England posted 355 for seven against Sri Lanka in the third and deciding one-day international at The Oval on Sunday, setting the visitors a target of 356 to win the series.
Tom Banton produced the standout performance, scoring his first international century before making 126 as England recovered from an early setback. Ben Duckett fell for a duck in the second over, but Banton and Joe Root steadied the innings before Root departed for 18.
Harry Brook added 77, while Jordan Cox made a rapid 76 from 52 balls after coming into the side as the replacement for the injured Jos Buttler. England accelerated heavily in the closing stages, adding 247 runs in the final 25 overs to finish with a formidable total.
Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly, with Pathum Nissanka dismissed for one before Kamindu Mendis and captain-wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis also fell. Sri Lanka reached 74 for three after 14 overs, leaving them needing 282 more runs from 36 overs.
The match is the decider after England won the opening ODI by 89 runs before Sri Lanka levelled the series with a 16-run victory at Headingley.
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