Sri Lanka produced their strongest batting display of the tour as Kusal Mendis’ seventh ODI hundred set England a challenging target in the second ODI.
Kusal Mendis struck his seventh ODI century to lead Sri Lanka to 321 for 6 against England in the second ODI at Headingley, giving the visitors their most convincing batting performance of the tour.
Mendis’ hundred was supported by a series of valuable contributions throughout the order, with Kamindu Mendis making 54, Pavan Rathnayake 48, Janith Liyanage 32 and Pathum Nissanka 25.
The total is Sri Lanka’s highest first-innings score against England in an ODI since 2018 and gives the hosts a substantial challenge on a surface that offered good pace and true bounce with little lateral movement.
England’s bowlers did manage to keep the total within reach after Sri Lanka threatened to push towards 340. Gus Atkinson and Rehan Ahmed claimed two wickets each, while Jofra Archer eventually picked up one.
Kusal and Kamindu Build the Platform
Sri Lanka lost Nissanka early after he had made a promising 25 from 33 balls.
Atkinson found some movement with a fuller delivery that trapped Nissanka lbw. The decision survived review after replays showed umpire’s call on the wickets.
Kusal then joined Kamindu at the crease, and the pair transformed the innings with a superb 137-run partnership from 120 deliveries.
The stand came at a healthy scoring rate and ensured Sri Lanka could recover from the early setback.
Kusal had a major slice of fortune when Atkinson dropped a difficult chance from a skier with the Sri Lankan captain on 18. England would pay heavily for the missed opportunity.
Kusal Punishes England
Kusal made full use of the excellent batting conditions, repeatedly finding the boundary as Sri Lanka accelerated through the middle overs.
Between the 10th and 30th overs, Sri Lanka found at least one boundary in 11 of the 20 overs.
They brought up 200 in the 32nd over, putting a total in excess of 330 firmly within reach.
Josh Tongue endured a particularly expensive over when Kusal struck three fours and a six, bringing 19 runs from the over — Sri Lanka’s most productive of the tour.
Kusal eventually reached his century with a beautifully timed cover drive off Jamie Overton.
It was especially significant given that Overton had earlier been the bowler when Kusal was dropped.
Late Surge Lifts Sri Lanka Past 320
Kamindu eventually fell for 54, caught at long-on, ending the 137-run partnership.
Kusal and Rathnayake added another 40 at around a run a ball, but England finally removed the Sri Lankan captain when Rehan Ahmed had him caught at deep midwicket attempting a slog sweep.
His dismissal briefly slowed Sri Lanka’s progress, with the visitors reaching 237 for 4 at the end of the 40th over.
However, Rathnayake and Liyanage ensured the platform created by Kusal was not wasted.
The pair helped Sri Lanka add 84 runs from the final 10 overs, pushing the total beyond 320 and giving their bowlers a strong score to defend.
England Face Record Chase
Sri Lanka’s 321 for 6 represents a major improvement from their batting performance in the opening ODI at Chester-le-Street.
England now face a significant chase if they are to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
To win, England will need to complete their highest-ever successful ODI chase against Sri Lanka, adding another layer of intrigue to the second innings at Headingley.
