck a fine unbeaten 46 from 47 balls, while Joe Root was bowled by debutant leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage for 44 from 52 deliveries.
Colombage, 28, picked up 3-44 in his 10 overs with Jos Buttler (31) another of his victims in a promising debut.
The wicket was a little slow, which made stroke-play more challenging, as England’s last five wickets managed only 69 runs after 300 had seemed within reach at one point.
Seamer Asitha Fernando took 3-53 in his 9.1 overs.
Captain Kusal Mendis scored 42 from 60 balls but Sri Lanka kept losing regular wickets and struggled to form partnerships, like it has struggled to do al through the tour.
Dunith Wellalage hit a brisk 45 from 36 deliveries but was one of three wickets for spinner Jacks in a single over to end the game.
“The bowlers did really well in the first innings, but our middle order was struggling a little when we were batting. We have to try and create something more special in the middle order and had to score more boundaries earlier (in the innings),” Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said.
The second match of the series will be played in Leeds on Thursday, before the final ODI at The Oval on Sunday.
Published on Sep 23, 2026
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