SL vs ENG

Well, it's a wrap. Our live coverage ends here. That's all we had for you from this amazing thriller. England will be wanting to make a comeback when they face Sri Lanka again in the virtual decider this Saturday. It will be a thrilling contest, and you'd clearly not want to miss out on all the action. For now, this is Datrim Ray signing off on behalf of everyone at Sportskeeda. Thanks for following and bye for now!

10:08 PM local time and IST: Sri Lanka win by 19 runs and go 1-0 up in the series 

Kusal Mendis - 92 (116) | Pramod Madushan - 3/39
Ben Duckett - 62 (76) | Adil Rashid - 3/44

What a thriller at the R. Premadasa Stadium! England seemed down and out in the run chase before Overton turned the tide on the back of a counter-attacking 34 (17). Rashid and Overton gave England a glimmer of hope for an unlikely win, but Sri Lanka had already punctured the English batting order by then. 

Earlier in the day, it was Kusal who held the Lankan innings strong on the back of a fighting 91 before Wellalage finished it off with a flourish. England were tidy with the ball but allowed Sri Lanka to crawl to a massive score on this surface. That made the difference as the target got too big on them. The English batters failed to apply themselves and found it very difficult to operate against the Lankan spinners. 

Despite well-controlled fifties from Root and Duckett, England badly lost their way. The Sri Lankan spin attack got their act together to choke the visitors completely. DDS bowled some handy overs upfront, while Vandersay and Wellalage not only kept the run flow down but also spun the ball viciously. The spinners received plenty of help towards the end, which made life difficult for the English batters. Overton was the only lone ranger to stand tall in the dying moments of the run chase. He smashed the Lankan quicks to all parts to get England close to the finishing line, but not close enough. 

49.2 Pramod Madushan to Jamie Overton, CAUGHT! Madushan picks the final wicket and Sri Lanka win! It's a low full toss outside off. Overton looks to slice it through the air, but the ball hits him high on the bat. He loses control and chips this straight down the throat of Wellalage at extra cover. The TV umpire had no problems in deeming it a fair delivery. Overton's blinder gets England close but not close enough!

20 runs needed from the last over! Importantly Overton has the strike. Can he do it? Can Madhushan hold his nerve? All three results still possible..

48.5 Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, four! Incredible from Overton! Overpitched on leg. Overton clears his front leg and chips it away into the gap towards vacant deep square leg for a four. 

48.4 Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, Hammered! Pressure building on Sri Lanka now! Slower ball on middle. Overton walks down the wicket and then deposits it high and handsome over cow corner for a maximum. 

48.2 Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, Cries of catch it but lands safe! Asitha bangs it short this time. Overton can't seem to control it and gets a top edge. Luckily, the ball lands safely and Overton is able to come back for the second

48.1 Asitha Fernando to Jamie Overton, Slower ball outside off. Overton looked to take a swipe across the line but only manages an inside edge onto his pads. 

34 runs needed off 12 balls! Can Overton pull off something extraordinary for England? He will be on strike for the start of the 49th over and will want to keep the strike for pretty much every ball from now.

47.6 Pramod Madushan to Adil Rashid, slower ball outside off. Adil punches it back to the bowler for no run. Overton has the strike for the next over!