ENG vs SL 3rd ODI Commentary - London (27 September 2026)

OUT! TAKEN! Excellent catch from Joe Root seals the game for England. Flatter, on middle and leg, Eshan Malinga looks to sweep it but doesn't connect well. The ball goes hard and low towards the leg slip, Joe Root, who bends low and takes a sharp low catch. England win by 223 runs.

Fullish, on off, Eshan Malinga pushes it to cover.

FOUR! That's a good shot! Fullish, outside off, Eshan Malinga opens the face of his bat and guides it magnificently through backward point for a boundary.

FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries from Malinga! Flighted up, on off, Eshan Malinga picks it well and chips it over mid off for yet another boundary.

Much fuller, on leg, Eshan Malinga flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Slightly down the leg side, Dilshan Madushanka looks to block it but wears it on his pads. A stifled appeal but turned down.

Fullish, on off, Dilshan Madushanka taps it to point.

Shortish, outside off, Eshan Malinga looks to slap it but misses.

Flatter, on off, Eshan Malinga drags it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on off, Dilshan Madushanka looks to punch it but edges it to third man for a brace.

Too full, on middle, Dilshan Madushanka pushes it to cover.

A bit short, on off, Dilshan Madushanka eases it to cover.

Slightly down the leg side, Dilshan Madushanka looks to block it but wears it on his pads. 

Fullish, on middle, Asitha Fernando blocks it back to the bowler.

Wide! Down the leg side, Asitha Fernando leaves it alone.

OUT! TAKEN! England are just one wicket away from the win now. Flatter, on off, Asitha Fernando looks to loft it but the ball hits the upper part of his bat. The ball carries towards Jamie Overton at mid on, who leaps high and takes a good catch over his head.

Much fuller, on off, Dilshan Madushanka taps it to mid off.

Fired in, on off, Dilshan Madushanka eases it back to the bowler.

Beaten! Flatter, outside off, Dilshan Madushanka looks to block it but misses.

Fired in, on middle, Dilshan Madushanka blocks it back to the bowler.

Bangs it short, on leg, Eshan Malinga sways away from it.

Full and outside off, Eshan Malinga pushes it to cover for a single.

FOUR! That's a good shot! A full toss, outside off, Asitha Fernando picks it well and steers it through covers for a boundary.

Angling in, on off, Asitha Fernando looks to drive it but edges it to third man for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Eshan Malinga looks to cut it but misses.

Angling in, on off, Eshan Malinga taps it to cover.

Tossed up on a length, wide outside off. Malinga leaves it alone.

Good length outside off, held back a bit, and this one turns in. Malinga makes a watchful block.

Beaten! Length again outside off, sliding straight on. Eshan Malinga leans back to ease it through the off side but misses.

Too much spin! Good review from Malinga. Tossed up around off, a bit fuller and turning it in. Malinga goes for the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. There's an appeal for LBW, and the finger goes up. Eshan Malinga has reviewed it. The third umpire has a look at it. Nothing on UltraEdge, but Ball Tracking shows that the ball would have turned past the leg stump. The on-field decision is reversed to Not Out.

Floated up outside off, eased away through covers for a single.

Flatter one on middle, Asitha Fernando goes for the slog-sweep, hitting it flat and on the bounce towards wide mid on. No run is taken.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's the last recognized batter gone for Sri Lanka, and they are now staring at a hefty defeat at 106/8, needing 250 more runs. A skiddy bumper from Jamie Overton, banged in right at the batter. Liyanage looks to take it on but is hurried off the deck and it's a complete miscue off his blade. The ball lobs towards the gully region, where the keeper, Jordan Cox, circles around and gloves it safely.

Oh, that is a hefty blow to the helmet. Another sharp bumper from Overton, dug in short at 143 clicks and right at the batter. Asitha Fernando looks to duck but the ball brushes the upper part of his helmet and flies down to deep third for four leg byes. Asitha is a bit rattled and the physio is out to perform a concussion check. The batter seems fine and the helmet gets changed.

Short of a length, slanted into the batter. Asitha Fernando backs away and slices it down to deep third for a single.

Hard length, over the top of off and middle. Malinga makes room and cuts it right off the stumps, down to deep third for one more.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length and over the sumps, Fernando backs away again and swings across the line, missing it by a mile.

Oh, that is inches away from knocking the off stump out of the ground. Overton realizes that the batters are backing away way too much and goes full and straight. Fernando does move past the leg stump, but the ball pitches on off and seams away late, going past the stumps.

Floated up around off, not all that full. Colombage goes for the big slog sweep but the ball turns and bounces away well past the blade.

Tossed up around off, stroked away to extra cover.

OUT! STUMPED! No doubt about that one from Jordan Cox and Sri Lanka are now 104/7. Sachindu Colombage gives the charge early and Liam Dawson sees him coming. Dawson holds it back a bit, drifting it into the pads. Colombage ends up running past the ball as he tries to swing it leg side, and Cox has all the time to dislodge the bails. England are just 3 wickets away from the win now.

That's sharp turn, a ripper from Dawson. Tossed up wide of the off stump, Eshan Malinga lunges to block but the ball turns in, going between bat and pad. Cox collects it sharply high to his right.

Fullish length outside off, dabbed away thrugh backward point for a single by Malinga.

Tossed up on leg stump, Liyanage steps out and meets it on the full, driving it wide of long on for a single.

Overton starts off with a beauty. Full of a good length, pitched just outside off, and gets it to seam away late. Janith Liyanage gets forward to drive but is beaten.

Back of a length and over middle, Liyanage gets right behind the line to make the block.

Back of a length, just outside off. Janith Liyanage rocks back and dabs it down to cover-point.

Short and wide, Liyanage stands tall and slaps it down to sweeper cover for a single.

Hard length around off, Colombage hops back and across to the off side, looking to duck but it isn't short enough, so he just blocks it off.

Pace off, full and on off. Colombage bunts it in front of covers and pinches a quick single.

Tossed up around off, Janith Liyanage leans on and drives it uppishly through mid off for one. 100 up for Sri Lanka.

Oh, in the air again but in the gap as well. Flighted up around off, Sachindu Colombage goes for the drive and chips it through mid off for one more.

Nice and full on off, driven along the turf and down to long off for another single.

Drifted into middle and leg, Colombage defends it down the pitch.

Floated up on the pads, nudged away iwth soft hands to the leg side.

Tossed up, full and on off, Sachindu Colombage leans on and pushes it to extra cover.

Fullish, on off, Janith Liyanage taps it to mid off.

FOUR! That's a terrific shot! Fullish, on leg, Janith Liyanage gets low and sweeps it magnificently over backward square leg for a boundary.

SIX! Up and over! Flighted up, outside off, Janith Liyanage uses his feet and powers it high and over long on for a bigge.

Nice and full, on leg, Janith Liyanage flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fired in, on middle, Sachindu Colombage blocks it back to the bowler.

Fullish, on leg, Sachindu Colombage knocks it to mid on.

Much fuller, on leg, Janith Liyanage flicks it to mid-wicket.

A bit short, on off, Janith Liyanage punches it to cover for a single.

Too full, outside off, Sachindu Colombage pushes it to mid off for a single.

Gives it air, on leg, Janith Liyanage knocks it to mid on.

Flatter, outside off, Janith Liyanage pushes it through mid off for a single.

Quicker, on leg, Sachindu Colombage flicks it to mid-wicket.

Flatter, on off, Janith Liyanage taps it back to the bowler.

Much fuller, on off, Janith Liyanage pushes it to cover.

Fullish, on off, Janith Liyanage knocks it to long off for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Sachindu Colombage tucks it to square leg.

Nice and full, on leg, Sachindu Colombage flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fired in, on leg, Janith Liyanage flicks it to short third.

FOUR! Edgy! Flatter, outside off, Dunith Wellalage looks to play at it but gets a bottom edge. The ball races away through fine leg for a boundary.

OUT! TAKEN! Sri Lanka are falling apart. Flatter, outside off, Dunith Wellalage gets low and looks to sweep it. Gets a top edge as the ball goes high in the air towards short third. Sonny Baker calls for it and completes the catch. Sri Lanka are 82/6 after 16.2 overs now.

Flatter, on off, Sachindu Colombage taps it back to the bowler.

Fullish, on middle, Sachindu Colombage eases it back to the bowler.

Fired in, on middle, Sachindu Colombage blocks it to the off side.

Too full, on middle, Sachindu Colombage stabs it to mid on.

Flatter, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to point.

OUT! TAKEN! Excellent catch from Jamie Overton. That's a double disaster for Sri Lanka. Root drops it short, on off, Charith Asalanka rocks back and looks to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs towards mid on. Jamie Overton runs back, stretches his hands and holds onto a magnificent catch.

Flatter, on off, Dunith Wellalage taps it to cover.

Fullish, on middle, Dunith Wellalage digs it back to the bowler.

Fired in, on off, Dunith Wellalage lunges and blocks it back to the bowler.

Flatter, outside off, Dunith Wellalage pushes it to cover for a single.

Turning away, on off, Pavan Rathnayake edges it to short third.

Flighted up, on off, Pavan Rathnayake drives it through covers for a single.

Quicker, outside off, Charith Asalanka has a waft at it but misses.

Much fuller, on off, Charith Asalanka pushes it to backward point for a single.

Turn and bounce, on off, Pavan Rathnayake looks to drive it but edges it to short third for a single.

OUT! RATHNAYAKE IS RUN OUT! That was a needless run. Flatter, outside off, Charith taps it to short third for a quick single. Jofra makes a direct hit at the batter's end, and Pavan was short. The umpire checks for a possible run out. The replays show that Jordan Cox dislodged the bail with his gloves before the direct hit. The umpire had raised his finger, but it had to be overturned. Not Out shows on the big screen. Wait, the rules suggest that if the stumps are uprooted with a direct hit, the decision has to be OUT. Everyone is confused, but the powerful throw from Jofra gives England the wicket. Jordan Cox breathes a sigh of relief. 

Keeps it full, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake steers it through point for a single.

Angling in, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to cover for a quick single.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake ducks under it. Wide called for height.

Shaping in, on off, Pavan Rathnayake punches it to cover for a single.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to cover.

Slightly shorter, on leg, Charith Asalanka tucks it to mid-wicket.

Flatter, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake looks to slap it but misses. The keeper fails to collect it as the batters cross.

Quicker, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to mid off.

Fired in, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to cover for a single.

Short, on leg, Pavan Rathnayake tucks it to mid-wicket.

Will Jacks sways it down the leg side, Pavan Rathnayake looks to flick it but misses and Jordan Cox takes the catch. A loud appeal for caught behind and the finger goes up. Pavan Rathnayake sends it upstairs straightaway. Ultra Edge shows the ball was brushing his pads. The onfield decision is overturned to NOT OUT.

Fullish, on off, Pavan Rathnayake pushes it to point.

A full toss, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to mid off.

Back of a length, on off, Charith Asalanka fends it to point.

Bangs it short, on leg, Charith Asalanka pulls it over mid-wicket for a brace.

Much fuller, on off, Charith Asalanka pushes it to mid off.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Charith Asalanka looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball lobs and lands safely towards the off side. Dot.

Full and straight, Charith Asalanka pushes it to cover.

Flatter, on off, Charith Asalanka taps it to short third.

Short, just outside off, Charith Asalanka cuts it through covers for a single.

Fullish, on off, Pavan Rathnayake pushes it to cover.

A bit short, on leg, Pavan Rathnayake turns it through backward square leg for a single.

Fired in, on off, Charith Asalanka punches it through covers for a single.

Quicker, on off, Pavan Rathnayake eases it to mid on.

Back of a length, nibbling away from the fourth-stump line. Rathnayake watchfully keeps it out.

Pitched fuller around off, shaping away a wee bit. Rathnayake leans across to drive and gets it off the outside half of the blade past backward point for a couple of runs.

Straighter in line, fuller than a good length. Rathnayake covers the line and blocks it off.

Full-pitched delivery on off and middle, Rathnayake gets halfway forward and pushes it down to mid off.

FOUR! Full and darted into the pads, Rathnayake gets his hands out in front and clips it over and in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Up and over again. Short and wide outside off, Pavan Rathnayake gets up on his toes and slaps it over point for another boundary. 10 off Archer's first over.

Back of a length, around off, Rathnayake stays back and blocks it back to the bowler.

Full of a good length, attacking middle stump. Rathnayake pushes it to extra cover and scampers through for a single.

That in-between length, and it is the wobble-seam delivery that slants back in late. Mendis is caught back on the crease and gets nearly cut in half, jamming it down behind point.

FOUR! Short of a length and over middle, Kusal Mendis gets inside the line and heaves it over mid-wicket. The ball lands in the outfield and trickles into the fence. 50 up for Sri Lanka.

Excellent response from Gus. Good length on off, getting it to straighten down the line. Kusal Mendis looks to defend but the ball nips past the outside edge.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gus Atkinson has the last laugh here, and that is a huge wicket in the context of the game. Atkinson reverts back to the short stuff, getting it in around shoulder height and the ball angles back in a bit as well. Kusal Mendis moves to the off side, looking to pull it over deep mid-wicket but gets rushed and gets a top edge. Tom Banton at mid-wicket runs behind and pouches it to his left. Kusal departs after a quick start and Sri Lanka are 53/3 after 9 overs.

Baker hits a hard length and angles it into the pads. Mendis tucks it away down to deep backward square leg for a single.

Pitched up to the batter, angling it in from off stump. Rathnayake gets nicely forward to make the block.

That's a big hand from Banton, as the ball seemed destined for the fence once it left the blade. Pitched up outside off, Rathnayake plays a cover drive filled with lazy elegance, but Tom Banton dives to his left and makes a half-stop. Just a single.

SIX! Nonchalantly done. Length ball, straighter in line, and it is the attempted outswinger that slides back on. Mendis flicks it off the pads, nailing it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Bashed in on a hard length around off, getting some extra lift off the deck as well. Kusal Mendis rises with the bounce to cut but is beaten by the pace and bounce.

FOUR! Kusal Mendis continues to play some eye-catching shots. Full and straight, Mendis leans on and drills it just inches to the right of the stumps at the other end and the ball races to the fence.

Short and over middle, Kusal Mendis swivels on it again and short-arm jabs it over mid-wicket. Jofra Archer chases it down from mid on, and the batters do well to come back for the third run.

Good delivery! Pitched full and wide outside off, moves away late, and shoots up off the deck as well. Kamindu Mendis drives and misses, and even the keeper is a bit taken aback by the extra movement and carry.

Good length in the channel, solidly blocked off by Mendis.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gus Atkinson breaks the budding stand and Sri Lanka are two down inside the first 7 overs. Atkinson bowls it a smidge fuller, sliding it back in towards middle and leg. Kamindu Mendis picks it up and looks to swing it away, but ends up skewing it high towards mid-wicket. Ben Duckett settles under it nice and early and pouches it well. A bit of a nothing shot from Kamindu in the end.

Just short of a good length, pushed back in from wide of the off stump. The ball slides right on and Pavan Rathnayake stays back to defend.

Back of a length, in and around off. Rathnayake hangs back to defend again.

WIDE! Superb take from Jordan Cox. Fullish length, darted sharply down leg. Kamindu Mendis misses the flick and Cox springs across to his right, pouching it with the outstretched glove.

Just back of a length, tighter line around off. Kamindu plays it late and down to the right of backward point for a quick single.

Full-pitched delivery on off, no swing on offer at the moment. Kusal Mendis punches it back down the deck.

Very full again and outside off, driven into the turf and wide to the left of Harry Brook at mid off for a single.

Hard length in the channel, tapped away wide of extra cover for another quick run. Good running between the wickets from these two.

Excellent calling and running again. Back of a length, in and around off. Kusal Mendis stays back and bunts it down in front of covers before pinching another run.

FOUR! A touch fuller, angled back into middle. Kamindu Mendis swings it away off the inside half of the blade and past square leg for a boundary to end the over. Sri Lanka are 33/1 after 5 overs, chasing 356.

A risky single, but Ben Duckett missed the direct hit at the keeper's end. Good length on the pads, Kamindu Mendis tucks it down to square leg and sets off for the single. Replays suggest that a direct hit would have been really tight.

SIX! Picked up and dispatched. Short ball at the batter, Kusal Mendis swivels on it and pulls it deep into the stands behind the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Hard length on middle, straightening a bit. Mendis presses back and then leans on a bit to defend.

SIX! That's begging to be hit. Atkinson goes for the short ball again, but gets it only around hip height and right into the swinging arc. Kusal Mendis goes from down to up, swinging it high and long over deep square leg for another biggie.

Good length in the channel, Kusal solidly blocks it out to covers.

Good length again, around off and angling in. Kusal prods halfway to defend and gets hit high on the bat.

WIDE! Darted in towards the pads, but this one angles down leg.

Ooh, that nearly sneaked past the inside edge. Good length on off, slides back in. Kusal Mendis looks to push it towards cover but gets it off the inside edge and in front of square leg for a couple of runs.

Short of a good length, and in the channel. Kusal hangs back and taps it down behind point.

Fast, full and straight, at 143 kph and in the blockhole. This one dips in late and Kusal Mendis does extremely well to drop the bat down in time, squeezing it off the inside edge towards fine leg for a single.

Shorter one angled into the ribs, Kamindu flicks it away aerially down to the left of fine leg. Gus Atkinson keeps it in play and a single is taken.

Good length, trying to angle it back in from wide outside off. Kusal plays it with soft hands, and defends it to covers.

Length again, in and around off, hitting the deck hard. Kusal Mendis presses back to defend.

On a hard length, tighter line around off. Kamindu Mendis hops to the off side to defend it down.

Back of a length, slightly outside off, and hit away off the back foot to backward point.

Atkinson goes a bit wide on the crease, and slants it back in towards the top of off stump. Kamindu hops up a bit to block it off.

Crunching drive, but it's equally well-stopped. Full and outside off, Kamindu Mendis drills it hard into the turf and towards cover, where Tom Banton springs to his left and makes a good save.

FOUR! Aerial, but well over the infield and that's the first boundary of the chase. Slightly pitched up and wide of the off stump, Mendis lifts it over cover-point and the ball dribbles away into the vacant fence behind.

Good length, angling back in from outside off. Kamindu Mendis jabs it out.

Ooh, that's a lovely start from Baker. Full and on off, it is the outswinger that swings late, and Nissanka is squared up completely as he looks to keep it out.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Sonny Baker has his maiden ODI wicket, and it is another jaffa of a delivery. Baker hits a good length at 143 kph, getting the ball to move away sharply from the off stump line. Pathum Nissanka camps back and just has a poke at it, nicking it behind to the keeper. Jordan Cox does the rest with the gloves on, and Sri Lanka are rocked early.

A bit fuller on off, shaping away and this one hits the bat hard as Kusal Mendis defends it right under the eyes.

WIDE! A bit more aggression from Baker, as he brings out the bouncer. This is dug in short and at the batter, but the ball angles down leg. Kusal ducks under it.

Just back of a length, over off and middle, Kusal Mendis gets right behind the line of the ball to make the block.

Oh, my! That's moved away so sharply. Pitched up, outside off at 143 clicks, and moving away late. Kusal watches it all the way and makes a late leave as well to avoid the outside edge.

A wide and a big wicket off Baker's first over. Full and outside off, Kusal Mendis collapses the front knee to drive but smothers it away to mid off.

Off the mark right away. Atkinson hits the perfect length, keeping the line in and around off. Pathum Nissanka presses forward and insid-edge it past square leg for a single.

Lovely channel from Gus. Around the wicket to the left-hander, pitching it a touch fuller than a good length, and getting it to nibble away. Kamindu Mendis looks to drive it away but is beaten on the outside edge.

Good length again, outside off, Mendis laces the drive while standing tall but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Back of a length, just outside off, Mendis stays upright again and punches it down to point.

Beautifully bowled. Fuller now, angled in from outside off, but Gus gets it to move across the left-hander. Mendis is sucked into the drive but the ball breezes past the outside edge.

A bit of extra bounce to end the over, and that's a very tidy first over from Gus Atkinson. Good length on off, angling it in. Kamindu Mendis stays back and fends it down to the off side. Just a single off the over.