England reach 85-2 against Sri Lanka in tri-series

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bowl first against England in their ODI tri-series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Sri Lanka brought in left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage for Sachindu Colombage, while opener Avishka Fernando also featured. Fernando made a 39-ball 49 when Sri Lanka stunned England at Headingley during the 2019 World Cup.

England made two changes following their defeat to Pakistan, with Josh Tongue and Liam Dawson replacing Sonny Baker and Adil Rashid.

England captain Harry Brook said he was happy to bat first despite losing the toss, citing the pitch conditions.

“We were going to have a bat today,” Brook said. “The pitch looks slightly drier, and feels slightly harder. Hopefully, we get some runs on the board and put them under pressure.”

Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (capt/wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

England: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jordan Cox (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue