England Thrash Sri Lanka in First ODI Thanks to Will Jacks All-Round Brilliance

England took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after defeating visiting Sri Lanka by a massive 89-run margin, with all-rounder Will Jacks delivering an outstanding performance with both bat and ball.

England captain Harry Brook won the toss at the Riverside Ground on Tuesday and elected to bat first. Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando and spinner Sachindu Colombage bowled with discipline from the very first over. For England, captain Harry Brook top-scored with 67 off 68 balls. Joe Root contributed 44 runs, while all-rounder Will Jacks played an important unbeaten innings of 46 off 47 balls. England were bowled out for 265 in 48.1 overs, falling short of completing their allotted 50 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Sachindu Colombage and Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets apiece.

Chasing 266 for victory, Sri Lanka came under immediate pressure from England’s bowling attack. Openers Kusal Mendis, who scored 42, and all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, who made 45, tried to put up some resistance, but their efforts were not enough as the rest of the Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled.

Will Jacks was the chief destroyer with the ball for England. The all-rounder produced a superb spell of off-spin, taking five wickets for just 22 runs in seven overs. Alongside Jacks’ five-wicket haul, Jamie Overton claimed two wickets for 21 runs. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for just 176 in 37 overs.

Jacks was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 46 with the bat and taking five wickets for 22 runs with the ball. The two sides will meet in the second ODI of the series on September 24 at Headingley in Leeds.