COLOMBO — Joe Root delivered a masterclass in controlled, intelligent batting to guide England to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday. His measured 75, coupled with a composed 48 from captain Jos Buttler, helped England chase down a target of 274 with 15 balls to spare, leveling the three-match series at 1-1 and setting up a thrilling decider.
After a disappointing batting collapse in the opening match, England’s response was one of calculated professionalism. The chase, while never truly in serious jeopardy, required a steady hand after early wickets, and Root provided exactly that. His innings, spanning 91 balls and featuring five fours, was the anchor around which England built their successful pursuit, silencing a vibrant home crowd and showcasing the depth of experience within the touring side.
A Foundation Built by the Spinners
The platform for England’s victory was laid by their bowling attack, particularly the spin duo of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. After being put into bat, Sri Lanka’s innings was a story of partnerships that failed to fully ignite, largely due to the stranglehold applied in the middle overs. Rashid was the standout, claiming 2 for 31 from his 10 overs, while Moeen chipped in with a crucial 1 for 37.
Sri Lanka’s total of 273 for 8 was built around a solid 86 from opener Pathum Nissanka and a belligerent 50 from Sadeera Samarawickrama. However, the innings lacked the explosive finale the hosts desired. England’s bowlers, led by the spinners, executed their plans superbly in the final 10 overs, restricting the flow of boundaries and taking wickets at regular intervals. Reece Topley and David Willey provided disciplined support with the new ball and at the death, ensuring no late surge could push the total beyond a challenging range.
Root’s Masterful Anchoring Role
England’s reply began shakily, with openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett falling within the first seven overs to the probing seam of Dilshan Madushanka. At 34 for 2, the game was in the balance. This brought Root to the crease alongside the in-form Dawid Malan, and the pair proceeded to dismantle any Sri Lankan momentum with a partnership of 120 runs. While Malan played the more aggressive role in his 51, it was Root’s serene accumulation that dictated the tempo.
Root’s innings was a testament to his game awareness. He expertly manipulated the field, rotating the strike with soft hands and punishing the rare bad ball. He was particularly severe on anything short, while his use of the sweep and reverse-sweep against the spinners kept the scoreboard ticking. Speaking after the match, Root highlighted the importance of his partnership with Malan: "It was about building a partnership. Dawid played beautifully, took the pressure off, and we just complemented each other."
The key to England’s chase was their handling of Sri Lanka’s spin threat, Wanindu Hasaranga. Unlike the first ODI, where Hasaranga ran through the middle order, England played him with caution and respect. Root’s approach was pivotal:
- He minimized risk, opting for secure singles over ambitious shots.
- He used his feet to negate the turn and variation.
- He targeted the other bowlers to maintain a healthy run rate.
Buttler Seals the Deal
Just as England seemed to be cruising, a mini-collapse of 3 for 22, including the wickets of Malan and the promoted Liam Livingstone, brought Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope. Root’s dismissal, caught in the deep attempting to accelerate, left England at 210 for 5, still needing 64 runs. However, any nerves were swiftly extinguished by captain Jos Buttler and the experienced Moeen Ali.
Buttler, who had been quiet by his own destructive standards, chose the perfect moment to find his rhythm. He launched a brutal assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers, smashing three sixes in a rapid, unbeaten 48 from only 40 balls. His partnership of 64 with Moeen (17*) took England over the line without further alarm. Buttler’s powerful finishing was a stark reminder of the firepower lower in the order, and he praised the team’s collective effort: "It was a really good performance. The bowlers set the tone, and then the way the guys batted was outstanding. Joe Root was the glue, and it was nice to be there at the end."
Looking Ahead to the Series Decider
The victory sets up a tantalizing winner-takes-all finale at the same venue. For Sri Lanka, the concerns will be their inability to post a truly daunting total on a good batting wicket and their failure to contain England’s middle order once again. Captain Kusal Mendis acknowledged the need for improvement: "We were about 20-30 runs short. We need to bat better in the middle overs and take our chances in the field for the next game."
For England, the win is a significant confidence booster. It demonstrated their ability to adapt and learn quickly from defeat, with the batsmen showing far greater application against spin. The return to form of Joe Root as the dependable anchor is perhaps the most positive sign, providing the perfect foil for the explosive talents around him.
The series decider promises to be a compelling contest. England will look to carry their momentum and clinical execution forward, while Sri Lanka, backed by a passionate home crowd, will be desperate to reclaim the initiative and secure a notable series victory. With both teams having shown their strengths and weaknesses, the final ODI is poised to be a fitting climax to a hard-fought contest.