A composed performance in all departments helped Sri Lanka beat England in the first One Day International by 19 runs and take an early lead in the series.

Sri Lanka Innings

Batting first, Sri Lanka began cautiously but without losing a wicket in the opening powerplay. They scored 49 runs in the first 10 overs. The half-century was scored in the very next over as the opening batsmen began building an innings.

The first breakthrough came at the end of the 61st ball as Pathum Nissanka departed to end his 50-run opening partnership. They then went through the drinks break at 90/2 off the first 19 overs with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva located in the middle.

England pulled off a crucial move in the game with a good review in the 22nd over, getting Charith Asalanka out. Despite this, Mendis held the batting end beautifully and reached his half-century off 61 balls with good shots.
After crossing 150 in the 33rd over, the island nation went on to score through partnerships. In the second drinks break, the score was 175/4 in 37 overs, with Mendis well settled. The home team went on to accelerate in the last powerplay, reaching 200 in the 42nd over, then reaching 250 soon after.

The innings of Sri Lanka came to end at 271/6 in 50 overs, with the highest individual score made by Kusal Mendis with a dominating 93, followed by Dunith Wellalage’s unbeaten 25 to accelerate their innings.

England Innings

Chasing 272, an early wicket fell for England during their powerplay, and they accumulated 41 runs in their first 10 overs. A good partnership was constructed between Joe Root and Ben Duckett to pass 50 in the 12th over.

Both the batsmen got settled in well, as the score read at the midway mark--drinks break--was as high as 74/1. They reached their hundred in the 23rd over of the innings, as Root also got his fifty in just 72 balls, accompanied by Duckett's fifty soon after.
 

Thereafter, the balance changed as Duckett was removed after a review in the 28th over. Sri Lanka tightened their grip further by dismissing the captain Root soon after, through a successful review as well. England were 146/3 at the drinks break.

Sri Lanka's bowlers were the most dominant force in the final powerplay. Jos Buttler was again sent back to the pavilion through the use of another review. Regular wickets started to fall despite the achievement of the landmark of 200, followed by 250. Yet, the innings was completed in just 49.2 overs to reach only 252, falling short of the target by 19 runs.

"Player of the Match"

Dunith Wellalage was adjudged the Player of the Match for his impressive performance in the match, making 25 from 12*-in in the game, while also getting 2/41 in bowling, as well as making three

Result

Sri Lanka won this 1st ODI by 19 runs, demonstrating discipline in both batting and bowling to bring about a historic win.