Final result
England won by 5 wickets
Player of the match: JE Root
Result · One-Day Internationals
Sri Lanka vs England
Result · One-Day Internationals
Venue par · 189Chase success · 48%POTM · JE Root
Match preview & overview
England chase down 220 at Premadasa to beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
England beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in the ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 24 January 2026. Sri Lanka won the toss, batted first, and were bowled out for 219. England chased it down with 223/5, Joe Root named Player of the Match for his contributions in the middle order. The result extended England's unbeaten run against Sri Lanka to five consecutive ODIs in 2026, all played across Pallekele and Colombo.
Sri Lanka's innings was built in the middle overs, where they scored 137 runs for 4 wickets between overs 11 and 40. The problem came at the death. Five wickets fell for just 46 runs in the final phase, which cost them the chance to set a more challenging total. 219 was a score England were always capable of chasing at this venue, even accounting for its historically balanced conditions.
England's reply was measured rather than aggressive. The powerplay produced 52/1, above the ground's average of 46, and that early momentum took the pressure off the middle overs. From overs 11 to 40, England added 126 runs for 2 wickets. They crossed the line at 223/5, with the result settled comfortably before it reached the final over.
Pitch report & venue insights
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo — 176-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2005–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
176
T20 matches hosted
189
Avg 1st-innings score
161
Avg 2nd-innings score
48%
Chase success rate
45
Avg powerplay runs
34%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
England's powerplay set the chase up early
England reached 52/1 at the end of the powerplay, comfortably ahead of the venue's average of 46 powerplay runs. That foundation meant they never needed to scramble, and the middle overs produced 126 runs for just 2 wickets to put the result beyond doubt.
Angle 02
Sri Lanka's middle overs kept them competitive
Angle 03
219 was above the venue average but not enough
Angle 04
Root's Player of the Match award reflects England's balance
Angle 05
England now lead the series 5-0 over five meetings in 2026
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top England batter markets may attract interest given Root's consistent contributions across this tour, though form can shift quickly in a series this one-sided.
- Sri Lanka's middle-overs batting has been their strongest phase across recent matches, which could make phase-specific runs markets worth considering in context.
- The venue's 48 per cent chase success rate across 176 ODIs is historically balanced, but England's current tour form skews the picture considerably.
- Death-overs performance has been volatile for both sides in this series; Sri Lanka lost 5 wickets for 46 runs in this match, which may be relevant to total-wickets markets in future fixtures.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Sri Lanka vs England
What was the result of the Sri Lanka vs England ODI on 24 January 2026?
England won by 5 wickets at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 219, and England reached their target of 220 finishing on 223/5.
Who won the Player of the Match award?
Joe Root of England was named Player of the Match. He played a key role in England's chase, particularly during the middle-overs phase when England added 126 runs for 2 wickets.
What is the head-to-head record between Sri Lanka and England in ODIs?
England lead the head-to-head with 49 wins from 97 ODI meetings. Sri Lanka have won 37, with 10 matches producing no result. England have won all five of their most recent meetings in 2026.
Where to watch Sri Lanka vs England ODIs in the UK?
Sky Sports Cricket holds the rights for England's overseas tours in most cases. Matches are available to stream via Sky Go and NOW TV for those without a satellite subscription. Check Sky Sports' schedule for start times, which for Sri Lanka fixtures typically fall in the morning UK time given the four-and-a-half-hour offset.
Who won the toss and what did they decide?
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted 219 all out, but England successfully chased the target down, winning by 5 wickets.
What is the average first-innings score at R. Premadasa Stadium?
Across 176 ODIs at R. Premadasa Stadium, the average first-innings score is 189. Sri Lanka's 219 was above that mark, though England's chase success rate at the venue historically sits at 48 per cent.
Photo credits (3)
- Wanindu Hasaranga — photo by 04 ATM 04, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Angelo Mathews — photo by paddynapper, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Kumar Sangakkara — photo by Sangakkara.jpg: TonyPatterson derivative work: Chamal N (talk), CC BY 2.0 · source