Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga struck half-centuries but Sri Lanka folded for 185 in 42.2 overs in the opening ODI in Durham. 

Chris Woakes returned with impressive figures of 10-5-18-4 to ensure Sri Lanka wasn’t able to get away with a big score especially after Perera and Hasaranga collaborated to make 99 for the fourth wicket.

Sri Lanka handed three debuts and were short on ODI experience with one player having experience of one ODI, one having played six and only three players have played more than 20 ODIs. From the playing eleven, only Perera has an ODI century and clearly, the onus was on him to drive the side forward once they were put in. To put things in prespective, Eoin Morgan has played more ODIs (244) than the whole of the Sri Lankan side (198).

The visitors lost three wickets inside the powerplay but the Sri Lanka captain scored at a strike rate of more than 200. With 47 for 3 in ten overs, Hasaranga adopted the cautious approach while Perera kept things running. Hasaranga took 12 deliveries to get off the mark and was on 10 off 30 balls at one stage. Perera meanwhile got to his half-century off 46 balls to help the side make some recovery.

In the 19th, Hasaranga opened his arms and took on Adil Rashid to find some rhythm. Sri Lanka had made good progress and were 143 for 3 before Woakes left them hurting once again. Hasaranga fell to Woakes short ball while Dhananjaya Lakshan was caught at first slip. Moeen Ali removed Ramesh Mendis but the big wicket came in the 33rd over when Perera was caught in the deep on the leg side trying to take on David Willey.

There wasn’t much from the other batsmen once Sri Lanka slipped to 152 for 7 but England were slightly guilty of being sloppy. Chamika Karunaratne and Binura Fernando presented two run out opportunities but the hosts managed to fluff both. Joe Root then dropped a regulation catch at first slip to given Karunaratne another reprieve. None of which would prove costly against the inexperienced Sri Lankan side.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 185 in 42.2 overs (Kusal Perera 73, Wahindu Hasaranga 54; Chris Woakes 4-18) vs England.

Source: Cricbuzz