JOE Root starred with both bat and ball as England pulled one back to level the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Having picked up the final two wickets of the Sri Lankan innings, Root hit a crucial 75 in the run chase as England won the second ODI in Colombo by five wickets with almost four overs to spare.
Buoyed by their win in the opening ODI, Sri Lanka opted to bat and started off the match with a boundary first ball. While Kamil Mishra fell early, England didn’t take a lot of time to introduce spin. Liam Dawson started bowling from one end as early as in the seventh over on a dry surface and once Pathum Nissanka smashed a six off Sam Curran, England introduced Will Jacks at his end.
Adil Rashid and Jacob Bethell were the next duo to get introduced as England gave Sri Lanka a taste of their own medicine by bombarding them with spin.
Sri Lanka’s run rate was kept in check as a result and even though Kusal Mendis broke free with a couple of fours in a single over, the hosts lost Nissanka in the very next over. An unnecessary run out also saw Mendis depart shortly after as England tightened their grip.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Chartih Asalanka then got together for a crucial stand as the duo negated spin quite well to resurrect Sri Lanka. But just when they both set themselves up for a big score, England struck again. It was all spin even at the death for England as they kept pegging Sri Lanka back with regular wickets before Root rounded off the innings with two wickets in the final over.
Chasing a tricky 220, England started off cautiously. It was Root who hit the first boundary after Rehan Ahmed’s dismissal. Root looked in sizzling touch at the start of his innings as he raced to 18 off 13 at one point.
Ben Duckett too grew in confidence as the innings progressed as he smashed a six off Dhananjaya before picking Dunith Wellalage for a couple of boundaries. England looked very comfortable at the end of the 15th over and it needed a couple of quick wickets for the home side to crawl back into the contest.
Duckett and Bethell departed in quick succession after which Root dug in deep alongside Harry Brook. The England skipper curbed his natural instincts and was willing to fight it out on this surface. Root on the other hand continued to negate spin with ease and brought up a 50 off just 52 balls. He did slow down post that but England were comfortably heading towards a win at the end of the 40th over at 178/3.
Asitha Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay removed the set batters to cause some flutter, but Jos Buttler came out all guns blazing and struck an unbeaten 33 off just 21 deliveries to get the job done for his side. (Cricbuzz)