England opened the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka with an 89-run victory at Chester-le-Street on 22 September 2026.
Captain Harry Brook top-scored with 67 as England made 265 from 48.1 overs. Will Jacks then transformed the match with the ball, taking a career-best 5/22 as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 176 in 37 overs.
England vs Sri Lanka first ODI score
England: 265 all out in 48.1 overs
Sri Lanka: 176 all out in 37 overs
Result: England won by 89 runs
Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Date: 22 September 2026
Player of the Match: Will Jacks
Harry Brook leads England to 265
England chose to bat but lost Tom Banton for 10 with the score on 16. Ben Duckett responded with 32 from 29 balls before Dunith Wellalage trapped him lbw, leaving England 67 for two.
Joe Root and Brook rebuilt with a controlled third-wicket partnership. Root made 44 from 52 balls, while Brook scored 67 from 69 deliveries with seven fours. Their work gave England a platform on a surface that offered assistance to Sri Lanka's bowlers.
Brook departed with England 182 for four, and Jos Buttler followed for 31. Debutant leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage impressed by taking 3/44, including the wickets of Root, Buttler and Jamie Overton.
Will Jacks provides valuable lower-order runs
Jacks held England's innings together through the closing overs. He finished unbeaten on 46 from 47 balls and struck four consecutive boundaries in the 48th over to push the total beyond 260.
Asitha Fernando claimed 3/53 and completed the innings by bowling Josh Tongue. England were all out for 265 with 11 deliveries unused, leaving Sri Lanka a target of 266.
England apply early pressure in the chase
Sri Lanka reached 27 without loss before Gus Atkinson dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 14. Josh Tongue then removed Pathum Nissanka for 27, reducing the visitors to 48 for two.
Pavan Rathnayake and captain Kusal Mendis attempted to rebuild, but Jamie Overton broke the partnership. Sri Lanka were 84 for three before Jacks entered the attack and quickly changed the match.
Will Jacks takes maiden ODI five-wicket haul
Jacks trapped Charith Asalanka lbw for one and later removed Kusal Mendis for 42. Those wickets left Sri Lanka 105 for six and forced the lower order to attempt a steep recovery.
Dunith Wellalage counterattacked with 45 from 36 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. He carried Sri Lanka to 176 before Jacks had him caught by Jamie Overton.
Jacks dismissed Asitha Fernando two balls later and bowled Dilshan Madushanka with the final delivery of his seventh over. Sri Lanka lost their final three wickets without adding a run as Jacks completed figures of 5/22.
Complete all-round performance earns Player of the Match
Jacks' unbeaten 46 was England's second-highest score and prevented the innings from ending below a competitive total. His maiden ODI five-wicket haul then turned a useful contribution into a decisive match-winning performance.
Jamie Overton supported him with 2/21, while Atkinson, Tongue and Rehan Ahmed took one wicket each. England dismissed Sri Lanka with 13 overs remaining.
England take 1-0 lead in three-match ODI series
The 89-run result gave England a 1-0 advantage after their 3-0 T20I series victory over Sri Lanka. For Sri Lanka, Colombage's debut spell and Wellalage's late innings were the strongest positives from the match.
The second ODI is scheduled at Headingley on 24 September, where Sri Lanka will attempt to keep the series alive and England will have an opportunity to secure it.
Match information checked after the completed first ODI on 22 September 2026.
Match details checked after the result on 22 September 2026.