England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the 1st ODI at Riverside Ground, with Will Jacks starring with an unbeaten 46 and career-best ODI figures of 5/22.
Match Summary
England took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after beating Sri Lanka by 89 runs at Riverside Ground.
England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first ODI on September 22, 2026, after posting 265 all out in 48.1 overs and dismissing Sri Lanka for 176 in 37 overs. The result gave England a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Harry Brook top-scored for England with 67, while Will Jacks made an unbeaten 46 to help England build a competitive total on a surface that was not easy for stroke-making. Jacks then produced the decisive bowling performance, taking 5 wickets for 22 runs from 7 overs.
Sri Lanka’s chase was led by Kusal Mendis with 40 and Dunith Wellalage with 45 from 36 balls. However, England continued to take wickets through the middle and late stages of the innings before Jacks completed his five-wicket haul in the final over.
Match Details
England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI match details, including the venue, date, series information and final result.
England vs Sri Lanka — 1st ODI
The first ODI of the Sri Lanka tour of England 2026 was played on September 22, 2026, at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. England won the match by 89 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
| Match | England vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | Sri Lanka Tour of England 2026 |
| Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Time | 12:30 PM Local / 5:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street |
| England | 265 All Out |
| Sri Lanka | 176 All Out |
| Result | England won by 89 runs |
| Series Score | England lead 1-0 |
Quick Scorecard
England posted 265 before bowling Sri Lanka out for 176 to secure an 89-run victory in the first ODI.
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 265 All Out | 48.1 | Won |
| Sri Lanka | 176 All Out | 37.0 | Lost by 89 runs |
England’s Top Performers
Harry Brook led England’s batting effort with 67, while Will Jacks finished unbeaten on 46. Jacks then produced the match-defining bowling performance with 5 wickets for 22 runs from 7 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Top Performers
Dunith Wellalage scored 45 from 36 balls and Kusal Mendis made 40, but Sri Lanka’s chase lost momentum as England continued to take wickets through the middle and final stages.
England Innings: 265 All Out
England reached 265 all out in 48.1 overs, with Harry Brook top-scoring and Will Jacks providing valuable runs late in the innings.
England were bowled out for 265 in 48.1 overs after being asked to build a competitive total at Riverside Ground. The innings was not straightforward, with Sri Lanka making regular inroads and keeping England from establishing a dominant partnership.
Harry Brook produced England’s leading contribution with 67. His innings provided important stability during the middle overs and helped England recover from periods when Sri Lanka’s bowlers were able to apply pressure.
Will Jacks then played an important late-innings role, finishing unbeaten on 46. His contribution proved particularly valuable in taking England’s total to 265, a score that ultimately gave their bowling attack enough runs to defend.
England Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Brook | 67 | Top score |
| Will Jacks | 46* | Unbeaten late-innings contribution |
Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept England under pressure throughout the innings. Sachindu Colombage, making his ODI debut, claimed 3/44, while Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando also took wickets.
Sri Lanka Innings: 176 All Out
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 176 in 37 overs as England’s attack consistently found wickets during the chase.
Sri Lanka Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Dunith Wellalage | 45 | 36 |
| Kusal Mendis | 40 | — |
Sri Lanka began the chase knowing they needed 266 to win, but England’s bowlers kept the required momentum under control. Kusal Mendis contributed 40, while Dunith Wellalage provided the most aggressive resistance with 45 from 36 balls.
Wellalage’s innings included five fours and two sixes and briefly gave Sri Lanka a route back into the contest. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end, preventing Sri Lanka from building a substantial partnership.
Will Jacks was eventually the decisive figure. His spell of 5/22 removed the remaining resistance and Sri Lanka were dismissed for 176 in 37 overs, giving England an 89-run victory.
Turning Point
England’s sustained pressure through the middle overs and Will Jacks’ late five-wicket burst turned a competitive contest into a comfortable victory.
The chase began to slip away from Sri Lanka when they reached around 101/5 during the middle overs. England’s bowlers kept attacking the batting lineup and prevented Sri Lanka from establishing the partnership needed to stay close to the target.
Dunith Wellalage’s 45 from 36 balls offered some resistance, but wickets continued to arrive before Sri Lanka could build sustained momentum. England’s ability to keep the pressure on meant the chase never developed into a late-innings run chase.
The decisive moment came in Will Jacks’ final over. Needing one more wicket to complete his five-wicket haul, Jacks removed the remaining resistance and finished with career-best ODI figures of 5/22. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 176, confirming an 89-run England victory.
Why the Moment Mattered
- Sri Lanka lost wickets regularly through the middle overs.
- Wellalage’s attacking innings could not be converted into a long partnership.
- Jacks’ final over completed his maiden ODI five-wicket haul.
- England closed the innings without allowing a late recovery.
Key Performances
Harry Brook provided England’s main batting contribution, while Will Jacks influenced the match with both bat and ball.
Will Jacks — 46* and 5/22
Will Jacks was the standout performer for England. He finished the innings unbeaten on 46 and then produced career-best ODI bowling figures of 5/22 from seven overs.
Jacks completed his maiden ODI five-wicket haul in the final over, ending Sri Lanka’s resistance and helping England dismiss the hosts for 176.
Harry Brook — 67
Harry Brook top-scored for England with 67. His innings provided stability during an England batting effort in which Sri Lanka’s bowlers regularly took wickets.
Brook’s contribution, combined with Jacks’ unbeaten 46, helped England reach 265 before their bowlers took control of the chase.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Dunith Wellalage scored 45 from 36 balls, including five fours and two sixes, while Kusal Mendis made 40. Their contributions provided Sri Lanka with some resistance, but England’s continued wicket-taking prevented the chase from developing into a sustained partnership.
Why England Won
England’s victory came from a combination of a competitive first-innings total and consistent wicket-taking during Sri Lanka’s chase.
Brook and Jacks Built a Defendable Total
England reached 265 all out despite Sri Lanka taking regular wickets. Harry Brook’s 67 provided the main contribution, while Will Jacks’ unbeaten 46 added valuable runs towards the end of the innings.
England Kept Taking Wickets
Sri Lanka could not establish the long partnerships required to chase 266. Kusal Mendis and Dunith Wellalage contributed 40 and 45 respectively, but England continued to break partnerships through the middle overs.
Jacks Changed the Match
Jacks’ all-round contribution was decisive. After scoring 46 unbeaten, he returned with the ball and claimed 5/22 from seven overs, completing his maiden ODI five-wicket haul.
Strong Finish With the Ball
England did not allow Sri Lanka to build late momentum. The innings ended at 176 in 37 overs, leaving England with an 89-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the ODI series.
Why Sri Lanka Lost
Sri Lanka’s chase lost momentum as wickets fell regularly and the batting lineup could not build the partnerships needed to reach 266.
Regular Wickets Disrupted the Chase
Sri Lanka struggled to put together sustained partnerships during the chase. Once they reached around 101/5, England were able to maintain pressure and keep the required scoring rate under control.
Middle-Order Resistance Was Not Enough
Kusal Mendis scored 40 and Dunith Wellalage added 45 from 36 balls, but Sri Lanka needed a longer partnership to challenge England’s total. Wellalage’s attacking innings eventually ended without the support required at the other end.
Jacks Removed the Remaining Resistance
Will Jacks proved particularly difficult to handle. His 5/22 from seven overs removed key Sri Lankan batters and completed his maiden ODI five-wicket haul.
The Chase Ended Well Short
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 176 in 37 overs, leaving them 89 runs short of England’s 265. The result put England 1-0 ahead in the three-match ODI series.
Key Stats & Records
Will Jacks’ all-round performance was the defining statistical feature of England’s 89-run victory in the first ODI.
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| England total | 265 all out |
| Sri Lanka total | 176 all out |
| Winning margin | 89 runs |
| Harry Brook | 67 runs |
| Will Jacks | 46* and 5/22 |
| Jacks’ bowling | 7 overs, 5 wickets, 22 runs |
| Dunith Wellalage | 45 off 36 balls |
Jacks’ Career-Best ODI Figures
Will Jacks finished with 5/22, his career-best ODI bowling figures and his maiden five-wicket haul in the format. His five wickets played a central role in dismissing Sri Lanka for 176.
England’s Series Position
The 89-run victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after the first match at Riverside Ground.
Series Impact
England take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka at Riverside Ground.
England Move Ahead 1-0
England’s victory gives them a 1-0 advantage in the three-match ODI series. Their 89-run win provides an early lead before the teams meet again in the second ODI.
Sri Lanka Need a Response
Sri Lanka will now look to level the series after being dismissed for 176 in the opening match. Their batting unit will need to produce a stronger response in the next ODI.
What the Result Means
England’s all-round performance gives them an early advantage in the series, while Sri Lanka must win the second ODI to keep the three-match contest level. The next match therefore carries significance for both sides as the series moves to Leeds.
What’s Next
England and Sri Lanka now move to the second ODI of the three-match series, with England holding a 1-0 lead.
England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI
The second ODI will be played on September 24, 2026, at Headingley in Leeds. England enter the match with a 1-0 series advantage after their 89-run victory in Chester-le-Street.
| Match | England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | September 24, 2026 |
| Venue | Headingley, Leeds |
| Series | England lead 1-0 |
Series Decider Still to Come
The third ODI is scheduled for September 27 at The Oval. The result of the second match will determine whether England can secure the series early or Sri Lanka can take the contest to the final game.
England will take confidence from Will Jacks’ match-winning all-round display, while Sri Lanka will look for greater consistency with the bat after being bowled out for 176 in the opening ODI.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI match and England’s 89-run victory.
England won the first ODI by 89 runs after scoring 265 all out and bowling Sri Lanka out for 176.
England scored 265 runs and were bowled out in 48.1 overs. Harry Brook top-scored with 67, while Will Jacks remained unbeaten on 46.
Sri Lanka were dismissed for 176 in 37 overs. Dunith Wellalage scored 45 and Kusal Mendis made 40.
Will Jacks was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 46 and taking 5 wickets for 22 runs from seven overs.
Will Jacks took 5 wickets for 22 runs in 7 overs, recording his career-best ODI bowling figures and maiden ODI five-wicket haul.
England lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after their 89-run victory in the opening match.
The second ODI is scheduled for September 24, 2026, at Headingley in Leeds.
Final Verdict
England opened the ODI series with an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka at Riverside Ground.
England produced a complete performance in the first ODI, scoring 265 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 176 in 37 overs. Harry Brook’s 67 provided the main batting contribution, while Will Jacks made an unbeaten 46 and then claimed 5/22 with the ball.
Sri Lanka showed resistance through Kusal Mendis and Dunith Wellalage, but regular wickets prevented the chase from developing into a sustained challenge. Jacks’ five-wicket haul completed England’s victory and gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
The second ODI is scheduled for September 24 at Headingley, Leeds, with Sri Lanka looking to level the series and England aiming to extend their advantage.
Sources
Match information and player statistics were checked against established cricket and sports news sources.
- Reuters: Match report covering England’s 89-run victory and Will Jacks’ 5/22 performance.
- AFP: Report on Will Jacks’ all-round performance and England’s first ODI victory.
- ECB: Official England team information and confirmed playing XI for the first ODI.
- ICC: England and Sri Lanka squad and series information.
- CricketWorld: Match coverage and score details from the opening ODI.
Match facts, scores and player figures in this report are presented in the context of the England vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI played on September 22, 2026.
