England beat Sri Lanka in ODI opener, Will Jacks five wickets

England secured a comfortable 89‑run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one‑day international at the Rose Bowl, taking a 1‑0 lead into the second match at Headingley. The match, played on a tired end‑of‑season surface, saw England dismissed for 265 in 48.1 overs, a far cry from the high‑scoring carnage of the previous week. Harry Brook, who had urged his teammates to sustain the “high octane” cricket that characterised England’s Twenty‑20 clean sweep, finished on 67, the highest score of the innings, under a warm September sun.

All‑rounder Jofra Archer proved pivotal, scoring a vital 46 not out before turning the game in England’s favour with a five‑wicket haul. His bowling dismantled the Sri Lankan lineup, reducing them to 176 and handing England a decisive edge. The win underscores England’s intent to blend aggressive batting with disciplined bowling, a strategy Brook championed earlier in the series. With the first ODI now behind them, England head into the second match at Headingley confident of maintaining momentum and extending their lead.