Sri Lanka Post 271/6 in First Innings as Mendis Leads the Way

The first innings was a good start as Sri Lanka chose to bat first and completed 271/6 in 50 overs at the R Premadasa Stadium. Their innings was stabilized by Kusal Mendis, whose unbeaten 93 guided the team through the critical stages.

The hosts started cautiously in the first power play, and they had scored 49 runs without the loss of any wicket in the initial ten overs. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara rotated the strike, and Sri Lanka were not threatened by the new ball attack of England. Nissanka was dismissed for 21, and was shortly afterwards followed by 27 from Mishara, and England tried to check the momentum with two quick wickets.

The pressure was on as Dhananjaya de Silva was lbw in a tight decision with only 10 runs. A brief cameo of 17 by Charith Asalanka before falling to Rehan Ahmed kept England in the hunt in the middle overs.

Kusal Mendis remained composed and mature among the frequent wickets. He scored his half-century off 61 balls, picking gaps with little trouble, and while punishing loose deliveries without undue risk. His partnership with Janith Liyanage was crucial to providing stability and momentum. Liyanage had a vital contribution to make with 46 off 53 balls, with five fours and two sixes, before succumbing in the death overs.

The late charge was by Dunith Wellalage, who finished unbeaten on 25 off 12 balls. His aggressive hitting lifted the scoring rate of Sri Lanka dramatically in the last powerplay in which the hosts scored 80 runs. Extras contributed 20 runs in terms of wides and leg byes.

England bowlers accepted the challenge, and Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, bagging 3 wickets at a cost of 44. Liam Dawson bowled with great control, giving only 31 runs in his ten overs, and Sam Curran and Rehan Ahmed had a wicket each. Despite these efforts, England could not prevent Sri Lanka from surpassing the 270-run mark.

Sri Lanka has scored 271 on the board, and they will feel they have provided their bowlers with something to defend in this Sri Lanka vs England 1st ODI.