England wrapped up the ODI series 2-1 with a crushing 223-run victory at The Oval, and Tom Banton was the man of the moment, collecting his first century in the format. Sri Lanka, chasing 356, were bundled out for just 132 in under 30 overs, which capped a miserable tour where they won only one of six internationals.
The foundation was laid by Banton and Harry Brook, who put together a 150-run partnership for the third wicket from 117 balls. England had crawled to 108 for 2 after 25 overs, scoring at 4.32 an over, but the pair flipped the switch and smashed 111 runs across the following ten. Overs 25 to 34 were the turning point, as both balls were still in use before the fielding side had to pick one. In the second half of the innings, England piled up 247 at nearly ten an over.
Banton began with a pair of crisp cover drives, then found five more fours before the powerplay ended. His 100 eclipsed the 73 he scored in Leeds. Brook, sluggish early with 11 from 25 deliveries and reprieved on 7, cut loose after Janith Liyanage’s over went for successive boundaries and a huge six over long-on. He finished on 77.
Jordan Cox then took charge at the death, striking 76 from 52 balls, including a cheeky reverse-scoop off Eshan Malinga. Jamie Overton chipped in an unbeaten 21 off 14. Asitha Fernando took 3 for 64 and Sachindu Colombage claimed 2 for 71, but the hosts were helped by several shoddy Sri Lankan fielding moments.
The chase was hopeless. Gus Atkinson and Sonny Baker removed the top three, and Sri Lanka slid from 53 for 3 to 77 for 5. Kusal Mendis alone offered resistance, hitting three sixes in his 35. Liam Dawson’s left-arm spin returned 3 for 26 as the innings folded.
Sri Lanka’s batting deserves the harshest criticism, yet a toothless attack and sloppy catching contributed equally to another heavy defeat.
