Sri Lanka They successfully defended their stronghold at the R. Premadasa Stadium and secured their 19th victory. England in the first ODI taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Opting to bat first on a surface that has historically favored the team that has set the target, the hosts posted a competitive total of 271/6, with a steady, unbeaten 93 behind them. Where in Mandy. In reply, England looked poised for a comfortable chase during the century stand between them Joe Root (61) and Ben Duckett (62). However, a dramatic middle-order collapse by Sri Lanka’s disciplined spin trio saw the visitors slump to 252 all out from 129/1. despite a sensational late batting effort by Jamie OvertonScoring 34 off just 17 balls, the Lankans held their nerve to end the contest in the final over.
Kusal Mendis guided Sri Lanka to 271 with England’s spin attack
The opening innings was a story of consolidation and late acceleration as Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 271/6 on a dry, sluggish pitch. Between the stand that opened after a steady 50 runs Pathum Nissanka (21) and Kamil Mishara (27), Adil Rashid (3/44) led the charge for England by sweeping both wickets in quick succession. Mendis then took charge by playing a masterclass in subcontinental anchoring. Mendis, who was struggling with apparent back spasms in the middle of the innings, hit 11 boundaries in his 117-ball stay and did not allow the English spinners to settle. He found the perfect partner Janith Liyanagecontributed a crucial 46 in a fifth-wicket partnership of 88 that steadied the hosts after they slipped to 124/4. Delayed explosive cameo Dunith Wellalage Including a 23-run final against Overton (25* off 12), which secured Lanka’s final total.
Joe Root and Ben Duckett fifties for nothing as England’s middle order collapses
England’s chase began with an early loss Zach Crawleybut Root and Duckett rebuilt the innings with a second wicket partnership of 117. Both batsmen reached their half-centuries, Root’s 44th and Duckett’s 9th in ODIs, mastering spin with reverse sweeps and nimble footwork. However, the game turned completely upside down in the 28th minute Jeffrey Vandersay (2/39) Duckett trapped LBW. The dismissal led to a stunning collapse in which England lost eight wickets for just 84 runs. captain Harry Brooke and Jacob Bethell they were both deceived in turn and stumbled by Mendis, while Wellalage (2/41) went through the lower middle order. From 129/1, England slumped to 213/9, leaving the tail with an insurmountable mountain despite Root’s anchor role earlier in the day.
Also WATCH: Sri Lanka unveiled the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy in grand fashion at the R Premadasa Stadium
England’s embarrassing away run continues as the 2027 World Cup qualifiers approach.
This 19-run defeat is a miserable milestone for the visitors as it is England’s 11th consecutive away defeat in the ODI format, stretching back to a multi-series streak. Currently ranked eighth in the ICC ODI rankings, England are very close to automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
With only the top eight teams (excluding South Africa and Zimbabwe) guaranteed a place, England’s recent struggles away from home threatened to force them into a qualifying tournament against lower-ranked nations. The obvious lack of over 50 templates and the constant lack of major pacers like Jofra Archer left Brendon McCullumside looking for an answer. They now need to win their remaining two matches in Colombo to avoid another series defeat and salvage crucial ranking points.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Sri Lanka beat England by 19 runs in the first ODI at 🇱🇰 RPS Colombo.
Sri Lanka lead 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.
This is England’s 11th consecutive ODI defeat away from Home. #SLVENG
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) January 22, 2026
Jamie Overton fought till the end but Sri Lanka won the first ODI by 19 runs to take a 1-0 lead
England have now lost their last 4 ODIs in a row#SLvENG
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 22, 2026
McCullum and Key completely destroyed the once almost unbeatable white ball team. Dismissable offences #SLvENG
— Deano (@deanocx) January 22, 2026
With Jamie Overton’s death he CAN’T go to the bowling World Cup
– No Context County Cricket (@NoContextCounty) January 22, 2026
Oh what a miserable winter as an England cricket fan😔Lost 3-0 in New Zealand in ODI series…Lost 4-1 in Ashes Test Series in Australia and now lost this 1st ODI in Sri Lanka #SLvENG
— BlueNoseBear⚽️🏏🐻💙 (@YouBearsssssss) January 22, 2026
He couldn’t blame him, but it couldn’t be that the mid-range had played terribly badly. They went from 129-1 to 165-6 in 12 overs. Another ODI defeat for England, they are really struggling in cricket #SLvENG
— Gaurav Jindal (@gj100596) January 22, 2026
What a game.. well played @OfficialSLC Despite the fact that he had a heart attack the last 3-4 times.
A good start to the series. . #SLvENG
— Ahamed Nishadh (@ahamednishadh) January 22, 2026
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 have never lost in a white ball game on 22 January 2026 and have proved it once again! #SLvENG
✅ Victory against Australia – 2006
✅ Victory against South Africa – 2012
✅ Victory against South Africa – 2017
✅ Victory against England – 2026 pic.twitter.com/mGvO7e3ocA— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 22, 2026
1️⃣-0️⃣ UP! 🇱🇰💪
Sri Lanka start the series on a high with a 19-run win against England!#SLvENG #SriLankaCricket #SriLanka #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/e9nVqfTzIi
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 22, 2026
Sri Lanka seal 1-0 lead in 3-match ODI series with 19-run win over England 🙌#SLvENG #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/QcM0aA9g67
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 22, 2026
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