SL vs ENG: Joe Root's all-round wizardry helps England sink Sri Lanka by five wickets in 2nd ODI

Joe Root's perfect all-round show was to the fore as England notched a hard-fought five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI on January 24. This crucial win in Colombo successfully levels the three-match series at 1-1, keeping England’s hopes alive for the series decider. Anchoring the chase with immense discipline, Joe Root crafted a gritty 75 off 90 balls, ensuring England reached their target with 22 deliveries to spare.

Joe Root's all-round heroics in England's win

The pursuit of 220 proved to be a significant test for the visitors, as the surface stayed low and offered substantial assistance to the spin bowlers. Root navigated these conditions with tactical precision, utilizing the sweep and reverse sweep to keep the scoreboard moving and negate the spinners' threat. His pivotal 81-run partnership for the fourth wicket with captain Harry Brook stabilized the innings and effectively took the sting out of the Sri Lankan attack.

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While England’s middle order experienced some familiar wobbles against the turning ball, Root's calm presence prevented a total collapse. Having already notched a half-century in the series opener, he appeared comfortable throughout his stay, forcing the hosts to turn back to their pace bowlers for a breakthrough. Asitha Fernando eventually found the mark, trapping Root leg-before with a sharp yorker to end his exceptional innings.

By the time Root returned to the pavilion, England were 42 runs away from sealing the win in nearly ten overs. Jos Buttler stepped in to provide the finishing touches, scoring a brisk, unbeaten 33 off 21 balls. Alongside Will Jacks, who hit the winning runs, Buttler ensured there were no late surprises, securing a vital away victory for the side ahead of Tuesday's final match.

Sri Lanka's dismal batting

England's tactical decision to reinforce their spin department yielded immediate results during the second ODI. Captain Harry Brook utilized six different slow-bowling options to dismantle the Sri Lankan lineup, eventually bowling the hosts out with just three deliveries remaining in their innings. This strategy saw England deliver a staggering 40.3 overs of spin—setting a new national record and surpassing their previous high of 36 overs set against Pakistan in Sharjah back in 1985.

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Despite a promising start, Sri Lanka's batters struggled to build momentum as they repeatedly lost wickets in an effort to clear the boundary. The disciplined English attack ensured that no single player was able to reach a half-century. Kusal Mendis, often regarded as one of Sri Lanka's most proficient players against spin, looked fluent during his brief stay of 26 runs, but his innings was cut short when he was run out while attempting a risky single.

The series is now poised for a thrilling conclusion, with the deciding match scheduled for January 27 at the same venue.